Can't seem to keep my alk stable

[redfishbluefish]

There are a number of parameters that impact dosing volumes of two-part. That being said, the volumes you are dosing are in line with the volume of water. Note that Brightwells two part is more concentrated than others (B-Ionic and Randy’s two part), with the alkalinity portion at 3000 meq/L.

My guess is that your magnesium is a touch on the low side and you are therefore getting precipitation of calcium carbonate. Does it “snow” when you add the alk portion? Get you mag goosed up a bit closer to 1400 and see if that helps stabilize your alk. If not, I’d start to increase alk slowly…..go up to dosing 13 mls…..and test frequently.

 

[kschweer]

It's a little cloudy when I add the alk but doesn't really break up like when precipitating.

 

[kschweer]

I think what is really frustrating me is that I can't figure out why I'm having such drastic fluctuations in a day.

 

[redfishbluefish]

Well is it packed to the gills with hard corals?

 

[kschweer]

I guess It is. But I'm not seeing the big dips in my calcium like I am with my alk.

 

[redfishbluefish]

I don’t think you mentioned your salt, but the inconsistent or fluctuating levels of calc in ReefCrystals is why I’m weaning my tank off of ReefCrystals. One batch was so high in calc, I didn’t dose calc for two months…only alk. So I’m not surprised that one would be low while the other is high.

Again, first move your mag up and then start playing with more alk…..but go slow.

 

[kschweer]

I have been using aquavitro salinity for about 2 years. The parameters have been spot on since I have started using it.

 

[kschweer]

I'm thinking of splitting my dosing to half in the morning and half at night. Maybe this way the swings won't be so drastic until I get this under control. What do you guys think?

 

[jgraz]

I'm thinking of splitting my dosing to half in the morning and half at night. Maybe this way the swings won't be so drastic until I get this under control. What do you guys think?

I had great luck doing it this way. I would dose both cal and Alk a few min apart right before bed, then again in the morning before I left for work. I was very seldom that I forgot to do it. If I did I would just do it as soon as possible. I recently started using dosers but those seem to be giving me problems. I just might go back to manual dosing until I can afford a reactor.

 

[Zippy69]

I had great luck doing it this way. I would dose both cal and Alk a few min apart right before bed, then again in the morning before I left for work. I was very seldom that I forgot to do it. If I did I would just do it as soon as possible. I recently started using dosers but those seem to be giving me problems. I just might go back to manual dosing until I can afford a reactor.

+1, I do the same thing.

 

[redfishbluefish]

My dosing pumps do it three times through the night for both alk and calc.....and not at the same time; they are separated by hours.

 

[Tommyboynj]

How's the alk issue working out?