dtfleming Posted September 30, 2007 Share Posted September 30, 2007 Started using b-ionic as my two-part. the recommended dosage is 1ml per 4gal. I was dosing this amt. and my alk and calciums lvls dropped. I increased the dosage amount and lvls came back up but now my ph is at 8.6 So all you B-Ionic users out there I need your help to find a happy medium. Link to comment
TUDIZZLE Posted September 30, 2007 Share Posted September 30, 2007 how often are you dosing? What is the exact amount you started dosing? What were your levels before you started dosing? Link to comment
dtfleming Posted October 1, 2007 Author Share Posted October 1, 2007 Everyday with dosing, amount is 6ml which is 1ml per 4gal on a 26gal tank. Lvls before dosing were cal-420ppm, alk 8dkH, and pH 8.3 Link to comment
TUDIZZLE Posted October 1, 2007 Share Posted October 1, 2007 Your over dosing, you need to take into account the actual amount of water in your tank. My BC29 hold only 20 gallons of water. You need to take into account the displacement of water from the sand and the rocks in your tank. Also if your levels are at 420 what is the need for dosing? Your SW may already have calcium and other supplements added to them. What kind of salt are you using? Also if you do decide to go with the B-ionic try to determine what your calcium depletion is on a daily basis. You may only need to dose every third day. Link to comment
dtfleming Posted October 1, 2007 Author Share Posted October 1, 2007 Sorry the 420 was maintained with Kent Marine Calicum. I may change salt mix Im using Oceanic which has poor buffer capacity. dosing with the b-ionic dropped my cal and alk lvls but raised my pH. Link to comment
TUDIZZLE Posted October 1, 2007 Share Posted October 1, 2007 well I'm stummped then. I still think you may have been dosing too much but you would think that would raise your calcium levels too high. Check out this article about instant ocean and the use of buffers causing an unnaturally high ph. This may be what is causing your ph problem article Link to comment
dtfleming Posted October 1, 2007 Author Share Posted October 1, 2007 Tks for the info, great article Link to comment
Fishfreak218 Posted October 1, 2007 Share Posted October 1, 2007 do you add it in the morning before the lights come on like the bottle says to? Link to comment
dtfleming Posted October 1, 2007 Author Share Posted October 1, 2007 yes i add it in the morning Link to comment
Hinecken Posted October 1, 2007 Share Posted October 1, 2007 What test kit are you using for PH? If you haven't tried another kit, take it to your LFS. They should have a PH probe that they can use to test it. Link to comment
dtfleming Posted October 1, 2007 Author Share Posted October 1, 2007 pH is test is fine never had a problem before tank has been running for 6mos. That was my first thought too about the mg.lvl, checked that also and its fine. I think I found the problem. 1. Dosing midday sometimes, and 2. Using saltmix with poor buffer capacity and trying to dose higher with the alk, although still doesnt explain why the calicum lvl dropped. Link to comment
psam Posted October 1, 2007 Share Posted October 1, 2007 The 1ml / 4 gallon ratio is just a manufacturer starting point. You need to know how much alk / ca your tank is consuming daily. Test your tank at the same time each day for a few days in a row. Note the amount consumed. ONce you figure that out, this is a very helpful link to help you determine an appropriate amount to dose daily in order to keep up with your tanks demand. Link to comment
dtfleming Posted October 1, 2007 Author Share Posted October 1, 2007 k, tks for the info Link to comment
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