DevilDuck Posted March 16, 2022 Share Posted March 16, 2022 Wow your tank is consuming a lot of the major elements very quickly! Perhaps its time to look into 2-part or a single solution like Tropic Marin All-for-Reef. I use the latter via a doser and been very happy. Quote Link to comment
lakedawgs Posted March 16, 2022 Author Share Posted March 16, 2022 I agree that seems odd. I am going to run tests to complete the week to get a good look at my numbers. I am also going to take a sample of my water to my LFS to let him test to see how my testing compares. How does a one part solution like the Tropic Marin All-for-Reef compensate when, for example, your calcium is low but your alk is high. Would it not put too much alk in when trying compensate for the calcium? I am sure it does not but it seems like it would. Quote Link to comment
lakedawgs Posted March 16, 2022 Author Share Posted March 16, 2022 Wednesday's readings Calcium Magnesium Alkalinity Sunday 3/13/22 490 1380 8.5 Mixed Saltwater Monday 3/14/22 480 1320 6.1 Aquarium Sample Tuesday 3/15/22 450 1320 5.4 Aquarium Sample Wednesday 3/16/22 445 1320 4.9 Aquarium Sample Quote Link to comment
DevilDuck Posted March 16, 2022 Share Posted March 16, 2022 The idea is that in a typical reef system Calc, Mag, and Alk are interrelated and consumed at a set ratio. Basically, you dose AFR until you achieve the Alkalinity level you want and everything should just follow. AFR is broken down by bacteria, so it will take about 2 days for you to see the effect of a change in dosage. Once you have it dialed-in, it's pretty much set and forget. The plus side is AFR also contains trace elements, so it greatly reduces the amount of water changes you'll need to do. If you do find that the Mag is getting higher than you'd like, Tropic Marin also has a product called CarboCalcium, which is basically AFR with Alk and Calcium only (less the Magnesium and trace elements). I think your going down the right path. Find out what and how much your tank is consuming and the what's being replaced during your regular water changes and use whatever fits your tank's needs. Quote Link to comment
lakedawgs Posted March 17, 2022 Author Share Posted March 17, 2022 Thanks much DevilDuck, I appreciate the feedback. I bout a 2 part B-Ionic kit but will wait to use it. Here is a pic at one month, plus a day or two. Lots of micro bubbles but no big deal. THANKS Lakedawgs Quote Link to comment
lakedawgs Posted March 18, 2022 Author Share Posted March 18, 2022 Thursday's readings Calcium Magnesium Alkalinity Sunday 3/13/22 490 1380 8.5 Mixed Saltwater Monday 3/14/22 480 1320 6.1 Aquarium Sample Tuesday 3/15/22 450 1320 5.4 Aquarium Sample Wednesday 3/16/22 445 1320 4.9 Aquarium Sample Thursday 3/17/22 440 1320 4.8 Aquarium Sample Quote Link to comment
lakedawgs Posted March 18, 2022 Author Share Posted March 18, 2022 Ok, so I started dosing B-Ionic 2 part last night. Directions say to start with 1ml per 4 gallons of water. I have about 11 gallons of water so I started with 2.5ml of each. Mixed with a bit of fresh water and slowly added a bit of each alternately every hour or so when I think about it. Started last night. Here are todays readings. I am going to do this for a few days and tank another set of reading adjust. Everything looks good just gotta get that Alk up a bit. Calcium Magnesium Alkalinity Sunday 3/13/22 490 1380 8.5 Mixed Saltwater Monday 3/14/22 480 1320 6.1 Aquarium Sample Tuesday 3/15/22 450 1320 5.4 Aquarium Sample Wednesday 3/16/22 445 1320 4.9 Aquarium Sample Thursday 3/17/22 440 1320 4.8 Aquarium Sample Friday 3/18/22 480 1320 4.5 Aquarium Sample Quote Link to comment
4d-Rock Posted March 18, 2022 Share Posted March 18, 2022 I’m new to reefing and I don’t quite understand what in your tank would be depleting the Alk so much. Your corals aren’t too big and you don’t have a ton, especially compared to other peoples tanks with big corals which I assume would use up significantly more. I’m hoping an experienced reefer can shed some light on this. Just doesn’t seem right in my mind. 1 Quote Link to comment
lakedawgs Posted March 29, 2022 Author Share Posted March 29, 2022 I have been using B-Ionic 2 part and still having a bit of trouble get my alkalinity up. What do you guys think? Calcium Magnesium Alkalinity Dosing Sunday 3/13/22 490 1380 8.5 Mixed Saltwater Monday 3/14/22 480 1320 6.1 Aquarium Sample Tuesday 3/15/22 450 1320 5.4 Aquarium Sample Wednesday 3/16/22 445 1320 4.9 Aquarium Sample Thursday 3/17/22 440 1320 4.8 Aquarium Sample 3ml A&C Friday 3/18/22 420 1320 4.5 Aquarium Sample 3ml A&C Saturday 3/19/22 17.5% Water Change 3ml A&C Sunday 3/20/22 3ml A&C Monday 3/21/22 440 4.8 Aquarium Sample 3ml A&C Tuesday 3/22/22 3ml A&C Wednesday 3/23/22 5.80 Aquarium Sample 3ml A&C Thursday 3/24/22 4ml A & 3ml C Friday 3/25/22 5.80 Aquarium Sample 4ml A & 3ml C Saturday 3/26/22 5ml A & 3ml C Saturday 3/26/22 480 1420 10.00 Mixed Saltwater Sunday 3/27/22 5ml A & 3ml C Monday 3/28/22 5ml A & 3ml C Tuesday 3/29/22 480 7.00 Aquarium Sample Wednesday 3/30/22 Thursday 3/31/22 Quote Link to comment
lakedawgs Posted April 15, 2022 Author Share Posted April 15, 2022 2 month old tank pic. Things are looking good! 1 Quote Link to comment
DevilDuck Posted May 25, 2022 Share Posted May 25, 2022 What did you end up doing to get you alk under control? Quote Link to comment
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