Confused on amount to Dose

[SocalS14]

It means that calcium and alkalinity are most used to deposit calcium carbonate. In that context, if alk is being used, then most likely, so is calcium. The relative rate is about 18-20 ppm calcium for each 2.8 dKH of alk consumed.

My recommendation is to replace alk as needed and use a method that adds that appropriate amount of calcium. A number of different methods add them together that way:

The Many Methods for Supplementing Calcium and Alkalinity - REEFEDITION

There is no aspect of reef aquarium chemistry more important than calcium and alkalinity. Many of my previous articles have described various aspects of these systems in detail. In reading those articles, aquarists will note one pervasive theme: that maintaining appropriate levels of each are...

www.reefedition.com

Thanks! I am going to use anhydrous calcium chloride. Online, I found that 1 dKH is equivalent to 18ppm. Based on your response, that would be 50.4 ppm alk to ~19 ppm calcium. From there I worked out that for 0.2 dKH per day, I would need to add 1.43 ppm of calcium per day. Pretty small amount, but doable.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Online, I found that 1 dKH is equivalent to 18ppm. Based on your response, that would be 50.4 ppm alk to ~19 ppm calcium. From there I worked out that for 0.2 dKH per day, I would need to add 1.43 ppm of calcium per day. Pretty small amount, but doable.

I'd make a DIY two part with the calcium chloride and then stick to the balanced amount of calcium dosing:

An Improved Do-it-Yourself Two-Part Calcium and Alkalinity Supplement System by Randy Holmes-Farley - Reefkeeping.com

 

[SocalS14]

I'd make a DIY two part with the calcium chloride and then stick to the balanced amount of calcium dosing:

An Improved Do-it-Yourself Two-Part Calcium and Alkalinity Supplement System by Randy Holmes-Farley - Reefkeeping.com

OK - that would be 45ml for each in my system. That seems like more than 0.2dKH per day.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

OK - can you tell me 0.3 mL/gallon means? Milliliters per gallon? Was that supposed to mean per day, since the title says "daily doses"?

You are asking about Table 1? The numbers are far higher than your demand.

My suggestion is if you know how much alk you want to deliver each day (say, 0.2 dKH), use this calculator instead with entries for Randy's Recipe 1 or 2, depending on what you make and use:

Reef Chemistry Calculator

 

[SocalS14]

You are asking about Table 1? The numbers are far higher than your demand.

My suggestion is if you know how much alk you want to deliver each day (say, 0.2 dKH), use this calculator instead with entries for Randy's Recipe 1 or 2, depending on what you make and use:

Reef Chemistry Calculator

Yes - exactly. That was the reason I noted the ratio you had provided before in order to spec the calcium appropriately.

 

[SocalS14]

Hey, Randy - on the calculator at

Reef Chemistry Calculator

What does balanced Calcium mean under Alkalinity?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Hey, Randy - on the calculator at

Reef Chemistry Calculator

What does balanced Calcium mean under Alkalinity?

Ignore that. It is not to be taken as a guide to a desirable level.

It means something very technical; if you start with natural seawater ( ~7 dKH and 420 ppm calcium) and add or substract the amount of alk and calcium in calcium carbonate (2.8 dKH and 20 ppm calcium) needed to get to the new alk, how much calcium would that be.

 

[SocalS14]

Thanks! I used the calculator and have a very good idea of where to head with dosing.

 

[SocalS14]

OK - so using Recipe #2, I am dosing ~43mL for a 0.2dKH Alk dose and 1.43 ppm Ca dose per day. I will test regularly to keep tabs.

I spread the dose over 16 hrs period with four ~11mL doses.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

OK - so using Recipe #2, I am dosing ~43mL for a 0.2dKH Alk dose and 1.43 ppm Ca dose per day. I will test regularly to keep tabs.

I spread the dose over 16 hrs period with four ~11mL doses.

Sounds good. Keep us updated!

 

[SocalS14]

UPDATE!

Just did a round of testing after a good week of dosing with Randy's Recipe #2. No drop in Alk/Ca at my current dosing amount.

I assume, as I continue down this path, I will be monitoring and slowly inching up the amount to dose as coral needs increase.

Growth in the tank looks consistent - except for a bit of necrosis on my lone acro - I would say all is good. That lone acro was really a test to see if I can keep them. Only one stalk was affected so far - the other stalks seem unaffected.