- Joined
- Sep 11, 2014
- Messages
- 554
- Reaction score
- 320
I can't figure out why my alkalinity is being used up so much faster than my calcium. Here are the details...
180 gallon total volume
Alk 7.7
Calcium 500
Mag 1450
pH 8.3
Salinity 35 ppt
PO4 0
NO3 1-2 ppm
So, I've been getting by with kalkwasser in my ATO for several months, which kept my calcium and alkalinity stable at 500 and 10 dkh. I tested for mag and noticed it had dropped to about 1200. Over the next few weeks I raised my mag levels using MgCl2. This caused my alkalinity to drop to 7.7, which is where I want it anyway, but my calcium stayed at 500. I soon noticed that my alkalinity was still dropping, so I started dosing Randy's alkalinity recipe 1. I am now up to 40ml per day of alk dosing to keep alk stable at 7.7 dkh. I don't dose any calcium, which has stayed at 500 the entire time. I have confirmed these levels with multiple test kits, Red Sea and Salifert. Any ideas or reasons for the unbalanced Dosing?
TIA
Randy
180 gallon total volume
Alk 7.7
Calcium 500
Mag 1450
pH 8.3
Salinity 35 ppt
PO4 0
NO3 1-2 ppm
So, I've been getting by with kalkwasser in my ATO for several months, which kept my calcium and alkalinity stable at 500 and 10 dkh. I tested for mag and noticed it had dropped to about 1200. Over the next few weeks I raised my mag levels using MgCl2. This caused my alkalinity to drop to 7.7, which is where I want it anyway, but my calcium stayed at 500. I soon noticed that my alkalinity was still dropping, so I started dosing Randy's alkalinity recipe 1. I am now up to 40ml per day of alk dosing to keep alk stable at 7.7 dkh. I don't dose any calcium, which has stayed at 500 the entire time. I have confirmed these levels with multiple test kits, Red Sea and Salifert. Any ideas or reasons for the unbalanced Dosing?
TIA
Randy