Alk / Calcium problems

[Rick]

I am having some problems maintaining calcium and alkalinity.

Lately I have been testing several times a night, in batches of 3. Three in
regular res mode, by following the posted directions. And three in what I
call super-res, by doubling the components.

Calcium won't go over 375 ppm (confirmed with 2 seperate test kits both with
standards) But it is constant there. Doesn't change from day to day. (even
running the tests in super sensitivity mode.)

Alk runs high from 3.2 to 5.2 meq/L.

I dose with 2 part B-Ionic and/or Kalkwasser. When I use the 2 part, alot of
times I end up just dosing part 2 (calcium component) so not to over-do the
alk. When I am dosing Kalk, I set it up on a drip, totals about 1 gallon per
day. (Which just so happens to be about what i loose in evap) I make the
Kalk up in 2 gallon batches.

When I dose B-Ionic I end up dosing about 50 ml of part two in a 46 gallon
bowfront. This amount seems enough to maintain the calc, but not raise it.

I would like to get calc to 400 to 425. Any advice?
Also, I would like to get the Alk down. Not dosing for a while works but I
was wondering if there is a method that can be used to raise it, besides
water changes. (do enough of them @ 20% each month)

Best regards,

Rick

System
46 Gallon Bow Front (Reef) 9 months old
10 Gallon Sump
Prizm Skimmer
Wet/Dry Trickle Filter with Hangon Prefilter/Overflow (it works great,
thanks for asking)
Carbon in drip pan. 1/3 replaced bi-weekly
Minimal Bio-Load
Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 0
Calc 375
Alk 5.14 (meq/L)
Iodine .06 ppm

60 lbs Aragonite Live Sand
45 lbs Live Rock

Dosing
B-Ionic - Daily as per requirements (usually 50 ml part 2)
Iodine - Daily .5 ml
Trace Elements - Weekly 3 ml
Kalkwasser / Freshwater - Daily about a gallon (when Kalk its by drip)

[Rick]

Ooops sorry, forgot the other issue which i think is related. pH has trouble
going over 8.1. I want this to be 8.3 but no dice with the Alk issues. I had
hoped that with constant dosing and monitoring that it would slowly but
surely settle out higher. But is has been 8.1 since the day I set it up.
Inhabitants dont seem to mind. Sabae anemone is always eager to display
himself, valintini puffer wont stop playing in the PH streams and the maroon
clown is forever cleaning house for the anemone.

-Rick

"Rick" > wrote in message
t...
> I am having some problems maintaining calcium and alkalinity.
>
> Lately I have been testing several times a night, in batches of 3. Three
in
> regular res mode, by following the posted directions. And three in what I
> call super-res, by doubling the components.
>
> Calcium won't go over 375 ppm (confirmed with 2 seperate test kits both
with
> standards) But it is constant there. Doesn't change from day to day. (even
> running the tests in super sensitivity mode.)
>
> Alk runs high from 3.2 to 5.2 meq/L.
>
> I dose with 2 part B-Ionic and/or Kalkwasser. When I use the 2 part, alot
of
> times I end up just dosing part 2 (calcium component) so not to over-do
the
> alk. When I am dosing Kalk, I set it up on a drip, totals about 1 gallon
per
> day. (Which just so happens to be about what i loose in evap) I make the
> Kalk up in 2 gallon batches.
>
> When I dose B-Ionic I end up dosing about 50 ml of part two in a 46 gallon
> bowfront. This amount seems enough to maintain the calc, but not raise it.
>
> I would like to get calc to 400 to 425. Any advice?
> Also, I would like to get the Alk down. Not dosing for a while works but I
> was wondering if there is a method that can be used to raise it, besides
> water changes. (do enough of them @ 20% each month)
>
> Best regards,
>
> Rick
>
> System
> 46 Gallon Bow Front (Reef) 9 months old
> 10 Gallon Sump
> Prizm Skimmer
> Wet/Dry Trickle Filter with Hangon Prefilter/Overflow (it works great,
> thanks for asking)
> Carbon in drip pan. 1/3 replaced bi-weekly
> Minimal Bio-Load
> Ammonia 0
> Nitrite 0
> Nitrate 0
> Calc 375
> Alk 5.14 (meq/L)
> Iodine .06 ppm
>
> 60 lbs Aragonite Live Sand
> 45 lbs Live Rock
>
> Dosing
> B-Ionic - Daily as per requirements (usually 50 ml part 2)
> Iodine - Daily .5 ml
> Trace Elements - Weekly 3 ml
> Kalkwasser / Freshwater - Daily about a gallon (when Kalk its by drip)
>
>

[Marc Levenson]

Rick, I dose 30ml of B-Ionic daily in my 55g and my Ca and Alk are both high.
460 Ca and 13 dKH last time I tested. pH ranges between 8.1 and 8.38 daily.

When you dose, do you pour it in very slowly, making sure it dissipates without
turning to flakes? If it does, the dose was just wasted.

Marc


Rick wrote:

> Ooops sorry, forgot the other issue which i think is related. pH has trouble
> going over 8.1. I want this to be 8.3 but no dice with the Alk issues. I had
> hoped that with constant dosing and monitoring that it would slowly but
> surely settle out higher. But is has been 8.1 since the day I set it up.
> Inhabitants dont seem to mind. Sabae anemone is always eager to display
> himself, valintini puffer wont stop playing in the PH streams and the maroon
> clown is forever cleaning house for the anemone.
>
> -Rick
>
> "Rick" > wrote in message
> t...
> > I am having some problems maintaining calcium and alkalinity.
> >
> > Lately I have been testing several times a night, in batches of 3. Three
> in
> > regular res mode, by following the posted directions. And three in what I
> > call super-res, by doubling the components.
> >
> > Calcium won't go over 375 ppm (confirmed with 2 seperate test kits both
> with
> > standards) But it is constant there. Doesn't change from day to day. (even
> > running the tests in super sensitivity mode.)
> >
> > Alk runs high from 3.2 to 5.2 meq/L.
> >
> > I dose with 2 part B-Ionic and/or Kalkwasser. When I use the 2 part, alot
> of
> > times I end up just dosing part 2 (calcium component) so not to over-do
> the
> > alk. When I am dosing Kalk, I set it up on a drip, totals about 1 gallon
> per
> > day. (Which just so happens to be about what i loose in evap) I make the
> > Kalk up in 2 gallon batches.
> >
> > When I dose B-Ionic I end up dosing about 50 ml of part two in a 46 gallon
> > bowfront. This amount seems enough to maintain the calc, but not raise it.
> >
> > I would like to get calc to 400 to 425. Any advice?
> > Also, I would like to get the Alk down. Not dosing for a while works but I
> > was wondering if there is a method that can be used to raise it, besides
> > water changes. (do enough of them @ 20% each month)
> >
> > Best regards,
> >
> > Rick
> >
> > System
> > 46 Gallon Bow Front (Reef) 9 months old
> > 10 Gallon Sump
> > Prizm Skimmer
> > Wet/Dry Trickle Filter with Hangon Prefilter/Overflow (it works great,
> > thanks for asking)
> > Carbon in drip pan. 1/3 replaced bi-weekly
> > Minimal Bio-Load
> > Ammonia 0
> > Nitrite 0
> > Nitrate 0
> > Calc 375
> > Alk 5.14 (meq/L)
> > Iodine .06 ppm
> >
> > 60 lbs Aragonite Live Sand
> > 45 lbs Live Rock
> >
> > Dosing
> > B-Ionic - Daily as per requirements (usually 50 ml part 2)
> > Iodine - Daily .5 ml
> > Trace Elements - Weekly 3 ml
> > Kalkwasser / Freshwater - Daily about a gallon (when Kalk its by drip)
> >
> >

--
Personal Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com/oanda/index.html
Business Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com
Marine Hobbyist: http://www.melevsreef.com

[Rick]

Marc,

When I dose part 1 it does get cloudy and I have noticed flakes with that. I
figure that is was carbonate precipitation. Which I don't like one bit. I
will dose slower with that in mind.

When I dose the calcium part, part 2, in do it in 5 - 10 ml batches. It does
not cloud nor flake.

When I make up Kalkwasser, it flakes a lot in the container.

-Rick

"Marc Levenson" > wrote in message
...
> Rick, I dose 30ml of B-Ionic daily in my 55g and my Ca and Alk are both
high.
> 460 Ca and 13 dKH last time I tested. pH ranges between 8.1 and 8.38
daily.
>
> When you dose, do you pour it in very slowly, making sure it dissipates
without
> turning to flakes? If it does, the dose was just wasted.
>
> Marc
>
>
> Rick wrote:
>
> > Ooops sorry, forgot the other issue which i think is related. pH has
trouble
> > going over 8.1. I want this to be 8.3 but no dice with the Alk issues. I
had
> > hoped that with constant dosing and monitoring that it would slowly but
> > surely settle out higher. But is has been 8.1 since the day I set it up.
> > Inhabitants dont seem to mind. Sabae anemone is always eager to display
> > himself, valintini puffer wont stop playing in the PH streams and the
maroon
> > clown is forever cleaning house for the anemone.
> >
> > -Rick
> >
> > "Rick" > wrote in message
> > t...
> > > I am having some problems maintaining calcium and alkalinity.
> > >
> > > Lately I have been testing several times a night, in batches of 3.
Three
> > in
> > > regular res mode, by following the posted directions. And three in
what I
> > > call super-res, by doubling the components.
> > >
> > > Calcium won't go over 375 ppm (confirmed with 2 seperate test kits
both
> > with
> > > standards) But it is constant there. Doesn't change from day to day.
(even
> > > running the tests in super sensitivity mode.)
> > >
> > > Alk runs high from 3.2 to 5.2 meq/L.
> > >
> > > I dose with 2 part B-Ionic and/or Kalkwasser. When I use the 2 part,
alot
> > of
> > > times I end up just dosing part 2 (calcium component) so not to
over-do
> > the
> > > alk. When I am dosing Kalk, I set it up on a drip, totals about 1
gallon
> > per
> > > day. (Which just so happens to be about what i loose in evap) I make
the
> > > Kalk up in 2 gallon batches.
> > >
> > > When I dose B-Ionic I end up dosing about 50 ml of part two in a 46
gallon
> > > bowfront. This amount seems enough to maintain the calc, but not raise
it.
> > >
> > > I would like to get calc to 400 to 425. Any advice?
> > > Also, I would like to get the Alk down. Not dosing for a while works
but I
> > > was wondering if there is a method that can be used to raise it,
besides
> > > water changes. (do enough of them @ 20% each month)
> > >
> > > Best regards,
> > >
> > > Rick
> > >
> > > System
> > > 46 Gallon Bow Front (Reef) 9 months old
> > > 10 Gallon Sump
> > > Prizm Skimmer
> > > Wet/Dry Trickle Filter with Hangon Prefilter/Overflow (it works great,
> > > thanks for asking)
> > > Carbon in drip pan. 1/3 replaced bi-weekly
> > > Minimal Bio-Load
> > > Ammonia 0
> > > Nitrite 0
> > > Nitrate 0
> > > Calc 375
> > > Alk 5.14 (meq/L)
> > > Iodine .06 ppm
> > >
> > > 60 lbs Aragonite Live Sand
> > > 45 lbs Live Rock
> > >
> > > Dosing
> > > B-Ionic - Daily as per requirements (usually 50 ml part 2)
> > > Iodine - Daily .5 ml
> > > Trace Elements - Weekly 3 ml
> > > Kalkwasser / Freshwater - Daily about a gallon (when Kalk its by drip)
> > >
> > >
>
> --
> Personal Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com/oanda/index.html
> Business Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com
> Marine Hobbyist: http://www.melevsreef.com
>
>

[Marc Levenson]

Try adding it a tiny bit at a time, over 30 seconds -- per part.

Last night, I poured in the 15ml in my 29g all at once across the full length of
the tank. Grabbed my flashlight to see what occured, and I had snow. In other
words, precipitation and essentially useless. You don't want it to flake
because then it basically did nothing. I added another 15 ml slowly and need to
test my water today. <grin>

Marc


Rick wrote:

> Marc,
>
> When I dose part 1 it does get cloudy and I have noticed flakes with that. I
> figure that is was carbonate precipitation. Which I don't like one bit. I
> will dose slower with that in mind.
>
> When I dose the calcium part, part 2, in do it in 5 - 10 ml batches. It does
> not cloud nor flake.
>
> When I make up Kalkwasser, it flakes a lot in the container.
>
> -Rick
>
> "Marc Levenson" > wrote in message
> ...
> > Rick, I dose 30ml of B-Ionic daily in my 55g and my Ca and Alk are both
> high.
> > 460 Ca and 13 dKH last time I tested. pH ranges between 8.1 and 8.38
> daily.
> >
> > When you dose, do you pour it in very slowly, making sure it dissipates
> without
> > turning to flakes? If it does, the dose was just wasted.
> >
> > Marc
> >
> >
> > Rick wrote:
> >
> > > Ooops sorry, forgot the other issue which i think is related. pH has
> trouble
> > > going over 8.1. I want this to be 8.3 but no dice with the Alk issues. I
> had
> > > hoped that with constant dosing and monitoring that it would slowly but
> > > surely settle out higher. But is has been 8.1 since the day I set it up.
> > > Inhabitants dont seem to mind. Sabae anemone is always eager to display
> > > himself, valintini puffer wont stop playing in the PH streams and the
> maroon
> > > clown is forever cleaning house for the anemone.
> > >
> > > -Rick
> > >
> > > "Rick" > wrote in message
> > > t...
> > > > I am having some problems maintaining calcium and alkalinity.
> > > >
> > > > Lately I have been testing several times a night, in batches of 3.
> Three
> > > in
> > > > regular res mode, by following the posted directions. And three in
> what I
> > > > call super-res, by doubling the components.
> > > >
> > > > Calcium won't go over 375 ppm (confirmed with 2 seperate test kits
> both
> > > with
> > > > standards) But it is constant there. Doesn't change from day to day.
> (even
> > > > running the tests in super sensitivity mode.)
> > > >
> > > > Alk runs high from 3.2 to 5.2 meq/L.
> > > >
> > > > I dose with 2 part B-Ionic and/or Kalkwasser. When I use the 2 part,
> alot
> > > of
> > > > times I end up just dosing part 2 (calcium component) so not to
> over-do
> > > the
> > > > alk. When I am dosing Kalk, I set it up on a drip, totals about 1
> gallon
> > > per
> > > > day. (Which just so happens to be about what i loose in evap) I make
> the
> > > > Kalk up in 2 gallon batches.
> > > >
> > > > When I dose B-Ionic I end up dosing about 50 ml of part two in a 46
> gallon
> > > > bowfront. This amount seems enough to maintain the calc, but not raise
> it.
> > > >
> > > > I would like to get calc to 400 to 425. Any advice?
> > > > Also, I would like to get the Alk down. Not dosing for a while works
> but I
> > > > was wondering if there is a method that can be used to raise it,
> besides
> > > > water changes. (do enough of them @ 20% each month)
> > > >
> > > > Best regards,
> > > >
> > > > Rick
> > > >
> > > > System
> > > > 46 Gallon Bow Front (Reef) 9 months old
> > > > 10 Gallon Sump
> > > > Prizm Skimmer
> > > > Wet/Dry Trickle Filter with Hangon Prefilter/Overflow (it works great,
> > > > thanks for asking)
> > > > Carbon in drip pan. 1/3 replaced bi-weekly
> > > > Minimal Bio-Load
> > > > Ammonia 0
> > > > Nitrite 0
> > > > Nitrate 0
> > > > Calc 375
> > > > Alk 5.14 (meq/L)
> > > > Iodine .06 ppm
> > > >
> > > > 60 lbs Aragonite Live Sand
> > > > 45 lbs Live Rock
> > > >
> > > > Dosing
> > > > B-Ionic - Daily as per requirements (usually 50 ml part 2)
> > > > Iodine - Daily .5 ml
> > > > Trace Elements - Weekly 3 ml
> > > > Kalkwasser / Freshwater - Daily about a gallon (when Kalk its by drip)
> > > >
> > > >
> >
> > --
> > Personal Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com/oanda/index.html
> > Business Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com
> > Marine Hobbyist: http://www.melevsreef.com
> >
> >

--
Personal Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com/oanda/index.html
Business Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com
Marine Hobbyist: http://www.melevsreef.com

[Rick]

So what do you think about the high Alk levels? You think it's fine? How
about it's affect on coraline algae growth?


"Marc Levenson" > wrote in message
...
> Try adding it a tiny bit at a time, over 30 seconds -- per part.
>
> Last night, I poured in the 15ml in my 29g all at once across the full
length of
> the tank. Grabbed my flashlight to see what occured, and I had snow. In
other
> words, precipitation and essentially useless. You don't want it to flake
> because then it basically did nothing. I added another 15 ml slowly and
need to
> test my water today. <grin>
>
> Marc
>
>
> Rick wrote:
>
> > Marc,
> >
> > When I dose part 1 it does get cloudy and I have noticed flakes with
that. I
> > figure that is was carbonate precipitation. Which I don't like one bit.
I
> > will dose slower with that in mind.
> >
> > When I dose the calcium part, part 2, in do it in 5 - 10 ml batches. It
does
> > not cloud nor flake.
> >
> > When I make up Kalkwasser, it flakes a lot in the container.
> >
> > -Rick
> >
> > "Marc Levenson" > wrote in message
> > ...
> > > Rick, I dose 30ml of B-Ionic daily in my 55g and my Ca and Alk are
both
> > high.
> > > 460 Ca and 13 dKH last time I tested. pH ranges between 8.1 and 8.38
> > daily.
> > >
> > > When you dose, do you pour it in very slowly, making sure it
dissipates
> > without
> > > turning to flakes? If it does, the dose was just wasted.
> > >
> > > Marc
> > >
> > >
> > > Rick wrote:
> > >
> > > > Ooops sorry, forgot the other issue which i think is related. pH has
> > trouble
> > > > going over 8.1. I want this to be 8.3 but no dice with the Alk
issues. I
> > had
> > > > hoped that with constant dosing and monitoring that it would slowly
but
> > > > surely settle out higher. But is has been 8.1 since the day I set it
up.
> > > > Inhabitants dont seem to mind. Sabae anemone is always eager to
display
> > > > himself, valintini puffer wont stop playing in the PH streams and
the
> > maroon
> > > > clown is forever cleaning house for the anemone.
> > > >
> > > > -Rick
> > > >
> > > > "Rick" > wrote in message
> > > > t...
> > > > > I am having some problems maintaining calcium and alkalinity.
> > > > >
> > > > > Lately I have been testing several times a night, in batches of 3.
> > Three
> > > > in
> > > > > regular res mode, by following the posted directions. And three in
> > what I
> > > > > call super-res, by doubling the components.
> > > > >
> > > > > Calcium won't go over 375 ppm (confirmed with 2 seperate test kits
> > both
> > > > with
> > > > > standards) But it is constant there. Doesn't change from day to
day.
> > (even
> > > > > running the tests in super sensitivity mode.)
> > > > >
> > > > > Alk runs high from 3.2 to 5.2 meq/L.
> > > > >
> > > > > I dose with 2 part B-Ionic and/or Kalkwasser. When I use the 2
part,
> > alot
> > > > of
> > > > > times I end up just dosing part 2 (calcium component) so not to
> > over-do
> > > > the
> > > > > alk. When I am dosing Kalk, I set it up on a drip, totals about 1
> > gallon
> > > > per
> > > > > day. (Which just so happens to be about what i loose in evap) I
make
> > the
> > > > > Kalk up in 2 gallon batches.
> > > > >
> > > > > When I dose B-Ionic I end up dosing about 50 ml of part two in a
46
> > gallon
> > > > > bowfront. This amount seems enough to maintain the calc, but not
raise
> > it.
> > > > >
> > > > > I would like to get calc to 400 to 425. Any advice?
> > > > > Also, I would like to get the Alk down. Not dosing for a while
works
> > but I
> > > > > was wondering if there is a method that can be used to raise it,
> > besides
> > > > > water changes. (do enough of them @ 20% each month)
> > > > >
> > > > > Best regards,
> > > > >
> > > > > Rick
> > > > >
> > > > > System
> > > > > 46 Gallon Bow Front (Reef) 9 months old
> > > > > 10 Gallon Sump
> > > > > Prizm Skimmer
> > > > > Wet/Dry Trickle Filter with Hangon Prefilter/Overflow (it works
great,
> > > > > thanks for asking)
> > > > > Carbon in drip pan. 1/3 replaced bi-weekly
> > > > > Minimal Bio-Load
> > > > > Ammonia 0
> > > > > Nitrite 0
> > > > > Nitrate 0
> > > > > Calc 375
> > > > > Alk 5.14 (meq/L)
> > > > > Iodine .06 ppm
> > > > >
> > > > > 60 lbs Aragonite Live Sand
> > > > > 45 lbs Live Rock
> > > > >
> > > > > Dosing
> > > > > B-Ionic - Daily as per requirements (usually 50 ml part 2)
> > > > > Iodine - Daily .5 ml
> > > > > Trace Elements - Weekly 3 ml
> > > > > Kalkwasser / Freshwater - Daily about a gallon (when Kalk its by
drip)
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > >
> > > --
> > > Personal Page:
http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com/oanda/index.html
> > > Business Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com
> > > Marine Hobbyist: http://www.melevsreef.com
> > >
> > >
>
> --
> Personal Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com/oanda/index.html
> Business Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com
> Marine Hobbyist: http://www.melevsreef.com
>
>

[Dragon Slayer]

have you tested your magnesium?

with what your saying it sounds to me like your Mg is low. this will keep
you from being able to get Ca levels up.

kc

"Rick" > wrote in message
t...
> So what do you think about the high Alk levels? You think it's fine? How
> about it's affect on coraline algae growth?
>
>
> "Marc Levenson" > wrote in message
> ...
> > Try adding it a tiny bit at a time, over 30 seconds -- per part.
> >
> > Last night, I poured in the 15ml in my 29g all at once across the full
> length of
> > the tank. Grabbed my flashlight to see what occured, and I had snow.
In
> other
> > words, precipitation and essentially useless. You don't want it to
flake
> > because then it basically did nothing. I added another 15 ml slowly and
> need to
> > test my water today. <grin>
> >
> > Marc
> >
> >
> > Rick wrote:
> >
> > > Marc,
> > >
> > > When I dose part 1 it does get cloudy and I have noticed flakes with
> that. I
> > > figure that is was carbonate precipitation. Which I don't like one
bit.
> I
> > > will dose slower with that in mind.
> > >
> > > When I dose the calcium part, part 2, in do it in 5 - 10 ml batches.
It
> does
> > > not cloud nor flake.
> > >
> > > When I make up Kalkwasser, it flakes a lot in the container.
> > >
> > > -Rick
> > >
> > > "Marc Levenson" > wrote in message
> > > ...
> > > > Rick, I dose 30ml of B-Ionic daily in my 55g and my Ca and Alk are
> both
> > > high.
> > > > 460 Ca and 13 dKH last time I tested. pH ranges between 8.1 and
8.38
> > > daily.
> > > >
> > > > When you dose, do you pour it in very slowly, making sure it
> dissipates
> > > without
> > > > turning to flakes? If it does, the dose was just wasted.
> > > >
> > > > Marc
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > Rick wrote:
> > > >
> > > > > Ooops sorry, forgot the other issue which i think is related. pH
has
> > > trouble
> > > > > going over 8.1. I want this to be 8.3 but no dice with the Alk
> issues. I
> > > had
> > > > > hoped that with constant dosing and monitoring that it would
slowly
> but
> > > > > surely settle out higher. But is has been 8.1 since the day I set
it
> up.
> > > > > Inhabitants dont seem to mind. Sabae anemone is always eager to
> display
> > > > > himself, valintini puffer wont stop playing in the PH streams and
> the
> > > maroon
> > > > > clown is forever cleaning house for the anemone.
> > > > >
> > > > > -Rick
> > > > >
> > > > > "Rick" > wrote in message
> > > > > t...
> > > > > > I am having some problems maintaining calcium and alkalinity.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Lately I have been testing several times a night, in batches of
3.
> > > Three
> > > > > in
> > > > > > regular res mode, by following the posted directions. And three
in
> > > what I
> > > > > > call super-res, by doubling the components.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Calcium won't go over 375 ppm (confirmed with 2 seperate test
kits
> > > both
> > > > > with
> > > > > > standards) But it is constant there. Doesn't change from day to
> day.
> > > (even
> > > > > > running the tests in super sensitivity mode.)
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Alk runs high from 3.2 to 5.2 meq/L.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > I dose with 2 part B-Ionic and/or Kalkwasser. When I use the 2
> part,
> > > alot
> > > > > of
> > > > > > times I end up just dosing part 2 (calcium component) so not to
> > > over-do
> > > > > the
> > > > > > alk. When I am dosing Kalk, I set it up on a drip, totals about
1
> > > gallon
> > > > > per
> > > > > > day. (Which just so happens to be about what i loose in evap) I
> make
> > > the
> > > > > > Kalk up in 2 gallon batches.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > When I dose B-Ionic I end up dosing about 50 ml of part two in a
> 46
> > > gallon
> > > > > > bowfront. This amount seems enough to maintain the calc, but not

> raise
> > > it.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > I would like to get calc to 400 to 425. Any advice?
> > > > > > Also, I would like to get the Alk down. Not dosing for a while
> works
> > > but I
> > > > > > was wondering if there is a method that can be used to raise it,
> > > besides
> > > > > > water changes. (do enough of them @ 20% each month)
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Best regards,
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Rick
> > > > > >
> > > > > > System
> > > > > > 46 Gallon Bow Front (Reef) 9 months old
> > > > > > 10 Gallon Sump
> > > > > > Prizm Skimmer
> > > > > > Wet/Dry Trickle Filter with Hangon Prefilter/Overflow (it works
> great,
> > > > > > thanks for asking)
> > > > > > Carbon in drip pan. 1/3 replaced bi-weekly
> > > > > > Minimal Bio-Load
> > > > > > Ammonia 0
> > > > > > Nitrite 0
> > > > > > Nitrate 0
> > > > > > Calc 375
> > > > > > Alk 5.14 (meq/L)
> > > > > > Iodine .06 ppm
> > > > > >
> > > > > > 60 lbs Aragonite Live Sand
> > > > > > 45 lbs Live Rock
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Dosing
> > > > > > B-Ionic - Daily as per requirements (usually 50 ml part 2)
> > > > > > Iodine - Daily .5 ml
> > > > > > Trace Elements - Weekly 3 ml
> > > > > > Kalkwasser / Freshwater - Daily about a gallon (when Kalk its by
> drip)
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > >
> > > > --
> > > > Personal Page:
> http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com/oanda/index.html
> > > > Business Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com
> > > > Marine Hobbyist: http://www.melevsreef.com
> > > >
> > > >
> >
> > --
> > Personal Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com/oanda/index.html
> > Business Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com
> > Marine Hobbyist: http://www.melevsreef.com
> >
> >
>
>

[David Griesemer]

I had similar problems a couple years back and I found that as long as
my alk was high it was very difficult to raise my calcium levels above
360. I now try to keep my alk between 3.0 and 3.5 and have no trouble
keeping my calc above 400.

But I don't claim to be an expert by any stretch... Here's a link to
very good article about calcium and alkalinity that someone else in
this group posted earlier. It goes in to great detail about how to
correct Ca/Alk problems.
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/nov2002/chem.htm

Marc Levenson > wrote in message >...
> Rick, I dose 30ml of B-Ionic daily in my 55g and my Ca and Alk are both high.
> 460 Ca and 13 dKH last time I tested. pH ranges between 8.1 and 8.38 daily.
>
> When you dose, do you pour it in very slowly, making sure it dissipates without
> turning to flakes? If it does, the dose was just wasted.
>
> Marc
>
>
> Rick wrote:
>
> > Ooops sorry, forgot the other issue which i think is related. pH has trouble
> > going over 8.1. I want this to be 8.3 but no dice with the Alk issues. I had
> > hoped that with constant dosing and monitoring that it would slowly but
> > surely settle out higher. But is has been 8.1 since the day I set it up.
> > Inhabitants dont seem to mind. Sabae anemone is always eager to display
> > himself, valintini puffer wont stop playing in the PH streams and the maroon
> > clown is forever cleaning house for the anemone.
> >
> > -Rick
> >
> > "Rick" > wrote in message
> > t...
> > > I am having some problems maintaining calcium and alkalinity.
> > >
> > > Lately I have been testing several times a night, in batches of 3. Three
> in
> > > regular res mode, by following the posted directions. And three in what I
> > > call super-res, by doubling the components.
> > >
> > > Calcium won't go over 375 ppm (confirmed with 2 seperate test kits both
> with
> > > standards) But it is constant there. Doesn't change from day to day. (even
> > > running the tests in super sensitivity mode.)
> > >
> > > Alk runs high from 3.2 to 5.2 meq/L.
> > >
> > > I dose with 2 part B-Ionic and/or Kalkwasser. When I use the 2 part, alot
> of
> > > times I end up just dosing part 2 (calcium component) so not to over-do
> the
> > > alk. When I am dosing Kalk, I set it up on a drip, totals about 1 gallon
> per
> > > day. (Which just so happens to be about what i loose in evap) I make the
> > > Kalk up in 2 gallon batches.
> > >
> > > When I dose B-Ionic I end up dosing about 50 ml of part two in a 46 gallon
> > > bowfront. This amount seems enough to maintain the calc, but not raise it.
> > >
> > > I would like to get calc to 400 to 425. Any advice?
> > > Also, I would like to get the Alk down. Not dosing for a while works but I
> > > was wondering if there is a method that can be used to raise it, besides
> > > water changes. (do enough of them @ 20% each month)
> > >
> > > Best regards,
> > >
> > > Rick
> > >
> > > System
> > > 46 Gallon Bow Front (Reef) 9 months old
> > > 10 Gallon Sump
> > > Prizm Skimmer
> > > Wet/Dry Trickle Filter with Hangon Prefilter/Overflow (it works great,
> > > thanks for asking)
> > > Carbon in drip pan. 1/3 replaced bi-weekly
> > > Minimal Bio-Load
> > > Ammonia 0
> > > Nitrite 0
> > > Nitrate 0
> > > Calc 375
> > > Alk 5.14 (meq/L)
> > > Iodine .06 ppm
> > >
> > > 60 lbs Aragonite Live Sand
> > > 45 lbs Live Rock
> > >
> > > Dosing
> > > B-Ionic - Daily as per requirements (usually 50 ml part 2)
> > > Iodine - Daily .5 ml
> > > Trace Elements - Weekly 3 ml
> > > Kalkwasser / Freshwater - Daily about a gallon (when Kalk its by drip)
> > >
> > >