Calc and Alk

[irdm350]

Hey guys. I need some suggestions. My SPS are taking off and I'm fighting a losing battle trying to keep my calc and alk levels stable. I'd appreciate suggestions on the best way to automatically maintain my calc and alk levels. Please keep in mind that I'm on a budget so the cheaper, the better. Thanks!

 

[charlie28]

Its either you manually dose or dosing pumps...IMO dosing pumps are overall the best. your gonna have to test and see how much you'll need to dose or manually dose to see how much per hour...Overall dosing pumps are not that cheap but well worth it in the long run..

 

[happaman]

Once you have an accurate reading there are numerous calculators on how much of what you need to dose. But as charlie noted you must continue to test to determine how much your tank is using. I dose baking soda, kalk daily. I dose kalk at nite to maintain a higher ph. check out saltyZoo for tables/calculators but there are others out there too. HTH

 

[irdm350]

Kalk as in Kalkwasser right? The baking soda is for alk levels right? Never heard of that before, can you give me some of opinions on this method? How does it compare to the most commonly used alk buffers?

What about my ATO? I have a big storage bin of RODI and an Aqualifter to top off, does anybody have good luck dosing by using their ATO?

Once I find products I like for both, I will calculate the rate at which the tank is using both so that I can work out the dosing. Right now I'm squeaking by with Kent liquid calcium and a Kent alk buffer.

 

[happaman]

Check out Randy Holmes Farley, Eric Bornemann as two good 'gurus' Eric is on Marine depot forums and Farley can be found on Reef Central. check out Bulk Reef Supply for some info and products. Mrs Wages pickling lime and Arm& Hammer baking soda are as cheap as you can get. I used to dose calcium but only have 5 sps with acans/zoas so don't use that much.

I dose via my top off water. I use fans for cooling (my 55 is in a full pciture window with full sun so it gets hot) evaporation is about 1 gallon per 24 hours so I can add substantial amounts if needed.

 

[kajung2k]

how about a calcium reactor? co2 cost me $21.xx to refill (lasts 1.5 years), and i go thru about $50.00 in media every 1.25 years). you can't beat that. The calcium reactor is good for alk and ca

 

[irdm350]

I thought about getting a calcium reactor but I just don't have the space for it. I think I'm gonna try the baking soda and Kalkwasser in the ATO method and see how it goes. Thanks for the help guys.

 

[711Tonyst]

Go two part from bulk reef supply used for a year will never change with dosing pumps controlled by my RKE.

 

[DETANE]

Use Dosing pumps and Bulkreefsupply 2 part solution.
Depends how big your tank is also.

TOM has everything you need to get started. Visit his website:
www.socaltropicalfishoutlet.com

Or order direct if you need to buy buckets of the powders.
http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/store...-systems/bubble-magus-dosing-pump-bm-t01.html

http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/store...sium/two-part-calcium-and-alkalinity-solution