Optimal alk cal/mag

[Kilo]

Hey guys so im setting up my doser, i have anemones and lps and softies, what would you say is perfect alk/cal/mag to keep everything at and stable, theres a big range for acceptable for these three so im just curious what yall think. Id like to dose my water change water too to make everything as stable as possible after accounting for uptake of corals, slowly raising everything in DT now.

 

[joseserrano]

bad habit to chase perfect in this hobby. I would just do normal parameters and make sm adjustments to your liking as you learn. First get a thriving reef, then experiment. Stability is most important. Not going to comment on nutrients since that’s a deeper wormhole

Alk 7-10
Cal 420-450
Mag 1250-1400

 

[Jimbo327]

Try to be close to your salt, so when you do WC, it ain't a huge swing.

 

[Kilo]

Try to be close to your salt, so when you do WC, it ain't a huge swing.

Yeah ill be making the water change water the same as where i keep the dt at forsure!

 

[Kilo]

Probably gunna shoot for
9 alkalinity
450 calcium
1400 mag
Thinking im gunna switch salt mix cause instant ocean seems low. Hanna marine seems closest

 

[drexel]

I think close to NSW levels is a good target/range, but slightly elevated. I will bring up nutrients, because this is where you can bring up alk and be okay, but if you're goal is lower nutrients, then I would keep alk at natural levels. Remember, tests are based on a salinity of 35ppt, so make sure it stays as stable as possible.

 

[mescobar]

Have you tried collecting data to see how your parameters deplete between water changes before you start dosing? This is easy to do if you have an automatic water tester. For instance, I like to dose Kalk/Mag in order to keep my alkalinity stable and close to what its value is after a fresh water change.

Also on the topic of salt, I prefer to use same salt as my LFS. I don't have a huge water reservoir, I only keep ~25% salter water volume on hand water changes at any given time. If I ever have an emergency and need to do a huge water, I like the peace of mind of getting salt water from LSF, instead of having to mix my own in a short period of time.

 

[Kilo]

also i dont know if anyone uses red sea mag and calcium but i am using powder now... so i have two unopened 1 liters for 20 each ill ship no cost extra

 

[Kilo]

Have you tried collecting data to see how your parameters deplete between water changes before you start dosing? This is easy to do if you have an automatic water tester. For instance, I like to dose Kalk/Mag in order to keep my alkalinity stable and close to what its value is after a fresh water change.

Also on the topic of salt, I prefer to use same salt as my LFS. I don't have a huge water reservoir, I only keep ~25% salter water volume on hand water changes at any given time. If I ever have an emergency and need to do a huge water, I like the peace of mind of getting salt water from LSF, instead of having to mix my own in a short period of time.

ya i have been my coral use about .1 alk 10 cal and 20 mag daily

also there are no reliable lfs around me now that im in the boonies, they are all very sad around here unfortunately i wouldnt trust their water at all

 

[ilyad]

My ideal levels that I like to keep everything at is:

Alk: 8.5 (its between the acceptable 7-10 and gives room in case your parameter starts drifting)
Calc: 425
Mag: 1350

That being said, more importantly is the stability of the parameter, so as long as you can keep it stable within the acceptable ranges, that is much better than chasing exact numbers. And secondly, thats related, try to line up the water changes to what your tank levels are either by keeping your tank levels at mixed water or test and tweak your change water before putting in tank.

Keep it stable and keep it in acceptable range and you're set. Later down the line as you are able to consistently maintain that, then look into relationship of Alk with available food sources and lighting in your tank and can push the limits a bit for higher growth (although myself I never did that).