Dosing

[Jpaul]

Can someone explain to me if I am using a 2 part with equal amounts, why it seems my Alk keeps climbing while my calcium ends up decreasing daily. Is it wise just to ose calcium till the alk is more where I want it?

 

[Buck0land]

Systems can use alk and calcium at different rates. You should let you system run for a week (if you can) without dosing so you can find out how much you need to dose of each. only test at the start and end of the week.

 

[Jpaul]

I just started dosing, the salt usually was enough, but as things are growing its absorbing more, so is it possible I shouldn't dose the alk and ca equally if they aren't absorbing at the same rate?

 

[jcs11236]

Correct. All tanks are different. My tank sucks up more alk so I dose alk more daily

 

[jcs11236]

Stability is key. Get the levels ideal and maintain them

 

[Jpaul]

So are there days you dose alk but not ca? I thought if you don't dose equal amounts it throws everything off.

 

[rideit6578]

No you just have to figure out how much of each you need to keep your levels where you want them to be. I add 35ml of alk while I add 65ml of calc everyday and my tank stays at 8.2 and 440. But as said earlier everyones tanks are different.

 

[Jpaul]

Got you, thanks.

 

[james1990]

does it matter what time of day you test for cal and ALK?

 

[JonnyJ]

should test the same time of day whenever you do, i suggest when your lights have been on for a while..

my light schedule is 10am-7pm - i test around 6pm.