Affects/corrections of out of balance CA/ALK

[stubbsz]

I've noticed that my ALK has crept out of balance with my CA. It's not that my ALK is too low per se but that my CA is much higher than I thought.

My CA is 500. My ALk is 3.6 meq/l

Should I try and bring up ALK using extra baking soda and continue to dose as per intructions (monitoring closely). Or, should I cut back on the CA in my daily dose? Or should I up the Alk dose daily... or a combo ?

Is this out of balance enough to cause any obvious issues.... I've had distinct growth issues (lack of in sps) and some bleaching.

I finally got my Mg test kit and the reading was very high 1500.

Salinity 1.025+
Nitrates reading 0 now but i do have a patch of HA on one set of zoos so take that with a pinch of RC.
Phosphates 0.
Temp. 78.6 - 81.5 ( I have the odd day in CA where if I dont interfere it will climb into the 83 range)
I think that is all I test for.

 

[Anonymous]

If it were me, I would simply keep dosing the alkalinity and stop dosing calcium for a few days, and see where it goes from there. Of course knowing your daily consumption would be useful too so you don't over shoot dropping the calcium.

 

[trido]

A couple quick WCs with some IO will fix it up quickly for you as well. Ca. 350, dkh 10.5 That is, if you use IO for salt.

 

[stubbsz]

A couple quick WCs with some IO will fix it up quickly for you as well. Ca. 350, dkh 10.5 That is, if you use IO for salt.

:lol: I changed to RC a while back so that when I did WC's, it didn't lower my calcium so badly.

I think, I'll back off the calcium til I get it balanced and then I have to figure out a better CA part to keep the balance going forward.

So no one mentioned ill affects of the numbers I have.... I'm thinking it's not so far out of whack that it should be a major problem.

-Adrian

 

[Kevin1000]

Balance is a relative term and I think your specs are fine.

Are you using Oceanic ... that salt is noted for having high calc, mag and a tad low on alk. If so .. most Oceanic users simply add a small amt of alk.

 

[stubbsz]

I use Reef Crystals which does have higher CA than I used to have with IO.

Thanks for the input.

-Adrian