I think I'm heading for a crash...eeesh.

[juiceguy]

i would do a 25% water change, re-check parameters and adjust dosing from there with the 2 part and lay off the buffer. no need to add buffer if your alk test results are normal, if low ph is a problem then try increases circulation as you may have a CO2 problem

 

[mstrofdisaster]

i would do a 25% water change, re-check parameters and adjust dosing from there with the 2 part and lay off the buffer. no need to add buffer if your alk test results are normal, if low ph is a problem then try increases circulation as you may have a CO2 problem

Some folks here are recommending 50% w/c. I'm still thinking about how much to do. Thanks for chiming in.

-Chris

 

[juiceguy]

i prefer making smaller changes than larger 1's, if parameters are still not where they should be, you can always do another 25%, it is a small tank so it shouldn't be so hard.

 

[mstrofdisaster]

i prefer making smaller changes than larger 1's, if parameters are still not where they should be, you can always do another 25%, it is a small tank so it shouldn't be so hard.

I will take that into consideration. I kinda prefer to do a large one and see what happens...but your reasoning is sound as well.

 

[juiceguy]

np...........good luck

 

[CancerverO]

hey.. I had my ALK high and my calcium high,, also PH low.. my torch coral died because of hat.. I did a 50% WC and 10~15% weekly WC .. I didn't dose anything for like a month and now all my parameters are fine. I have a 24nano cube.. now I only dose Ca .. Alk is fine.. hope it helps...

best of luck...

 

[mstrofdisaster]

hey.. I had my ALK high and my calcium high,, also PH low.. my torch coral died because of hat.. I did a 50% WC and 10~15% weekly WC .. I didn't dose anything for like a month and now all my parameters are fine. I have a 24nano cube.. now I only dose Ca .. Alk is fine.. hope it helps...

best of luck...

Yeah - I'd like to get back to basics, get the params straight again and dose only for true needs, and monitor closely after dosing.

BTW - What are your readings for Ca and Alk these days?

 

[CancerverO]

I know Ca is 380~400... I had a clam so I was dosing to keep it around 450.. but I don't have it anymore.. also I was told that depends on the corals you are keeping.. I have mostly zoas and acans, ,, so I think my Ca level is fine.. my alk .. I think 3. something.. I will check today.. but before I think it was 5~6 .. I believe... and do not use PH buffer.. I was using that too to increasy my PH since was low.. but that is a momentary fix ( dont solve the problem) and was the cause of my high ALK..

 

[Lolli631]

I would do a 25% water change without dosing the water and recheck tomorrow. FYI, I do a weekly water change of 3 gallons in my AP24 without dosing anything. I use Reef Crystals and all params are normal (Ca and Alk).

 

[aaron23]

OMG i thought you said 8.6 DKH so i didnt freak out and realize...what everybody was talking about lol... Oh my GEEZ?

8.6 meq/l = 24.08 DKH

How long has the ALK been this high over the roof? if it wasnt too long (dont want to fluctuate the parameters) If not too long get them back at where they should be.....
, * WOW DO that 50% water change omg... *

 

[Killerdrgn]

i wonder why you didn't get a calcium storm if you normally kept your Ca at 380-400.

 

[mstrofdisaster]

i wonder why you didn't get a calcium storm if you normally kept your Ca at 380-400.

Storm as in precipitate?

Anyway, got 12 gallons mixed last night - going to test the water and make sure its in good shape first. Then its time for a big change this evening.

 

[Bob 1000]

I would do a 50% WC to get the alk down. Let it come down more on its own if needed. You can easily add some ESV to bump your cal and mag

Would just adding dowflake powder to the tank raise the Calcium????

 

[Deanos]

Would just adding dowflake powder to the tank raise the Calcium????

Yes, but probably after killing the inhabitants. The powder is supposed to be dissolved in freshwater and then added to the system.

 

[Bob 1000]

Yes, but probably after killing the inhabitants. The powder is supposed to be dissolved in freshwater and then added to the system.

Okay thanks I always wondered about that... Because I used to use esv sodium chloride directly to the tank for a quick calcium boost after being away, before I had a doser...

 

[mstrofdisaster]

I'm pretty much settled on the 50% w/c at this point. I hate the idea of adding any more chemicals at this point.

Thanks for the advice Bob.

-Chris

 

[Killerdrgn]

yeah shouldn't your system have turned all white if you lost the calcium that fast?

 

[mstrofdisaster]

Just the opposite killer, when I dosed too much once it had the cloudy precipitate until I did a partial w/c, and took about 24 hrs to clear.

 

[mstrofdisaster]

I did the 50% w/c last night. Nothing like carrying 100lbs of water down the stairs and 100lbs back up, but that's a story for the waaaaambulance thread I guess.

The Oceanic I mixed had the following parameters:

Ca: 450
Alk: 4.58 meq/L -or- 12.8dKH
NO3: 0
Mg: 1380ppm
pH: 8.3


This morning I only had time to test pH, which is now 8.3, down from 8.6 or a bit higher. No loss of anything overnight. I considered taking a day off to finish testing, but I need a check to support my habit.

 

[aaron23]

wow i never knew oceanic was that high in all of their parameters.... that seems like a good batch DANG!

Q: what is the salinity of that measured batch?