I am new to the reef hobby and I read that Kalkwasser would keep your levels constant. I am dosing Brightwell+2 and for some reason my alkalinity keeps dropping. I will get the Alk level to 9 and my cal to 440 then in 3 days my cal stays the same but my Alk drops to 7.9. Can anyone help me to understand what I’m doing wrong.
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Dosing Kalkwasser but alkalinity keeps dropping (1 Viewer)
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Cody
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They’re not always consumed at the same ratio. It’s a long story why, but at the end of the day, what you need to know is that you should dose each element/compound according to the needs, or consumption, of your corals. Also allow for the fact that our hobbiest test kits aren’t always perfect.
Look towards magnesium and strontium if the consumption rate is off. That might give insight, but take it with a grain of salt.
Look towards magnesium and strontium if the consumption rate is off. That might give insight, but take it with a grain of salt.
No but I wouldn't add anymore if you are dosing.
Chemistry And The Aquarium: Solving Calcium And Alkalinity Problems
I hope this article proves useful is understanding and dealing with the different types of calcium and alkalinity problems encountered by reef keepers. Once you get calcium and alkalinity under control, you are far along the road to having your tank chemistry optimal for its inhabitants.
reefs.com
RobertP
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Most hobby test kits (my two) only go up to 1600 for Mag so dont dose that until it gets into range. I agree with Cody, only dose what needs to be dosed.
Kalk is a very weak solution even when fully saturated. Brightwell +2 is not fully saturated and therefore even a weaker solution. It’s time for you to move up to a bigger gun like 2-part, but understand every 2-part isn’t created equally.
For example:
-Comparison and potency of different 2-part solutions-
Aquaforest: 2500 dKH/L
Randy’s DIY 2-part recipe #2: 2660 dKH/L
BRS: 5300 dKH/L
Randy’s DIY 2-part recipe #1: 5300 dKH/L
Tropic Marin ALL-FOR-REEF & Carbo Calcium: 5600 dKH/L
ESV B-Ionic: 7840 dKH/L
Triton Core7: 9750 dKH/L
Red Sea: (I haven’t calculated this one yet)
As you can see, these are all quite different and imagine trying to keep up with a heavily stocked 800/G Acro tank with Aquaforest. Sure it can be done, but you’ll be dosing a lot of liquid. Just as you would trying to keep up with that 1/2 saturated Kalkwasser.
My suggestion....throw some ESV B-Ionic at it until you find its consumption rate and then dial it in steady. Or...just buy an appropriate sized Calcium Reactor.
For example:
-Comparison and potency of different 2-part solutions-
Aquaforest: 2500 dKH/L
Randy’s DIY 2-part recipe #2: 2660 dKH/L
BRS: 5300 dKH/L
Randy’s DIY 2-part recipe #1: 5300 dKH/L
Tropic Marin ALL-FOR-REEF & Carbo Calcium: 5600 dKH/L
ESV B-Ionic: 7840 dKH/L
Triton Core7: 9750 dKH/L
Red Sea: (I haven’t calculated this one yet)
As you can see, these are all quite different and imagine trying to keep up with a heavily stocked 800/G Acro tank with Aquaforest. Sure it can be done, but you’ll be dosing a lot of liquid. Just as you would trying to keep up with that 1/2 saturated Kalkwasser.
My suggestion....throw some ESV B-Ionic at it until you find its consumption rate and then dial it in steady. Or...just buy an appropriate sized Calcium Reactor.
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Why dose 3 when you can save a pump head?
ESV is one of the only true 2-parts on the market. It is a complete ionically balanced 2-part. You only need to dose the ALK and Cal. The Mag is in the Cal component. However, If your Mag starts to drop, they sell a third Magnesium component, but most reefers find they don’t need it. The Mag added to the Cal seems to be enough to keep most tanks on point. ESV also deals with the problem of ionic imbalance that most other 2-parts struggle with. ESV was developed in 1995 and adds back all the major, minor, and trace elements of an artificial seawater mix in their correct ratios. You will not find very many people (if any) that will say bad things about ESV.
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Ecamden
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I switched to a calcium reactor once I was dosing 160mL of 2 pat per day and will never again set up a reef tank without one. It's a little upfront investment but long term the stability and ease of use is second to none
Exactly. Even though it costs a little bit more than the BRS 3 part. I love only having to dose two components.
I would agree with Ecamden. I have always had issue with Salinity creeping up over time from two part. More magnified if its a low gallon system with a lot of SPS sucking up Alk and Ca.
That’s what I have is a 30 gallon with a lot of SPS and a few LPS. The cost of a reactor is a bit much for me right now but you make a great point on the B-Ionic. I’m going to order some tonight. I really appreciate the help. I am new to this site and it nice to be able to have people willing to help. Thanks again
ATI Essentials Pro 2 part. Nano folks seem to have pretty spectacular results. just like ESV however, the Mg is in the 2nd part of that 2 part solution so cant really be "uncoupled". i would consider ICP test or something of that nature as the starting point to rule out the test inaccuracies and find out what really going on with your water. If the Mg stays high, I would consider 3 part. if you are able to dial in your mag with 3 part, it is not a "wasted" pump head 
its good n cheap. lots of people use it.. some with excellent results. i would argue that dosing is an important component, but it is pretty safe to venture that the people with great results would achieve that with other brand names too since there is usually a substantial investment in other supportive equipment and careful procedures. unless your like me of course.. not everyone can consider themselves one of the greatest algae growing reefers around.
