dosing question

[bob]

Hey guys quick question about dosing.

My parameters are currently at:
1.025 salinity
440calcium
7dkh
8pH
~1450mag

I use kalkwasser (in my top off water) to keep my parameters fairly stable, but I've noticed that I have trouble keeping my pH & alkalinity up. I have some ESV B-Ionic 2 part dosing solution and was wondering if I can get away with only dosing one of them? I only ask because they come as a set; so they supposedly balance each other out when dosed together. Thanks!

[kentlighting]

im not sure as far as dosing only one and not the other, but soda ash mixed up works great to up the alk.

[iap]

You should dose equal amounts of both

[mesafire]

I use a calcium reactor and when my Alk starts to dip which it does every 4 weeks or so, I add BRS sodium carbonate. So I just supplement with one. I believe Great Auk does the same thing (that's where I got the idea).

[tomgl]

I also use a calcium reactor and have to dose accordingly when things get out of sorts.

[TheGreatAukSociety]

In the set one adds the Calcium, the other adds the carbonate, they come together to make calcium carbonate aka coral skeletons. Adding Kalk adds a ton of Calcium, but adds only another molecule called a hydroxide ion, which needs to find some carbon and a bunch of other **** has to happen before it becomes a carbonate. Alot is lost in the process and the ratios needed are not 1:1. So the end result is you get a ton of Calcium and not enough carbonates (aka Alkalinity).

You can add just one part, but it's pointless to buy the 2 part for only 1 part of it. So people have a few ways to get just the second part.

Mesafire uses the BRS stuff which good
Kentlighhting uses the Soda Ash another good way.
I use the Seachem Reef Builder, right now.

[bob]

In the set one adds the Calcium, the other adds the carbonate, they come together to make calcium carbonate aka coral skeletons. Adding Kalk adds a ton of Calcium, but adds only another molecule called a hydroxide ion, which needs to find some carbon and a bunch of other **** has to happen before it becomes a carbonate. Alot is lost in the process and the ratios needed are not 1:1. So the end result is you get a ton of Calcium and not enough carbonates (aka Alkalinity).

You can add just one part, but it's pointless to buy the 2 part for only 1 part of it. So people have a few ways to get just the second part.

Mesafire uses the BRS stuff which good
Kentlighhting uses the Soda Ash another good way.
I use the Seachem Reef Builder, right now.

ah that explains a bit thank you. I already have the 2 part so I was trying to get away from having to buy something different. Shouldn't I still dose the calcium anyway? I mean worse case scenario is more precipitate on my heaters and pumps yea?

[Narazbad]

I use either Seachem 8.4 or Brightwell Alkalin 8.3

[bigronbo]

i have the brightwell 8.3 but seems in a 125 gal it takes a lot to get it to raise and doesnt hold well. i mix kalc and it goes up and holds longer.

[Narazbad]

Also the Kalk+2 helps some

[TheGreatAukSociety]

You should stop dosing calcium if its high. The water only holds so many things. Several possible results:

1. Pumps clog
2. It forces other desirable elements to fall out of solution.
3. Snowstorm
4. False specific gravity readings