What would you do? Again with the x@#^*! Dosing

[spawn]

I'm using soda ash, & just checked the ph with lights out it reads 8.2 with an elos kit.

Originally Posted by shrimpchips

Are you using ash soda (Na2CO3) or sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3)?

If you're using soda ash, the additional sodium could be the source of your salinity woes. With twice as much sodium being dumped into your tank, the salinity will rise that much faster.

Also, what's your pH? I suspect it's on the higher side also since you're not getting the H+ from your Alk supplement (among other things). I know the amounts may seem trivial, but I think the combination of a high pH and high amount of CO3 and Ca you're having to add to the system may be causing your woes.

I would try switching your Alk supplement to sodium bicarbonate and see if that can change some of your fortunes. It sounds crazy that you'd need half a litre of supplement a day.....

[shrimpchips]

Originally Posted by spawn

I'm using soda ash, & just checked the ph with lights out it reads 8.2 with an elos kit.

Try testing the pH at the end of lights on - at the end of lights out, the pH gets depressed because everything in your tank isn't photosynthesizing, it's respiring through the night adding more CO2 to the tank depressing the pH.

Also, I'd switch your Alk supplement to sodium bicarbonate right away and see if that makes the difference for you. I suspect it will.

[spawn]

Originally Posted by shrimpchips

Try testing the pH at the end of lights on - at the end of lights out, the pH gets depressed because everything in your tank isn't photosynthesizing, it's respiring through the night adding more CO2 to the tank depressing the pH.

Also, I'd switch your Alk supplement to sodium bicarbonate right away and see if that makes the difference for you. I suspect it will.

I've retested after the lights have been on for an 1.5 hours & it reads 8.1-8.2 based on color. If I do switch to the recipe 2 Alk supp how will that help with the ca levels? Is it through the slightly lower ph that ca is able to elevate because of the decreased alkalinity?

[spawn]

Last winter it seemed the ph was lower. Which is why I had chosen the recipe 1 for the slight raising effect. & it worked until august from march all paras were spot on. How does the system just change Like that?

[StirCrazy]

ok so lets see if I got this right. at 4ml/gal you were causing percipitation and now your down to 1.67/gal and tyour finding you Ca is dropping.

seams pretty simple.. the number you want is between 1.67 and 4.

so try bump up your Ca additive a bit, say 2.0/gal reduce testing to every second day while you dial it in. once a week is how often a known stable tank can wait.

I personaly don't like the home made dosing as I find the consistancy of it isn't the best, but some people like it and have good luck.

Steve

[spawn]

Originally Posted by StirCrazy

ok so lets see if I got this right. at 4ml/gal you were causing percipitation and now your down to 1.67/gal and tyour finding you Ca is dropping.

seams pretty simple.. the number you want is between 1.67 and 4.

so try bump up your Ca additive a bit, say 2.0/gal reduce testing to every second day while you dial it in. once a week is how often a known stable tank can wait.

I personaly don't like the home made dosing as I find the consistancy of it isn't the best, but some people like it and have good luck.

Steve

Yes that's it! percipitation? How many people do you know doing much more than 1.5ml per gal? Correct. Do you mean increase testing to every 2 days? Home made dosing?

[StirCrazy]

Originally Posted by spawn

How many people do you know doing much more than 1.5ml per gal?

hmm.. personaly none cuz I don't know anyone who doses there tanks, but I suspect quite a few would have had to if we dosed.

my old tank (90 gal) had a Ca reactor which was sized for a 500 gal tank, running full out, plus I used a kalk reactor for my make up water. go back 10 years ago when people did two part by hand, there were always problems with the precip. Randys two part was a new thing back then and lots of people were having problems with getting the stuff to make it up here with out it having a bunch of garbage in it.

Steve

[spawn]

Originally Posted by shrimpchips

Try testing the pH at the end of lights on - at the end of lights out, the pH gets depressed because everything in your tank isn't photosynthesizing, it's respiring through the night adding more CO2 to the tank depressing the pH.

Also, I'd switch your Alk supplement to sodium bicarbonate right away and see if that makes the difference for you. I suspect it will.

I will likely do this Thx.

[mark]

Did you actually measure the new SW batch before adding?

Again as others said, dosing is to maintain what your tank consumes. After a WC supplement back up to your target levels and once you have matched your dosing to coral uptake, leave the dose settings alone.

[spawn]

Originally Posted by mark

Did you actually measure the new SW batch before adding?

Again as others said, dosing is to maintain what your tank consumes. After a WC supplement back up to your target levels and once you have matched your dosing to coral uptake, leave the dose settings alone.

Yes