WMAS Discussion Forum : Calcium Dosing... How long?

WMAS Discussion Forum : Calcium Dosing... How long? http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/ Copyright (c) 2006-2013 Web Wiz Forums - All Rights Reserved. Sun, 05 Jul 2026 01:35:10 +0000 Thu, 11 Nov 2010 13:58:03 +0000 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Web Wiz Forums 12.03 360 www.utahreefs.com/forum/RSS_post_feed.asp?TID=44515 <![CDATA[WMAS Discussion Forum]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/1by1.gif http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/ <![CDATA[Calcium Dosing... How long? : My reef doser was one of the best...]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=44515&PID=384624&title=calcium-dosing-how-long#384624 Author: jcom
Subject: 44515
Posted: November 11 2010 at 1:58pm

My reef doser was one of the best investments I've made for my tank (along with an osmolator). Once you get it tuned in, it's basically set and forget (not really, I still test for good measure). My Ca gets dosed every 12 hours and my Alk gets dosed every 3 hours. That way, especially with Alk, there aren't dips and spikes.

By switching to homemade 2 part, I'm saving $100s per year.

]]> Thu, 11 Nov 2010 13:58:03 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=44515&PID=384624&title=calcium-dosing-how-long#384624 <![CDATA[Calcium Dosing... How long? : Another recommendation would be...]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=44515&PID=384614&title=calcium-dosing-how-long#384614 Author: ninja_brandon
Subject: 44515
Posted: November 11 2010 at 12:53pm

Another recommendation would be to check out some Alk/Ca/Mg dosing guides. Or even check out Bulkreefsupply.com.

They have a nice little starter package that comes will everything you need for dosing and its around $40.

Click here

This may help to get you on course and dosing accurately. There is also a very nice tutorial video of how to use the chemicals made by bulk reef supply.

Click here

Also if you want to save even more money you could just order the calcium chloride and magnesium chloride from them and pick up some baking soda and epsom salt from the store to cover the Alkalinity portion and the other Magnesium Chloride portion that are needed in dosing. This helped me alot to see a visual representation as seen in the tutorial video.

]]> Thu, 11 Nov 2010 12:53:43 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=44515&PID=384614&title=calcium-dosing-how-long#384614 <![CDATA[Calcium Dosing... How long? : I tested again tonight and am...]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=44515&PID=384555&title=calcium-dosing-how-long#384555 Author: vadryn
Subject: 44515
Posted: November 10 2010 at 11:05pm

I tested again tonight and am pleased. CA is 400 now and Alk is down to 16. I will dose the CA "normally" until Saturday, test, and then take a week off and test again to see how fast it's getting used.]]> Wed, 10 Nov 2010 23:05:34 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=44515&PID=384555&title=calcium-dosing-how-long#384555 <![CDATA[Calcium Dosing... How long? : You weren't dumb. My remark...]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=44515&PID=384151&title=calcium-dosing-how-long#384151 Author: Mark Peterson
Subject: 44515
Posted: November 09 2010 at 9:40am

You weren't dumb. My remark is why would the manufacturer be so dumb with their instructions!

At one point in this hobby, I didn't dose anything and didn't do water changes for 18 months. I couldn't keep Hermits alive and thought the Sixline was killing them so I got rid of the fish. That was dumb. Wink

Soon after, I found out about Alk and Ca and my life was changed forever. Big smile

]]> Tue, 09 Nov 2010 09:40:18 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=44515&PID=384151&title=calcium-dosing-how-long#384151 <![CDATA[Calcium Dosing... How long? : It makes me feel dumb, but I was...]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=44515&PID=384142&title=calcium-dosing-how-long#384142 Author: vadryn
Subject: 44515
Posted: November 09 2010 at 8:40am

It makes me feel dumb, but I was really doing what I was told by the instructions. Oh well. Thanks for the correcting advice.

This is the last of Kent's I'm going to buy. I have to dose WAY too much to justify paying this. I saved a lot by getting this online instead of on sale at the LFS, but it's price is just not justified IMO.

]]> Tue, 09 Nov 2010 08:40:20 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=44515&PID=384142&title=calcium-dosing-how-long#384142 <![CDATA[Calcium Dosing... How long? : Oh, sorry. I forgot you are using...]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=44515&PID=384140&title=calcium-dosing-how-long#384140 Author: Mark Peterson
Subject: 44515
Posted: November 09 2010 at 8:28am

Oh, sorry. I forgot you are using the Kent liquid two part solutions.
I was trying to fully describe the homemade liquid Calcium solution, to be sure you knew "2 cups of what?"

The problem caused by too much Alk has to do with coral and sensitive fish parts like gills getting "burned". This can lead to slow death. Dead

An Alk of 20 and dropping isn't bad enough to be concerned about.

Calcium can be "dumped" in without causing any bad effects. That's why I said 2 cups. But since the Alk is dropping and is now below 20 (with that 60 ml you added), you can keep adding and checking. You are doing well. Thumbs Up

Now that you know to add only the component that is needed(Alk, or Ca, or Mg, or etc.), you have passed an important milestone in your understanding of reef chemistry. Thumbs Up

]]> Tue, 09 Nov 2010 08:28:40 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=44515&PID=384140&title=calcium-dosing-how-long#384140 <![CDATA[Calcium Dosing... How long? : I went home at lunch and tested...]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=44515&PID=384006&title=calcium-dosing-how-long#384006 Author: vadryn
Subject: 44515
Posted: November 08 2010 at 2:24pm

I went home at lunch and tested again - thinking that maybe I tested a little too soon after dosing and not being sure I trusted the numbers. Alk was 20, not 22. I dosed another 60ml of the A and will test CA and ALK again tonight to see if things are turning around.

What kinds of "problems" would I look for? Everything seems to be normal, including invert activity, coral extension and appearance, fish...

]]> Mon, 08 Nov 2010 14:24:38 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=44515&PID=384006&title=calcium-dosing-how-long#384006 <![CDATA[Calcium Dosing... How long? : I don't know what you mean...]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=44515&PID=383993&title=calcium-dosing-how-long#383993 Author: vadryn
Subject: 44515
Posted: November 08 2010 at 12:35pm

I don't know what you mean by " 2 cups of RO water-Calcium Solution"

I don't have an RO unit, either.

Thanks.

]]> Mon, 08 Nov 2010 12:35:45 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=44515&PID=383993&title=calcium-dosing-how-long#383993 <![CDATA[Calcium Dosing... How long? : We can provide much better directions...]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=44515&PID=383991&title=calcium-dosing-how-long#383991 Author: Mark Peterson
Subject: 44515
Posted: November 08 2010 at 12:23pm

We can provide much better directions specific to your tanks exact needs. Wink

Alk that high may cause problems if it hasn't already. It needs to be dropped ASAP. Pour in 2 cups of RO water-Calcium Solution and don't fret if the tank water gets cloudy. That's the tank chemistry taking care of the extra Alk. It won't hurt a thing. Test the Alk and Ca 12 hours later and let us know what they are. That will probably bring things close to where they should be.
]]> Mon, 08 Nov 2010 12:23:02 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=44515&PID=383991&title=calcium-dosing-how-long#383991 <![CDATA[Calcium Dosing... How long? : A 2 part like that is used to...]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=44515&PID=383990&title=calcium-dosing-how-long#383990 Author: Ryan Thompson
Subject: 44515
Posted: November 08 2010 at 12:14pm

A 2 part like that is used to maintain levels. Only add calcium right now and just watch alk, if alk drops add a little bit. I never follow the dosing guides]]> Mon, 08 Nov 2010 12:14:50 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=44515&PID=383990&title=calcium-dosing-how-long#383990