what should i do with these numbers randy?

[wasp9166]

just put my rock in last night, my cal is 415 and my alk is 3.77......if i continue to dose bionic or kalk will my alk continue to rise? should i just do nothing at this point? i guess what i want to know is when your alk is reaching its high point do you stop to worry about it and just concentrate on calc?

[vgibbens]

Here (http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/nov2002/chem.htm) is a link to an article by Randy

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

No need to do anything "because' of those numbers, but continuing to use some limewater or a small amount of B-ionic will help maintain pH (which is what now?). It is unlikely that calcium and alkalinity will get too high using a little of either. That's the beauty of balanced additives: if you add too much, you just get a little more abiotic precipitation of CaCO3 that you won't ever notice.

[wasp9166]

ph was 7.85 since i had windows closed for 4 days, even with skimmer house running outside, cold front came thru new york today , its now 8.05

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

I'd keep up one of those methods then. :)

[wasp9166]

k ,ty

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

You're welcome.

Good luck. :)

[wasp9166]

ive been dosing 15 ml of each every morning for 4 days, my calc is still 415 which is good but my alk is now 4.16......why is this and what course of action is required? thanx oh and ph is 8.21 , windows been open a few days

[vgibbens]

is that DKH or meq/L?

[wasp9166]

meq/l

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Those values look pretty good to me. :)

The change from 3.77 to 4.16 meq/l is small, and nothing to worry about, but it suggests that you can back off a tad on the dosing if you want. Maybe try 12 ml of each part for a while and see what happens.

[wasp9166]

ok ................im sure ill have more questions , thanx for the help

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

You're welcome.

Happy Reefing. :)

[wasp9166]

so what is the high side of alk where you should begin to worry and correct? esv says 3-3.75 you say 2.5-4.00..............maybe i didnt see it in your article but was there a zone where alk is high and calc is normal? what would you do in this event and what is the number ? 4.5? 5.0? ty

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

It is certainly possible to have elevated alkalinity and normal calcium, especially if the pH is on the low side. If it is substantially above 4 meq/L, I'd passively work to lower it (such as less alkalinity addition). If it is above 5.5 meq/L, I'd work more actively to lower it (water changes, calcium additions, etc).