using b ionic........

[puffdaddy_1]

Hi guys,

I started using b ionic. I used a lot of the alkalinity to get up alk up to 4.57 meq/l. My calcium level level is at 390.

After one day, the alk dropped to 3.66 meq/l. Calcium only went down to 380. My tank is lightly stocked with only a few hard corals and a few softies in a 72. This alkalinity drop seems way too much for this tank.

I've been using this calculator:
http://www.kademani.com/reefchem.htm

It says that a "balanced calcium" for an alkalinity of 4.57 is 452ppm. My calcium is only 380

Does this explain why such the drastic drop in alk??? Is it because I am not using the 2 parts equally each day?

I appreciate your response and help

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

The drop you saw was perfect, within testing ability. A 1 meq/l drop in alkalinity should be accompanied by about 18-20 ppm of calcium.

Do not pay any attention to the "balanced" values in setting your targets. Just because alkalinity is high is not a reason that calcium should be high. It just indicates that if you add or subtract balanced additives, you'll be able to get to the NSW ratio of about 2.5 meq/L alkalinity and 420 ppm calcium.