[randymon]

How much c- balance would you add to a 55 soft coral tank w/ bak pac skimmer & hob refugium? My alk & cal stay ok between monthly water changes but my coraline algae is receding some & my ph stays at 7.8. Thought it would be good for essential elements too.

[Ninong]

What are your exact readings on calcium and alkalinity? What is the exact location of your tank?

If you are concerned that you might overdose, just start out small and test every five days or so before increasing the dosage. Start with just 1 tsp of each per day and then test after five days to see if there has been any increase in your measurements. If the numbers are not yet where you would like them, increase the dosage to 2 tsps of each per day, etc.

You might also want to consider whether dosing limewater (Kalkwasser) instead of a two-component additive wouldn't be better as well as cheaper. I use Mrs. Wages pickling lime. It works great and it is very cheap. It has the added advantage of precipitating phosphate and I don't have to worry about eventual ionic imbalance.

I like to maintain my calcium in a range of 425-475 ppm and my alkalinity in a range of 10-12 dKH. I am dosing limewater at night. My pH does not drop below 8.0 -- it usually stays in a range of 8.1 - 8.3.