Calcium & Alkalinity?

[Toadally]

In my effort to boost the alkalinity in my tank the calcium has started to drop. I'm dosing kalk at night and using the two part additive Kent Tech CB every 12 hours. I'm adding 10ml more of the buffer than the calcium. The calcium has dropped from 400 to 320 in the last few days. The alkalinity has only risen from 8 to 9dkh in that period of time. I'm dosing 20ml of the calcium and 30ml of the buffer, which is that max each 12 hour period. Am I dosing too much? Where do I go from here? Thanks for any help!

[golfish]

Those two part additives should be added in equal parts, At least this is what I have found when I used them. 9 dkh is ok. I hate to suggest it but how about using some KentTturbo calcium. Even a calcium level of 320 isn't that bad....

I went through that sea-saw battle for years. The cost of all those additives and time it takes to use them will pay for a Calcium reactor in a few years. Think about a Geo or MyReef reactor. I set a Geo reactor up for about 300.00 total

[Toadally]

Golfish,

Are you using the dual reactor that George makes? I have emailed him and gotten a qoute. His prices are really good. Have you had any problems with yours? Are you using a ph monitor? Thanks!

PS - How did you do it for $300?

[organicreefer]

ime,2 part additives(i use b-ionic,and HIGHLY reccomend it) might need to be dosed in different amounts.trying to use two parts and kalk can be a bit finicky ime.my advice is to get some b-ionic and forget that other stuff.

[golfish]

Toadally,
Yes, its a GEO dual stage reactor. IMO, its almost a must to use a PH monitor with a reactor. I used B-ionic for a few years and had ok results. The stuff is just a pain in the butt to add and it never worked really that well anyway. I was putting in 50-70ml of each part in my 55 daily. I know some people who used more of one part but its not recommended. Back then I was using buffer and Turbo calcium to adjust my alk and Ca along with B-ionic.

The calcium reactor is really the best way to go. Its set it and forget. The 5 pound bottle of CO2 last about 2-3 months and I have to refill the first stage of the reactor about every 3-4 months.

Geo reactor, dual stage-125.00
Reagulator, needle valve and solenoid(sp?)-159.00
CaribSea ARM-15.00

I get the CO2 bottles from work so that's going to cost you extra. I had the PH monitor

Mark