alk,cal,mag bulkreef supply

I got my mag to 1350 with the bulkreef 2 part kit. I have tested my cal and alk five days ago and got cal 490ppm, alk 10.5 dkh. Over the past five days the calcium dropped 15 ppm and the alk droped .4 dkh. So when looking at the bulkreef calculator I put in my results to see what i will need to be dosing daily to keep it at 475 cal and 10.1 alk. I got 92ml for calcium to raise it 15ppm and 17ml alk to raise it .4. What I dont understand is I thought it was supposed to be dosed equally. So by dividing it all up I got that I should dose 18.4ml of calcium solution daily to keep it at 475 if my tank is consuming 15ppm per 5 days and 3.4ml of alk solution per day since the tank only consumed .4 over the 5 days. Someone please help?

Thanks

 

Following!

I too am confused by the BRS calculator, it told me to raise my Mag from 1300 to 1450ppm it would take 450ml! I called BRS and the guy on the phone said that was correct for 22 gallons of water. I dosed 50ml per day and tested and it only took 100ml to shoot past 1600ppm, I called back and the same guy told me my test kit was bad (New Red Sea Pro Test Kits). I now dose in small amounts daily to reach my desired levels.

 

Did you perform a water change in between testing?
Do you use PH buffers, use tap water for top off, have artificial live rock, or use Kalkwasser in top off?
All of these will effect ALK.

Corals and coralline algae use alkalinity and calcium at a rate of 2.8dKH per 20 ppm of calcium. From what I understand it is a mathematical illusion, because of the way we test, that makes it look otherwise at times.

What I would suggest is.
1st Get your magnesium near your target.
2nd Get your Alk and Calcium near your target.
3rd Dose your 2 part mix in EQUAL AMOUNTS, CALCULATED FOR ALKALINITY for a few days. Focus on keeping alk in check, don't worry so much on calcium.
4th Retest and adjust if needed, still using equal amounts of both alk and calc mixes.
5th Don't get to caught up on chasing numbers. Anywhere in between these are fine.
Alkalinity 7-11dKH
Calcium 380-450ppm
Magnesium 1250-1350ppm

 

Thanks vankirk that really helps.

 

Dosing equally is a myth. On one system, I use more alk than Ca, on another, more Ca than alk. My params are solid as a rock, and a heavy one at that.

 

Thanks anemone. cant wait for my lights, Its like being a 10 year old kid counting down the days to christmas!

 

...And christmas should be the end of the week, lol. I really like the BRS chemicals, it is pure stuff, and cheaper than having someone mix it for you.

 

Definitely!!! I always have to dose extra Calcium in my system.Dumb clams.LOL;D