Having trouble maintaining KH and CA

Man!! This is such a tricky hobby! I chased parameters for a very long time, but I couldn't do it anymore. The Bubble magus doser is working wonderfully and keeping my parameters stable, with exception of alk that fluctuates from 9.8 to 10.3... So something isn't right, but corals seem to like this better than when I didn't have the doser. I guess it is more stable anyway. I'm still dialing things in.

I do agree though with what everyone has been saying, Mg is usually the main cause of alk and ca drops.

I wonder.... Is your CA stable at 450 all the time, g-men?

- Mag.

 

Alk goes down when you add calcium, calcium goes down when you add alk.

 

Well the mystery contunues.

I ran test today and here are my values.

MG 1490

CA 400

PH 8.4

KH 7


I just cannot seem to get past the 7 mark.

 

Try to test it at the same time of the day for accurate data. Lets say 8 am or 8pm ect. I tested my Ca 600 couple weeks ago, now it's about 450-500. I dont do a lot of tests cuz chances that I'll screw thing up by trying to fix anything and will do more damage. Use baking soda if you need more Alk, or baked (300C for 1-2hrs) baking soda if you need to raise PH, just don't overdose it. I usually do 1 tea spoon for my 29g to lower my ph and raise Alk/Ca. I also do 20% water change with NSW.

 

G-men, what test kits are you using. I began with API and the Ca readings were way off once I switched to Salifert. API kits told me 420ppm when Salifert said 365ppm. Just another small factor of a big equation.