Kalkwasser or Two Part Alkalinity (Dealing with Dinoflagellates)

Hi Guys,

I talked with John Maloney last night and he seems to think that I have a small case of dinoflagellates. Since nothing has worked that I have done thus far and he is the expert, I am inclined to agree. I have read that increasing Ph and no water changes are a way of getting rid of them. I did a ten gallon water change yesterday, so I may try that. I haven't not done a water change once a week ever. I did the full battery of tests this morning and these were my results:

Sg: 1.026
Temp: 77.5
Ph: 8.3
Ammonia: 0 ppm
Nitrite: 0 ppm
Nitrate: 0 ppm
Phosphate: 0 ppm
Alkalinity: 10.6 DKH
Calcium: 435 ppm
Magnesium: 1425 ppm

I try to keep my magnesium at 1500 ppm, so I am going to dose that today.

My question is whether I should use Kalkwasser or my two part alkalinty mix from bulk reef supply. If I use the two part, I am thinking of shooting for 11-12 alkalinity and 8.4-8.5 for Ph. Would you recommend that or using a kalkwasser mix? If the kalkwasser, do I mix it via the directions and dose it directly or add it to my top off water? I have never used it so I am unfamiliar with it. Thanks in advance!!!!

Regards,
Ivy

 

11-12 kh seems a little high to me. IDK if that's still in the normal range tho. I would use the two part just because you have much better control over your parameters. Kalk will always add everything in the same proportions.

If you do you kalkwaßer, use it in top off. Mix it and let it settle to the bottom of the container. Then pour it in (in the morning before the lights are on, preferably), making sure none of the white crap in the bottom goes in. You should still have some 2part on hand to adjust your levels if something gets out of wack.

 

Thanks!!! I thought that 9-11 DKH was normal for alkalinity, but I might be wrong. I think that I might just use the two part like you suggested. Thanks!!!!