Help me unscrew my parameters up...

[MrSkumFrog]

Ok I screwed up...
I did a water change a few weeks ago. I used my Apex to turn off my skimmer, pumps and powerheads. I turned off my alkalinity on my dosing pump, so it wouldn't drip into non moving water. I apparently didn't turn my pump back on!

I tested my water last night. My alk was 5.4 (it was 8.4 two months ago), my calcium was through the roof. I turned my calcium pump off last night.

So how should I proceed? I usually run my alk for 5 minutes on the hour, for ten hours during lights off. Should I simply turn on my alk pump? Should I run it for a few hour and increase it an hour every day? Any thoughts?

[Dkray944]

I would use the calculator on bulk reef supply's website to determine how much Alk to add. I would then SLOWLY add it in over a week or so while keeping a close eye on all of my parameters.

[polarbear]

+1 on the above. Use their formula to figure out how to raise it slowly back up then start your dosing again.

[Dean]

You can also use the recommended amount of daily Alk buffer to raise it 1 dkh per day so you can get back on track quicker. From my experience and everything I have read 1 dkh per day is safe for your reef. Also best to do it at lights out unless you run fuge lights on an opposite cycle then its best to drip it.