Akl ?

[ansonluna]

Just switched over to B-Ionic because I could not get my Cal up with what I was using before. Now my Akl is through the roof and I cannot seem to get my Cal over 280. What can I do? I am starting to dose more of the part 2 (cal) and not dosing part 1 (alk).

[GaryP]

OK, Calcium and Alkalinity have to be in balance. Have you tested your magnesium? If its where it needs to be (1300-1400 ppm) that will help get it back in balance. Wait for the Alkalinity to come back down and then start doseing the calcium again. You probably need to do a lot of testing in order to establish your weekly calcium and alkalinity demands and how much of the B-ionic to use to meet those demands.

[gjuarez]

If you are going to raise your calcium, do it slowly. What type of corals do you keep? What salt are you using? Instant Ocean? If you went barebottom, remember that you are going to have a decrease in demand of alk and cal.

[GaryP]

By raising your calcium you will bring the alkalininity down, but unfortunately that is going to by precipitating calcium carbonate. This is usually starts first in the pumps and they will need to be cleaned frequently. You also rish causing a "blizzard" when runaway precipitation occurs. Unfortunately the levels will crash and you will have to start over bringing them up again. In addition you are going to end up using very expensive additive to make sand. Having your alkalinity crash will also do wicked things to your pH.

Alkaliniy has a downward trend due to the fact that it is used up by bacterial activity. I would wait for it to come down on it own with the help of a couple of good sized water changes. Then start raising your calcium levels along with some extensive testing to determine your daily or weekly calcium and alkalinity demands of your system.

[ansonluna]

Cool. Thanks, I don't want to crash my tank. I have built quite a collection of SPS. Here in the next three weeks or so I will be switching to the BB tank. So basically, I am gonna stop dosing everything until my Alk comes down, get a Mag test kit and get that squared away, and do some good water changes. Thanks for all the help guys.

[GaryP]

A blizzard won't crash your tank, but it will crash your levels and it will definitely stunt any growth you have going on now.