B IONIC 2PARTS

[Kristy]

Assuming you did the test correctly, followed the directions correctly, etc. AND that both your tests are accurate, then both calcium and alkalinity results would be low.

[glennr1978]

I wouldn't worry about dosing for Ca, and Alk. Given the corals you are / want to keep I think just doing regular water changes with a decent salt mix would be sufficient. Anyone disagree?

[ErikH]

I completely agree with Glenn here. Water changes weekly, maybe ten gallons with Reef Crystals salt should keep your tank quite healthy. As bstreep as said "Saltwater is cheap." and I agree. James, I just added a CA reactor since I have put alot of SPS in there, and since I am going SPS dominant (even with a large fish load) I found that this is going to be the most managable, hands-off approach to keeping my tank. I am hoping that by next month I will have my tank situated enough to be able to keep my hands out of the water, only in to feed nori. In a tank that is not SPS dominant, just those changes should do you great.

[Ping]

Water changes may meet a systems requirement for Calcium and Alkalinity/(K)arbonate hardness. The water must be tested to determine a systems rate of consumption. New tanks have a tendency for pH shifts beyond the long term natural diurnal pH cycle. A long term steady and higher than natural seawater dKH provides many long term benefits.

Many problems / deaths in a new system can be alleviated by long term testing of Calcium and Alkalinity.

Testing should be daily, until the tanks normal parameters are measured. The time between testing can be extended when system norms are noted. During this testing cycle the determination of a systems consumption of calcium and buffer (Alk) are noted, and tank dosing is adjusted accordingly.

Stability is the key. Alkalinity is dangerously low in many tanks, and low Alkalinity contributes to the deaths of aquarium inhabitants.

[papijames]

thank you so much guys for all of your answers. I guess I will start doing weekly water change instead of bi-weekly. I currently use Red Sea Coral Pro salt and did a water change today. my Calcium & Alkalinity numbers were higher than what I had this morning.

[stoneroller]

I've been using 2 part solution from bulkreefsupply and this calculator http://reef.diesyst.com/flashcalc/flashcalc.html, love it. BTW, I'd be happy with a consistent 400 mg/l Ca!