BRS 2-part dosing question

[christa1421]

Hi there. I’m still new and have had my 40g mixed reef tank up and running for almost 7 months. I am changing from Red Sea foundations to BRS 2-part dosing (alk, cal, and mag) and have them each mixed per instructions in their separate 1 g containers. I’ve watched the BRS video and it says to dose the same amount for calcium that you do for alkalinity. But what if my calcium levels are where they need to be? Could I just dose for the alkalinity? Why would BRS have a alkalinity calculator and a calcium calculator if the amount dosed is supposed to be the same amount? I’m confused. Current parameters:
Alk 8.5 dkH, calcium 425 ppm, phosphate 0.07, nitrate 7.8, pH 8.2, salinity 1.026, mag 1475.

 

[Mystersynyster]

I dose BRS two part as well, you can dose just Alk but in raising your Alk your Cal will more than likely drop. Slowly raise your Alk while keeping an eye on your Cal until you get it where you want it. Do multiple test over a week or two so yiu know how much Alk and Cal your tank is consuming in a week. Set dosing pumps to replenish each over a week, I find it best to dose my Alk in the morning and Cal in evening, just not at same time

 

[Wasabiroot]

The amount of calcium consumed comparatively to alkalinity in a reef system is much smaller and harder to test changes for accurately; I'd recommend testing alkalinity only right now for consumption (there's nothing wrong with testing both, but calcium doesnt translate to test results quickly. ) but they're ideally consumed in lockstep so even though it seems like you won't need to add it, your coral will consume both. You can always stop dosing calcium if it goes higher than you'd like, but most 2 parts are designed to be dosed simultaneously. It's a bit counterintuitive, but it makes sense if you dive into it.

Check out this excellent article by Randy Holmes Farley on dosing and consumption:

The "How To" Guide to Reef Aquarium Chemistry for Beginners Part 2: What Chemicals Must be Supplemented by Randy Holmes-Farley - Reefkeeping.com

reefkeeping.com

If that doesn't help, feel free to post in the reef chemistry section as well.

 

[Steve2020]

Hi there. I’m still new and have had my 40g mixed reef tank up and running for almost 7 months. I am changing from Red Sea foundations to BRS 2-part dosing (alk, cal, and mag) and have them each mixed per instructions in their separate 1 g containers. I’ve watched the BRS video and it says to dose the same amount for calcium that you do for alkalinity. But what if my calcium levels are where they need to be? Could I just dose for the alkalinity? Why would BRS have a alkalinity calculator and a calcium calculator if the amount dosed is supposed to be the same amount? I’m confused. Current parameters:
Alk 8.5 dkH, calcium 425 ppm, phosphate 0.07, nitrate 7.8, pH 8.2, salinity 1.026, mag 1475.

The reason for BRS having calculators for both is if you need to make corrections. Example would be your Alk is 8.5 but you want to increase your calcium to 450 because that is what your salt mix mixes at, you would input your water volume, input current reading of 425 and desired reading of 450 then add the recommended amount. Once that is done, determine your Alk consumption and dose equal parts of Alk and Calc.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Hi there. I’m still new and have had my 40g mixed reef tank up and running for almost 7 months. I am changing from Red Sea foundations to BRS 2-part dosing (alk, cal, and mag) and have them each mixed per instructions in their separate 1 g containers. I’ve watched the BRS video and it says to dose the same amount for calcium that you do for alkalinity. But what if my calcium levels are where they need to be? Could I just dose for the alkalinity? Why would BRS have a alkalinity calculator and a calcium calculator if the amount dosed is supposed to be the same amount? I’m confused. Current parameters:
Alk 8.5 dkH, calcium 425 ppm, phosphate 0.07, nitrate 7.8, pH 8.2, salinity 1.026, mag 1475.

Realize that if you are adding 0.5 dKH of the alk part, adding an equal volume of the calcium will only boost calcium by a bit over 3 ppm, a need or addition that you cannot detect by kit.

The beauty of a two part is you can roughly know how much calcium to add without trying to interpret tiny changes in a calcium test.

I recommend equal parts dosing unless calcium is ALREADY too high. Then adjust the calcium dosing long term if it is trending too high or too low. Don’t make daily calcium dosing changes.

FWIW, I designed the recipe BRS uses, so I’m not just speaking from a single experience.

 

[christa1421]

Thank you for the feedback. So I just tested and my alkalinity is at 8.4 dKH and calcium is at 381ppm. My goal numbers are 8.5 dKH and 420ppm for calcium. So when I’m using the BRS calculator it says I need to add 2.86 ml of the mixed soda ash solution. And when I use the calculator for the mixed calcium chloride, it says to add 159.67 ml. Am I supposed to be dosing 2.86 of each solution and not use the calcium calculator then?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Thank you for the feedback. So I just tested and my alkalinity is at 8.4 dKH and calcium is at 381ppm. My goal numbers are 8.5 dKH and 420ppm for calcium. So when I’m using the BRS calculator it says I need to add 2.86 ml of the mixed soda ash solution. And when I use the calculator for the mixed calcium chloride, it says to add 159.67 ml. Am I supposed to be dosing 2.86 of each solution and not use the calcium calculator then?

When making one time corrections, use an appropriate dose of whatever product to make those corrections. The equal parts dosing comment applies to routine daily dosing to maintain alk (determined by calculator) and use the same amount of calcium for that routine dosing.

If you are using ESV B-ionic, use this calculator to determine doses:

Reef Chemistry Calculator

reef.diesyst.com

 

[christa1421]

Thank you. 159.67 ml just seemed like a lot so I was a little nervous

 

[pecan2phat]

FWIW, I designed the recipe BRS uses, so I’m not just speaking from a single experience.

Hi Randy,
Would you happen to know the gram weight of BRS's soda ash and calcium chloride to make 1 gallon solutions? I've been using 421 grams for soda ash and 465 grams for calcium chloride and even after 4 years of dosing, I always end up having to dose 25% more calcium to achieve a balanced alkalinity and calcium level of 8.3 DKH and 420 ppm. Am wondering if my dry weight amount for the calcium chloride solution is off, thanks.

 

[SPS2020]

Hi there. I’m still new and have had my 40g mixed reef tank up and running for almost 7 months. I am changing from Red Sea foundations to BRS 2-part dosing (alk, cal, and mag) and have them each mixed per instructions in their separate 1 g containers. I’ve watched the BRS video and it says to dose the same amount for calcium that you do for alkalinity. But what if my calcium levels are where they need to be? Could I just dose for the alkalinity? Why would BRS have a alkalinity calculator and a calcium calculator if the amount dosed is supposed to be the same amount? I’m confused. Current parameters:
Alk 8.5 dkH, calcium 425 ppm, phosphate 0.07, nitrate 7.8, pH 8.2, salinity 1.026, mag 1475.

IMO, the tank is rather young to be dosing anything at this point. My experience suggests waiting at least one year before investing in any dosing equipment. YMMV