Is this a ALK Swing?

bmooney31 · Jan 2, 2011

Ok so I was recalibrating my 2 part dosing amounts. Well after slowly getting my alk to 9 and then I let it go for 24 hours and tested again, and my ALK was 7.39. So I used the BRS reef cal and roughly 5.6oz will get it up to 9. My question is if I have to dose 5.6oz of ALK solution a day (which I do in the morning) isnt that a big swing to go from 7.4 then up to 9. how can I get this difference more in check? Is a dosing pump the answer? should I just divide the 5.6 by 24hrs and run a dosing pump? if anyone has any other info I'd appreciate it. Or is what I"m doing not that bad? Sorry for rambling on. Trying to type and listen to NFL pregame.

subielover · Jan 2, 2011

Yes, I would consider that a substantial swing. Dosing pumps would be preferable, although I prefer to dose kalkwasser first and dose 2 part second (if needed at all after the kalk).

Murfman · Jan 2, 2011

or you could dose more than once a day, once in the morning and once in the evening. Ideally a dosing pump is the answer as it would dose small amounts the whole day long instead of at once.

What is the make up of your tank?

bmooney31 · Jan 2, 2011

If I dose kalk does that take care of calcium also? Murfman I think I'm gonna go with the dosing pump. I did win fantasy football this year so a 400 check will be here soon. I'll be buying the brs pumps. What timers do you guys use for those? If I get that swing down should my sps color up more? This issue is on a drag system that's 140 gallons total. 72x24x12 tank and 90 gallon sump with live rock. It's all sps and a few chalice. The frags look good but some of my colors aren't where they should be. Could this be due to the alk swings? I'm thinking it is cause I've troubleshooted all the other known reason for browning out or color loss. All my params are 0