okay im having an issue... i been using salinity salt last two water changes. Ive tested the last 6 days.. i keep getting my calcium at 370 and Alk 7.7. I like where my alk is but dont like where my cal is so in last two days i started dosinf bionic, i only dosed for two days so far. Tested both days. Two days ago i dosed 1ml of it (yes very low but i read to take it slow) and yesterday my cal was the same so was alk... yesterday i added 2.5ml of calc and today i tested my calc seems at 380 still having trouble reading these stupid tests. My alk went to 8.2..... sooo why??? Am i doing something wrong???? Im using salfert for alk test and red sea flr cal...someone please help a broskie out!? My tank is 29g and i can say it has a lot of corals lol. But only like 6 pieces of sps and they all seem fine
Water Testing Experts
- Thread starter Albz
- Start date
chrisstevens
Member
Your alk shouldn't have jumped up if you didn't add any of the alk component. Maybe just user error with the test kit, they can be hard to read sometimes. Also just on a side note alk will be slightly higher with lights full on then at the night when lights are all out. Thats just my 2 cents , ive never used bionic, only the powdered form that you mix up. With it you can use the calculator on BRS site and it will tell you what to add to get to your desired level. also upping the calc usually is not a problem for corals it's mainly the alk that effects them if raised to fast.
Alk should not go up if dosing just Cal. Crazy comment, but just want to clarify, are you sure you dosed the right bottle. They both say Calcium Buffer on the bottle, but you want bottle #2
Yes i checked that too haha! And yes bottle two i am using... only think thats changing is my alk which is super weird... maybe my test kits are being dumb! I just dont know whats happening lol
shamous113
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just curious what's your Mg at?
chrisstevens
Member
Good question, if your mag isn't high enough you may not be able to achieve certain parameters as the calc will just precipitate out. I aim for 1350 on mag.
Blob-79
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What are using to test your parameters?
AdInfinitum
Super Active Member
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- Thorndale, Ontario
Excellent article..simplifies what can be a complicated subject.
BIG STAR beside the "facts to remember" section...breaking these rules is what causes most people's problems with dosing.
Canadianeh
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I read this as well before I start dosing using Bionic 2 parts.
@Albz you should not dose one or the other. That is why they called them 2 parts additives. That article will help you understand more.
I am using Bionic 2 parts as well btw, and has been dosing for almost one week. I will post the result soon to ask these experts here of their opinion
I am using Exact Idip for Cal and Alk test, and Salifert for Mag test.
Skim
Active Member
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- Brantford, Ontario
OK I don't know for sure as I am not a chemist, but I believe the Exact Idip measures Cal as ( CaC03 ) which is calcium carbonate and other kits like Salifert measures the Element Cal. ( Free Cal. in solution ) so I believe it would show in a lower level. It would be worth checking before you start adding more Cal.
Canadianeh
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Exact idip allows you to see the value as Cal as well actuallly. It calculates it automatically.
MiniMoose
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- Sarnia, ON
Off topic kinda but I just got a dosing pump with 3 pumps and I have the proper chemicalS, what's the best way to get starred and do the chemicalS affect my ph if not how do I maintain a proper ph
I have brs calcium and soda ash
But I have ultra magnesium chloride by fauna marin please let me know
I have brs calcium and soda ash
But I have ultra magnesium chloride by fauna marin please let me know
AdInfinitum
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- Thorndale, Ontario
Read the article linked to above as it gives a good run down on the how's and why's of 2 part dosing. Ph is generally irrelevant and unnecessary to test as long as you are testing and maintaining Alk and the tank is adequately aerated.
Janice
Member
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- Oct 15, 2016
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- Mississauga
The Red Sea calcium kit is very inaccurate. I was getting such bizarre results that I went out and bought the Salifert and did the tests within minutes of each other. The Salifert was accurate. I did this side by side testing on 2 occasions, several weeks apart, and both times I had the same result-ie that the Red Sea was an impossible result. So I have switched. I do use the Red Sea for my other tests.
MiniMoose
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- Jun 29, 2015
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- Sarnia, ON
Thanks you
I think the red sea alk test is very inaccurate also.. the colour for me turns light orange not red like it says... weird