Calcium reactor newbie?

[Reefer508]

I'm kinda new to calcium reactors, so looking for some input. I've had one set up for a few months and things have been going fine. Cal, Alk, and Mag holding steady with small sings up and down together. Now seems my Alk is treading up but Calcium and Magnesium are staying stable. Should I turn feed down to lower Alk and dose Cal and Mag when needed or wait and see if it stabilizes?
Alk......was 8.9 to 9.1 now 9.4 to 9.5
Cal..... 440 to 450
Mag...1425 to 1475
Daily testing with Trident and manual confirmation.

This just started in the last 3 days. Haven't added anything new or done anything to tank. Corals look great.

Thanks for any insight and Happy Reefing

 

[cilyjr]

There is usually a slight imbalance between alkalinity and calcium usage. Organisms are taking up slightly more carbonate than calcium.

Also, and correct me if my memory is lapsing, but something about testing because there is more calcium in seawater, so an alk test will drift faster.

If the system is new it could simply be that the heaters and equipment are getting a nice layer of Calcium Carbonate.
If it's not new look to see if there is some reason Stony coral growth is being inhibited for some reason, I use alk consumption as a Stony coral growth measurement.

 

[dz6t]

The reason more alkalinity (in molecules counts) gets consumed than calcium is due to all photosynthesis organisms such as soft coral, zoas, use alkalinity as carbon source while calcium is mostly for building skeletons.