Raising CA and ALK with two part dosers.

[DEIGNAN14]

I am new to the two part method. I run two dose pumps and I dose BRS CA (during day) and ALK (at night). I run a young 80 gallon system with a heavy SPS load.

I have been monitoring parameters and adjusting my daily amount for a couple of months. I am currently dosing 30ml of each daily. I am finally stable at 400 and 8.5 DKH. I would like to get my CA up to 450 ish.

My MG was around 1200. I brought that up to 1600 (a little high) last week. I also went several days adding an extra 10-15 ml of both CA and ALK to raise my levels.

My levels came up to 450 and 8.5 for a few days but dropped back down. My MG is back down to 1250 as of this morning.

If I understand this correctly - it appears that my tank demand is roughly 30ml of each per day. If this is what my tank is consuming - why arent my "extra doses" bringing levels up and keeping them there?

Thanks!!!

 

[DEIGNAN14]

BTW I realize the CA lift was in part due to the increase in MG.

My question is: Once you determine your tanks daily rate of consumption. Can you make a one time correction to get to the desired level and expect it to stay there?

 

[KSC]

If you have to make corrections your dosing rate is too low. If you "went several days adding an extra 10-15 ml of both CA and ALK to raise my levels" and then your levels dropped you need to add this to your daily dose. Try adding 5ml/day, and checking your levels daily. I only check ALK when trying to dial in the doser, then when that is stable you can check CA and usually correct it with one or 2 doses. Once you get the dosers dialed in you'll be surprised how quickly the consumption rates increase. I think I went from 30ml/day to 300ml/day in less than a year. Those BRS 5 gal. buckets will become your friend...

 

[DEIGNAN14]

Thanks KSC!

I will give this a shot. I have to admit that does not make sense to me. Increasing the daily rate now that its been stable seems like it would result in excess CA and ALK over time.

I hope the 10X increase on the doser comes along with a 10X increase in growth!!