So what am I doing wrong?

[Zippy69]

The three tests George notes are critical(Mg,alk,calcium).Water changes can help but ain't enough as corals grow. Since I have been more consistent in checking these weekly my corals have great color, cyano issue has dropped. This is the best thing I have done since setting up my 55 gal tank.

I currently dose with BRS 2 part and their magnesium. I am still titrating my daily dose but putting 50 ml of each daily seems to be holding it steady. At first I thought I was dosing way too much but have come to realize all the sps,coraline,other calcareous life forms in my tank are chewing it all up. BRS has a great calculation on their site to dose for any of these. Paul is probably going to point you to his cheaper homemade alk,calcium,magnesium. I started with BRS cause I like the dosing jugs and it makes mixing pretty basic. Next time I will go the route of Paul and make my own.

Pete

[mnat]

Your ammonia spike was the culprit. The all calm and mag will help you going forward but it all comes back to the ammonia and the unmixed salt. When you spike ammonia it is a domino effect. You spiked your nitrites and then spiked your nitrates. Inverts and corals are more sensitive to the ammonia cycle hence the die off which basically kicked off another cycle. The combo of new rock new sand and possibly the silicone in the sump is what started it. The unmixed saltwater just exacerbated the issues and is why your corals were mad.

From here, take a deep breath. We have all done something like this at some point. Monitor your water params especially nitrates and start doing bigger weekly water changes. Get the system settled before you try and move other levels. If the melanarus is gone, get a new clean up crew. Consider it a do over.

[ThatGuy]

OKAY.........I am at my witts end with this whole thing. I now have a diatom outbreak for about a week. Have to constantly blow all the corals at least once a day so they don't get choked out. Also since my calcium and pH has been low I started dosing kalkwasser. Since then everything has gone WONKY(see below). Nothings dieing, but on the same note nothing is growing outside of the diatoms. Its really about to be a FOWLR. This tank has been nothing but a headache ever since I upgraded from a 42 to the 75.

Before dosing
pH-7.8
Ammonia-0
Nitrates-0
Phos-0
Cal-360
Sal-1.024
Alk-7-8

After
pH-8.8
Alk-9
Ammonia-0
Phos-0
Nitrates-0
Sal-1.024
Cal-360

Had the LFS test and he got
pH-8.8
Alk-9
Phos-0
Nitrates-0
Ammonia-0
Cal-280?? (tested twice)
Sal-1.024

WTF right? I thought kalkwasser(brs) was suppose to raise calcium. I'm doing a tablespoon a day in my topoff(about 1.5 gal). Words can't even express how fustrated I am right now. I'm just BLA with the whole ****in thing. I just shake my head at it when I walk by.

As far as what I have that would use calcium is about 16 good size frags of SPS, 6 heads of mixed euphyllia, 7 chalice frags, 5 "minicolonies"(4+heads) acans, 2 favia frags, Metior shower cyprus, and about 100+ snails. I don't think this would use up all that calcium in such a short time. Maybe I'm doing something wrong or Maybe I just should stick with fish.

Any idea's would be very helpful. Or pointing and laughing works to.

[iTzJu]

Kalk isnt meant to be used to raise anything but to keep your parameters stable. Using 2-Part is the recommended way to raise your Cal/Alk. Kalkwasser is then used along side your ATO keep it those parameters stable. I suggest doing some water changes till your parameters stable out. What is your Mag level? if your mag level is out of whack this will make it very difficult to raise Cal/Alk to the recommended levels. Also a PH of 7.8 is not bad, it's in the acceptable range. I highly suggest to stop dosing anyhing for awhile and just do water changes till everything levels out. I would also test the salt you have been using to see if it's a bad batch.

[jgraz]

Kalk is used to maintain not raise. That might explain your high ph

[jgraz]

Kalk isnt meant to be used to raise anything but to keep your parameters stable. Using 2-Part is the recommended way to raise your Cal/Alk. Kalkwasser is then used along side your ATO keep it those parameters stable. I suggest doing some water changes till your parameters stable out. What is your Mag level? if your mag level is out of whack this will make it very difficult to raise Cal/Alk to the recommended levels. Also a PH of 7.8 is not bad, it's in the acceptable range. I highly suggest to stop dosing anyhing for awhile and just do water changes till everything levels out. I would also test the salt you have been using to see if it's a bad batch.

There you beat someone. Are you happy now. Lol

[Zippy69]

I do not have a magic answer but dosing should be 2 part. BRS has it or Paul( red fish blue fish) has a home made recipe. I keep my specific gravity at 1.026. At 1.025 you have less elements (Ca, Alk, Mg). If I am correct kalcwasser helps more with the alk.

My recommendation, get your specific gravity to at least 1.025, test your Magnesium, if it is low correct it. BRS has a calculator on their website for dosing amounts to reach desired level. Magnesium helps to keep calcium and carbonate from precipitating out in the water column. I keep mine at 1460. Dose with a 2 part solution. This way you are adding equal amounts of carbonate and calcium, to prevent a seesaw effect ( as one goes up the other will inversely go down) maintaining these parameters consistently is key.

[redfishbluefish]

I can’t comment on kalkwasser…..never have used it and probably never will.



HOWEVER, a number of people have suggested using two part. You can buy this at any LFS, online, or make your own. I would also suggest you add testing for magnesium and dose accordingly.

You have a calc, alk and mag problem and you’re not listening. There, I’ve said it! Test for these and dose specifically for these and everything will be fine.

[Zippy69]

Kalk isnt meant to be used to raise anything but to keep your parameters stable. Using 2-Part is the recommended way to raise your Cal/Alk. Kalkwasser is then used along side your ATO keep it those parameters stable. I suggest doing some water changes till your parameters stable out. What is your Mag level? if your mag level is out of whack this will make it very difficult to raise Cal/Alk to the recommended levels. Also a PH of 7.8 is not bad, it's in the acceptable range. I highly suggest to stop dosing anyhing for awhile and just do water changes till everything levels out. I would also test the salt you have been using to see if it's a bad batch.

Juno, you are too fast for my chicken pecking!!

[iTzJu]

Also, be patient! these things take time and it might take weeks to see any noticeable differences. Just stick with weekly water changes for now. freshly made saltwater never hurt anything. over dosing other things tho... is another story.

There you beat someone. Are you happy now. Lol

Finally!!! woot!! lol