pH, Calcium Alkalinity and Magnesium.

pH, Calcium Alkalinity and Magnesium Explained

I came accross this the other day, thought I'd share it. It's about the basic's but may help someone thats a noob.

Discovery Aquatics - Articles - pH, Calcium, Alkalinity and Magensium Explained

 

Thank You, this helped me greatly..

 

Just helped me too playing with test kits. k+

 

That is a good basic article. I used it a bit when I was beginning. Good post!

 

I did not realize that CAL and ALK are used up equally I guess this is the big reason people like using 2-part dosing solutions.

But I'm a bit confused now... I add dkh buffer every other day to maintain my ALK around 10, however I only add calcium every so often to keep in around 420. Shouldn't I be adding CAL as often as ALK, or am I missing something? (MAG is usually around 1300-1350 but I've been raising that to 1600+ to fight byropsis)

 

That post was right on time. Was just trying to explain to my wife how pH, Calcium, Alkalinity and Mg. inter-act. Good post.

 

not a problem, I was looking at it as Ive been keeping my calcium levels 450-475 lately and noticed my dkh shot up to 14-15dkh. so I see thats normal per Balanced Calcium and Alkalinity Ratios.

 

You should either add both parts at the same time to avoid dips and spikes, or you can keep dosing as you have been, but realize that you may have dips and spikes in your method... as long as you're keeping it around your target, that is good. To keep it at your target without dips and spikes is better...

that was a good article!

This one makes a good supplement to the article posted above... http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/nov2002/chem.htm

 

That makes sense. I think its time to switch to two-part dosing, especially since my levels are currently around target, and more importantly before things get out of whack.

Solid supplement article Gabba, and yours as well Night-Rida. Thx!

 

You only need to add to keep your levels where you need them.... two part solutions are formulated to be equal parts.... yours may not be. You only need to suplement to replace consumption. If what you are dosing keeps your parameters where you want them then you are doing that. I use two parts.... but that does not mean yours are wrong.