Raising Calcium Levels

MINIATUS · 05-13-2006, 07:18 PM

This sort of goes with the questions of dosing Kalk.
My Calcium levels are at 370 ppm but should be at about 420-430 ppm. If kalk only keeps your levels in check what is the best way to raise the Calcium levels up to what is recommended, then start the kalk dosing. Now from what Ive read most Calcium supplements add other elements to the water and some are beyond what is found in NSW. Some even toxic at the higher levels. One example is Iodine. Is there not a pure calcium supplement that does not have these extra elements mixed with it, that will saftley raise the levels. Also what effect does Calcium additions have on ALk levels, or is it only Kalk that can affect it. Also how fast can your raise Calcium levels in a cycling tank to bring it up to the levels I want.
Just some food for thought before I fire up the Kalk reactor.

MINIATUS

Woodstock · 05-13-2006, 07:31 PM

Kalk is calcium hydroxide and will increase your ca levels. It is however a balanced additive since it supplies alk in proportion to ca so an alk additive is not necessary. If your alk is low, you will need to use a seperate alk buffer (sodium bicarbonate, or sodium carbonate) to increase it. Kalk will also increase your PH so keep an eye on it while dosing until you know its effects on the parameters (ph, ca, alk, mg).

Using a calcium only supplement will only increase ca. Whenever you dose ca, alk, mg, always test afterwards to see what has changed since they do affect one another.

MINIATUS · 05-13-2006, 07:39 PM

My Alk is within the recommendations for NSW. PH sits at 8.0. So I dont really need to add Calcium to bring the levels up just dose the Kalk and it will bring it up. So this brings up the question Of this. Alk is at the right level but Kalk also adds to it will it then not raise its levels out of proportion. What is a recommended PH level to aim for.
One more silly question is there such an animal as a Calcium monitor that works.

MINIATUS

Woodstock · 05-13-2006, 07:46 PM

I shoot for a evening ph level of 8.3 but lower is okay.

The best calcium monitor for my tank is ME!

MINIATUS · 05-13-2006, 07:51 PM

So in the long run Kalk dripping should raise Cacium levels and PH levels to where I want them. Quick question can I add a heavy solution of Kalk to the tank since there is only the live rock. Or stick to the slow dose method.

MINIATUS

Woodstock · 05-13-2006, 07:58 PM

I would go slow.

"Slow" is relative... My auto top off delivers 1-2 gallons of kalkwasser to my 90 gal tank daily....

blue_eyes53813 · 05-13-2006, 09:02 PM

I found out magnesium plays in keeping calcium up. It should be 1250-1350. If its low it keeps calcium low.

mps9506 · 05-13-2006, 10:52 PM

I use calcium chloride to raise calcium levels. (EG Kent's Turbo Calcium or Seachems equivlent calcium product).

billyr98 · 05-13-2006, 10:55 PM

I use Kent A and Kent B additives... But will be adding a calcium reactor soon!!

05-13-2006, 07:18 PM	#1 (permalink)
MINIATUS Torch coral Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: St.Thomas,Ontario Posts: 506 View Gallery Karma Komment	Raising Calcium Levels This sort of goes with the questions of dosing Kalk. My Calcium levels are at 370 ppm but should be at about 420-430 ppm. If kalk only keeps your levels in check what is the best way to raise the Calcium levels up to what is recommended, then start the kalk dosing. Now from what Ive read most Calcium supplements add other elements to the water and some are beyond what is found in NSW. Some even toxic at the higher levels. One example is Iodine. Is there not a pure calcium supplement that does not have these extra elements mixed with it, that will saftley raise the levels. Also what effect does Calcium additions have on ALk levels, or is it only Kalk that can affect it. Also how fast can your raise Calcium levels in a cycling tank to bring it up to the levels I want. Just some food for thought before I fire up the Kalk reactor. MINIATUS __________________ Buzzsaw please look after Rocket for Me, Miss you both ------------------------------------------------ Tankless for the time Being.

05-13-2006, 07:31 PM	#2 (permalink)
Woodstock The Wand Geek was here. ;) Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 23,689 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Raising Calcium Levels Kalk is calcium hydroxide and will increase your ca levels. It is however a balanced additive since it supplies alk in proportion to ca so an alk additive is not necessary. If your alk is low, you will need to use a seperate alk buffer (sodium bicarbonate, or sodium carbonate) to increase it. Kalk will also increase your PH so keep an eye on it while dosing until you know its effects on the parameters (ph, ca, alk, mg). Using a calcium only supplement will only increase ca. Whenever you dose ca, alk, mg, always test afterwards to see what has changed since they do affect one another. __________________ ~Doni Marie~ *GOT ICH???* 120 Reef Chronicle ~ *Breeding Picasso Clownfish~* *Massive 300 gal growout~* *My Anemone & Picasso Tank ~* *Picasso & Snowcasso for sale~* "Energy and persistence conquer all things." Benjamin Franklin __________________________________________________ ______________________________________________

05-13-2006, 07:39 PM	#3 (permalink)
MINIATUS Torch coral Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: St.Thomas,Ontario Posts: 506 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Raising Calcium Levels My Alk is within the recommendations for NSW. PH sits at 8.0. So I dont really need to add Calcium to bring the levels up just dose the Kalk and it will bring it up. So this brings up the question Of this. Alk is at the right level but Kalk also adds to it will it then not raise its levels out of proportion. What is a recommended PH level to aim for. One more silly question is there such an animal as a Calcium monitor that works. MINIATUS __________________ Buzzsaw please look after Rocket for Me, Miss you both ------------------------------------------------ Tankless for the time Being.

05-13-2006, 07:46 PM	#4 (permalink)
Woodstock The Wand Geek was here. ;) Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 23,689 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Raising Calcium Levels I shoot for a evening ph level of 8.3 but lower is okay. The best calcium monitor for my tank is ME! __________________ ~Doni Marie~ *GOT ICH???* 120 Reef Chronicle ~ *Breeding Picasso Clownfish~* *Massive 300 gal growout~* *My Anemone & Picasso Tank ~* *Picasso & Snowcasso for sale~* "Energy and persistence conquer all things." Benjamin Franklin __________________________________________________ ______________________________________________

05-13-2006, 07:51 PM	#5 (permalink)
MINIATUS Torch coral Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: St.Thomas,Ontario Posts: 506 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Raising Calcium Levels So in the long run Kalk dripping should raise Cacium levels and PH levels to where I want them. Quick question can I add a heavy solution of Kalk to the tank since there is only the live rock. Or stick to the slow dose method. MINIATUS __________________ Buzzsaw please look after Rocket for Me, Miss you both ------------------------------------------------ Tankless for the time Being.

05-13-2006, 07:58 PM	#6 (permalink)
Woodstock The Wand Geek was here. ;) Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 23,689 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Raising Calcium Levels I would go slow. "Slow" is relative... My auto top off delivers 1-2 gallons of kalkwasser to my 90 gal tank daily.... __________________ ~Doni Marie~ *GOT ICH???* 120 Reef Chronicle ~ *Breeding Picasso Clownfish~* *Massive 300 gal growout~* *My Anemone & Picasso Tank ~* *Picasso & Snowcasso for sale~* "Energy and persistence conquer all things." Benjamin Franklin __________________________________________________ ______________________________________________

05-13-2006, 09:02 PM	#7 (permalink)
blue_eyes53813 Hey!Its not my fault Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Lancaster, Wisconsin Posts: 6,951 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Raising Calcium Levels I found out magnesium plays in keeping calcium up. It should be 1250-1350. If its low it keeps calcium low. __________________ 265 Gallon Reef built into basement wall. Lighting = 6x250 watts MH, 2x96 watt PC ,and 2x140 watt VHO for a total watt of 1,972 watts . New addition on 4-14-07 of 100 gallon sump and 100 gallon refugium. I think I have lost my mind. Gotta love this hobby Vicki Life is like a pathway of untrodden snow. Be careful how you step in it for every mark will show Definition of FRIENDSHIP: All lives touch other lives to create something new and alive My tank chronicles. http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...wall-reef.html

05-13-2006, 10:52 PM	#8 (permalink)
mps9506 Totally stoked dude Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Wilmington, NC Posts: 7,518 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Raising Calcium Levels I use calcium chloride to raise calcium levels. (EG Kent's Turbo Calcium or Seachems equivlent calcium product). __________________ Mike "The Bandwith Bandit" Help Build Reefpedia Premium Membership Available! Support Reef Sanctuary Sponsors

05-13-2006, 10:55 PM	#9 (permalink)
billyr98 Reefing Addict Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Cherry Hill, NJ Posts: 5,400 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Raising Calcium Levels I use Kent A and Kent B additives... But will be adding a calcium reactor soon!! __________________ Billyr98 -=NJRC Treasurer=- My 450g Reef Tank ~~~ Its HERE!!!

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