calcium question

saltcreep · 10-26-2006, 10:00 AM

I robbably should have posted this in the begginer sec. Ive been reading up on these topics but they are very complexed, my AlKALINITY IS 7 but my calcium keeps dropping and is around 300/360.Im all tapped out right now to go & buy a dosing pump for kalk. What would you recommend I do in the mean
time THANKS

Snelly40 · 10-26-2006, 10:08 AM

i have heard dosing with baking soda works well

blue_eyes53813 · 10-26-2006, 10:14 AM

have you tested your magnesium? if it is out of wack it will make your calcium and alk out of wack... magnesium should read 1350-1500

Warnberg · 10-26-2006, 10:39 AM

When you say your alk is 7, do you mean 7 dHK? To get you calc levels up I would go get some Kent's Turbo Calcium. Use this calculator to see how much you need to reach the calcium level you want.
http://www.kademani.com/reefchem.htm

If ph drops use baked baking soda to raise it.

Here is a link to the parms you are striving for, also if you can not test for it DO NOT dose it.
http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-05/rhf/index.php

Most trace elements that some folks add to there tanks are not necessary in my opinion, a routine water change will usually take care of that for you.

flyline · 10-26-2006, 02:07 PM

have you tried a water change maybe with some reef buffer?

Woodstock · 10-26-2006, 02:54 PM

What salt are you using? There are few balanced salts out there that do not need adjustments prior to use. Always test your newly made salt water BEFORE using it in your reef.

What type of corals do you have? SPS corals and clams can use a lot of calcium quickly.

Chronicly low calcium can be caused by low magnesium levels. Before making any adjustments, I recommend testing your water for mg. If you do not have the $ to purchase the kit (Salifert), your local fish store should offer this test for free/minimal charge.

Bookmark these sites and use them as references when needed:

Reef Aquarium Water Parameters

Solving Calcium and Alkalinity Problems

Also note that making adjustments to your alkalinity (adding buffer) will impact your PH. If you use sodium bicarbonate, the PH will lower; if you use sodium carbonate, the PH will rise. Most store bought buffers are sodium bicarbonate.

10-26-2006, 10:00 AM	#1 (permalink)
saltcreep Fire Coral Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 82 View Gallery Karma Komment	calcium question I robbably should have posted this in the begginer sec. Ive been reading up on these topics but they are very complexed, my AlKALINITY IS 7 but my calcium keeps dropping and is around 300/360.Im all tapped out right now to go & buy a dosing pump for kalk. What would you recommend I do in the mean time THANKS

10-26-2006, 10:08 AM	#2 (permalink)
Snelly40 Golden Moray Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 2,954 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: calcium question i have heard dosing with baking soda works well __________________ Snelly's 90gal Reef-O-Rama *Member-"Crabs Are Evil" Society*

10-26-2006, 10:14 AM	#3 (permalink)
blue_eyes53813 Hey!Its not my fault Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Lancaster, Wisconsin Posts: 6,935 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: calcium question have you tested your magnesium? if it is out of wack it will make your calcium and alk out of wack... magnesium should read 1350-1500 __________________ 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

10-26-2006, 10:39 AM	#4 (permalink)
Warnberg Acropora Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Tampa, Florida Posts: 1,911 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: calcium question When you say your alk is 7, do you mean 7 dHK? To get you calc levels up I would go get some Kent's Turbo Calcium. Use this calculator to see how much you need to reach the calcium level you want. http://www.kademani.com/reefchem.htm If ph drops use baked baking soda to raise it. Here is a link to the parms you are striving for, also if you can not test for it DO NOT dose it. http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-05/rhf/index.php Most trace elements that some folks add to there tanks are not necessary in my opinion, a routine water change will usually take care of that for you. __________________ Dave 240 Gallon Tall Tencor (96"L x 30"T x 18"W) 4 250 Watt MH XM10K bulbs 2-54 Watt T5 Actinic Euro-Reef CS8-2-RC Jetstream 1 Calcium Reactor 4 Tunze Turbelle stream 6000 power heads 7095 Tunze controller

10-26-2006, 02:07 PM	#5 (permalink)
flyline Midas Blenny Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: victorville ca Posts: 122 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: calcium question have you tried a water change maybe with some reef buffer?

10-26-2006, 02:54 PM	#6 (permalink)
Woodstock The Wand Geek was here. ;) Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 23,669 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: calcium question What salt are you using? There are few balanced salts out there that do not need adjustments prior to use. Always test your newly made salt water BEFORE using it in your reef. What type of corals do you have? SPS corals and clams can use a lot of calcium quickly. Chronicly low calcium can be caused by low magnesium levels. Before making any adjustments, I recommend testing your water for mg. If you do not have the $ to purchase the kit (Salifert), your local fish store should offer this test for free/minimal charge. Bookmark these sites and use them as references when needed: Reef Aquarium Water Parameters Solving Calcium and Alkalinity Problems Also note that making adjustments to your alkalinity (adding buffer) will impact your PH. If you use sodium bicarbonate, the PH will lower; if you use sodium carbonate, the PH will rise. Most store bought buffers are sodium bicarbonate.

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