Calcium / Alk supplements question

latuttle · 08-08-2006, 11:01 AM

I have been monitoring my calcium and alkalinity in my 24 gallon tank. I've read an article in our knowledge base about this - the one with that wonderful chart with the two lines that shows the target zone for calcium and alkalinity. I have been to the left of the target zone and trying to get into the zone.

The article said one way I could add more calcium to try to get in the zone by adding the calcium only part of a two-part supplement. I've been doing that for the last 3 days, using the maximum daily single dose on the bottle (I'm using the Aqua-C brand two-part supplement).

Anyway, I'm not really getting anywhere.

Day 1: Calcium 325 ppm Alkalinity 5.0
Day 2: 340 4.0
3: 340 4.0

I could keep adding 25 ml of the calcium stuff every day until I get to the target zone, but calcium's not all I'm adding when I do that. The calcium part has the trace minerals in it as well.

Should I use something else to raise calcium? Am I doing something wrong? Suggestions?

It's a 24 gallon tank with argonite live sand bed, 30 lbs live rock, 4 snails, a shrimp and some small mostly soft/leather frags.

Thanks,

Laura

billyr98 · 08-08-2006, 03:36 PM

you could always just get Liquid Calcium or Turbo Calcium from Kent.. They make that chemical.. I never had a calcium level as low are yours... What salt are you using?

Woodstock · 08-08-2006, 04:03 PM

A low calcium level that will not respond to ca supplements is probably due to very low magnesium. Test your magnesium levels and adjust as needed to 1250-1350 ppm.

Water Parameters

billyr98 · 08-08-2006, 04:04 PM

Nice Info Woody, you sounded like Boomer for a second

blue_eyes53813 · 08-08-2006, 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by billyr98

Nice Info Woody, you sounded like Boomer for a second

she is woodstock the bOMB not boomer....

billyr98 · 08-08-2006, 04:31 PM

Gina · 08-08-2006, 04:33 PM

Boom is the sound the bomb makes! LOL

latuttle · 08-08-2006, 07:37 PM

Ahh magnesium you say?

I was using Instant Ocean, but after reading the bad reviews here I switched to Oceanic. However, I haven't done a substantial water change since I switched - it's mostly an IO brew at this point.

Thanks for the recommendation - I will do the magnesium testing and see how that looks.

Laura

blue_eyes53813 · 08-08-2006, 09:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gina

Boom is the sound the bomb makes! LOL

ahhhhhhhhh yeah true..... sorry we got off track here Laura. its all woodstocks fault, lol jk

reefrelief · 08-08-2006, 11:18 PM

In addition to using a reef blend of salt, I would use both Kalkwasser and "purple up". I have seen people s aquarium level go to where desired from this practice.

KMP · 08-08-2006, 11:53 PM

...and if you do use purple up do not use any other ca supplement. if you do you'll be double dosing. not good.

billyr98 · 08-09-2006, 02:47 PM

Be careful with your phosphates when using Purple up... It can drive them up.. it did to me, and i stopped the use and went with all kalk for topoff...

tatuvaaj · 08-10-2006, 08:59 AM

Like Billy98 suggested your best option is to dose CaCl2 based calcium additive until you get your Ca up and alkalinity down.

You can't really avoid dosing trace elements, everything you add into the aquarium has more or less trace elements

latuttle · 08-11-2006, 07:37 PM

Okay I got my Mg test kit, and it is low - like 1120 ppm. I'm using Kent's Mg supplement to raise it up before I worry too much about my Ca/Alkalinity being out of "the zone".

Thanks everyone!

Woodstock · 08-11-2006, 08:10 PM

Use the AWESOME calculator to determine the amount to dose!

Reef Chemistry Calculator

08-08-2006, 11:01 AM	#1 (permalink)
latuttle Midas Blenny Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 95 View Gallery Karma Komment	Calcium / Alk supplements question I have been monitoring my calcium and alkalinity in my 24 gallon tank. I've read an article in our knowledge base about this - the one with that wonderful chart with the two lines that shows the target zone for calcium and alkalinity. I have been to the left of the target zone and trying to get into the zone. The article said one way I could add more calcium to try to get in the zone by adding the calcium only part of a two-part supplement. I've been doing that for the last 3 days, using the maximum daily single dose on the bottle (I'm using the Aqua-C brand two-part supplement). Anyway, I'm not really getting anywhere. Day 1: Calcium 325 ppm Alkalinity 5.0 Day 2: 340 4.0 3: 340 4.0 I could keep adding 25 ml of the calcium stuff every day until I get to the target zone, but calcium's not all I'm adding when I do that. The calcium part has the trace minerals in it as well. Should I use something else to raise calcium? Am I doing something wrong? Suggestions? It's a 24 gallon tank with argonite live sand bed, 30 lbs live rock, 4 snails, a shrimp and some small mostly soft/leather frags. Thanks, Laura

08-08-2006, 03:36 PM	#2 (permalink)
billyr98 Reefing Addict Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Cherry Hill, NJ Posts: 5,399 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Calcium / Alk supplements question you could always just get Liquid Calcium or Turbo Calcium from Kent.. They make that chemical.. I never had a calcium level as low are yours... What salt are you using? __________________ Billyr98 -=NJRC Treasurer=- My 450g Reef Tank ~~~ Its HERE!!!

08-08-2006, 04:03 PM	#3 (permalink)
Woodstock The Wand Geek was here. ;) Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 22,783 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Calcium / Alk supplements question A low calcium level that will not respond to ca supplements is probably due to very low magnesium. Test your magnesium levels and adjust as needed to 1250-1350 ppm. Water Parameters

08-08-2006, 04:04 PM	#4 (permalink)
billyr98 Reefing Addict Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Cherry Hill, NJ Posts: 5,399 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Calcium / Alk supplements question Nice Info Woody, you sounded like Boomer for a second __________________ Billyr98 -=NJRC Treasurer=- My 450g Reef Tank ~~~ Its HERE!!!

08-08-2006, 04:31 PM	#6 (permalink)
billyr98 Reefing Addict Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Cherry Hill, NJ Posts: 5,399 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Calcium / Alk supplements question __________________ Billyr98 -=NJRC Treasurer=- My 450g Reef Tank ~~~ Its HERE!!!

08-08-2006, 04:33 PM	#7 (permalink)
Gina Moderator Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Indiana Posts: 8,823 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Calcium / Alk supplements question Boom is the sound the bomb makes! LOL __________________ Gina and Mark's 75 Visit Our Sponsors Gina's Cube Gina

08-08-2006, 07:37 PM	#8 (permalink)
latuttle Midas Blenny Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 95 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Calcium / Alk supplements question Ahh magnesium you say? I was using Instant Ocean, but after reading the bad reviews here I switched to Oceanic. However, I haven't done a substantial water change since I switched - it's mostly an IO brew at this point. Thanks for the recommendation - I will do the magnesium testing and see how that looks. Laura

08-08-2006, 11:18 PM	#10 (permalink)
reefrelief RS Sponsor Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 57 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Calcium / Alk supplements question In addition to using a reef blend of salt, I would use both Kalkwasser and "purple up". I have seen people s aquarium level go to where desired from this practice. __________________ http://www.reefsanctuary.com/Sponsor...vingcolor2.gif

08-08-2006, 11:53 PM	#11 (permalink)
KMP Torch coral Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Woodland, CA Posts: 585 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Calcium / Alk supplements question ...and if you do use purple up do not use any other ca supplement. if you do you'll be double dosing. not good. __________________ Kenny 24g Aquapod, 24lb Live Rock, 28lb Live Sand, (3) MJ 900s (25.5w, 460gph), Closed Loop Circulation Nanocustoms 4.36 Series Lighting (144w), (2) 36w 10000k Daylights. (2) 36w Actinics, (1) R2 Moonlights

08-09-2006, 02:47 PM	#12 (permalink)
billyr98 Reefing Addict Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Cherry Hill, NJ Posts: 5,399 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Calcium / Alk supplements question Be careful with your phosphates when using Purple up... It can drive them up.. it did to me, and i stopped the use and went with all kalk for topoff... __________________ Billyr98 -=NJRC Treasurer=- My 450g Reef Tank ~~~ Its HERE!!!

08-10-2006, 08:59 AM	#13 (permalink)
tatuvaaj Fire Coral Join Date: May 2004 Location: Tampere, Finland Posts: 64 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Calcium / Alk supplements question Like Billy98 suggested your best option is to dose CaCl2 based calcium additive until you get your Ca up and alkalinity down. You can't really avoid dosing trace elements, everything you add into the aquarium has more or less trace elements __________________ *Member "Crabs Are Evil" Society* Tatu Vaajalahti Tampere, Finland

08-11-2006, 07:37 PM	#14 (permalink)
latuttle Midas Blenny Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 95 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Calcium / Alk supplements question Okay I got my Mg test kit, and it is low - like 1120 ppm. I'm using Kent's Mg supplement to raise it up before I worry too much about my Ca/Alkalinity being out of "the zone". Thanks everyone!

08-11-2006, 08:10 PM	#15 (permalink)
Woodstock The Wand Geek was here. ;) Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 22,783 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Calcium / Alk supplements question Use the AWESOME calculator to determine the amount to dose! Reef Chemistry Calculator

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