Having Trouble Keeping My Calcium Levels Up

mjfrogsales · 04/06/2007, 03:35 PM

Anyone have any suggestions as to what I can do to get my calcium level up to 400?? The level is currently at 340 and the highest I have been able to get it is 370. The 75 gallon reef has been running since September and honestly all the corals (soft, hard, lps) all seem to be doing fine. I have been using Kent Marine Tech CB Part A and B (5 caps of each - 16 oz bottle) pretty much every other day. On the off days I use Kent Turbo Calcium (1/2 tsp - more than is reccomended I know) and still the levels don't rise. I change my water every 2 weeks. I have RO water and put Turbo Calcium in that too so the water I am adding is around 440.

I am not sure what to do. I don't know if I am overdoing it. All other levels are fine.

Anyone???

reefshadow · 04/06/2007, 04:06 PM

Look at what magnesium is with a good kit. If mg. is fine, look into the amount you're supplementing, never ever use the instuctions on a bottle. They are 100 percent inaccurate as they have no idea what value you are starting from or tank volume.

I like jdiecks calculator

http://home.comcast.net/~jdieck1/chemcalc.html

very easy to use. Make sure you account for displacement.

Using 60 gallons volume for your system, it would take about 8 tsp to get from 370 to 430. Ok to do this jump in one shot, IMO, but some may divide it.

Good luck

reefshadow · 04/06/2007, 04:08 PM

Oh, BTW,

To Reef Central

mjfrogsales · 04/07/2007, 08:01 AM

Thanks so much! I appreciate your insight and I will be checking my mg today and using this reef calculator.

Scuba_Steve · 04/07/2007, 08:42 AM

You need to be measuring alkalinity also, post this and the mag and we can help you alot further. Just so you know, to simplify, alk and cal are on opposite ends of a scale. increasing one will cause the other to fall. You have to increase them both to maintain a balance. Like what you are doing with the 2 part (which there are much cheaper versions of http://www.twopartsolution.com/ ). Mag basically causes your water to be able to absorb higher levels of calcium.

amike5 · 04/07/2007, 08:54 AM

It takes alot to raise it that much. Just dose more than you have been and keep testing. Make sure you are testing Alk as well. If you use the calculator, you could have it up in 1 or 2 days knowing how much to dose. Just remember that you will still need to dose every day or every other day depending on the demand from your tank.

04/06/2007, 03:35 PM	#1
mjfrogsales Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Woodbury, NY Posts: 6	Having Trouble Keeping My Calcium Levels Up Anyone have any suggestions as to what I can do to get my calcium level up to 400?? The level is currently at 340 and the highest I have been able to get it is 370. The 75 gallon reef has been running since September and honestly all the corals (soft, hard, lps) all seem to be doing fine. I have been using Kent Marine Tech CB Part A and B (5 caps of each - 16 oz bottle) pretty much every other day. On the off days I use Kent Turbo Calcium (1/2 tsp - more than is reccomended I know) and still the levels don't rise. I change my water every 2 weeks. I have RO water and put Turbo Calcium in that too so the water I am adding is around 440. I am not sure what to do. I don't know if I am overdoing it. All other levels are fine. Anyone???

04/06/2007, 04:06 PM	#2
reefshadow Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Central Washington Posts: 1,786	Look at what magnesium is with a good kit. If mg. is fine, look into the amount you're supplementing, never ever use the instuctions on a bottle. They are 100 percent inaccurate as they have no idea what value you are starting from or tank volume. I like jdiecks calculator http://home.comcast.net/~jdieck1/chemcalc.html very easy to use. Make sure you account for displacement. Using 60 gallons volume for your system, it would take about 8 tsp to get from 370 to 430. Ok to do this jump in one shot, IMO, but some may divide it. Good luck __________________ All Your Coral Are Belong To Us Current Tank Info: 30 Deep Blue shallow mixed rimless, MP10, Ecoxotic LED's, SCA 301 skimmer.

04/06/2007, 04:08 PM	#3
reefshadow Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Central Washington Posts: 1,786	Oh, BTW, *To Reef Central* __________________ All Your Coral Are Belong To Us Current Tank Info: 30 Deep Blue shallow mixed rimless, MP10, Ecoxotic LED's, SCA 301 skimmer.

04/07/2007, 08:42 AM	#5
Scuba_Steve Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Pooler, Ga Posts: 1,342	You need to be measuring alkalinity also, post this and the mag and we can help you alot further. Just so you know, to simplify, alk and cal are on opposite ends of a scale. increasing one will cause the other to fall. You have to increase them both to maintain a balance. Like what you are doing with the 2 part (which there are much cheaper versions of http://www.twopartsolution.com/ ). Mag basically causes your water to be able to absorb higher levels of calcium. __________________ 40g DIY AIO. DT Size is 27"x18"x17" SCA-301 skimmer, DIY ATS 4"x4" 1 cube setup, Ocean Revive 120w LED, Quiet One 3000, Jager 150w TBS Rock

04/07/2007, 08:01 AM	#4
mjfrogsales Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Woodbury, NY Posts: 6	Thanks so much! I appreciate your insight and I will be checking my mg today and using this reef calculator.

04/07/2007, 08:54 AM	#6
amike5 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Englewood, CO Posts: 724	It takes alot to raise it that much. Just dose more than you have been and keep testing. Make sure you are testing Alk as well. If you use the calculator, you could have it up in 1 or 2 days knowing how much to dose. Just remember that you will still need to dose every day or every other day depending on the demand from your tank.