up my CA++?

skeeter-doc · 09/08/2007, 09:39 AM

I just tested my tanks water and came up with the following from brand new Salifert test kits.

Magnesium 1500 ppm
Calcium ~380 ppm
Alk 8 KH
Nitrate ~0 ppm
Phosphate ~0 ppm

I think I should up my calcium, since I have some SPS and many LPS. Should I slowly drip more kalk into my tank, or add a kalk slurry? Would either of these 2 methods mess with my alkalinity concentration?

Aquarist007 · 09/08/2007, 09:51 AM

Probably the least effect on your alkalinity would be to use a calcium chloride---Kent turbo calcium
With that high level of magnesium your corals are using magnesium carbonate as well as calcium carbonate
Your alk could go up to 10.5 so you have a margin to play with
what is your pH?

skeeter-doc · 09/08/2007, 09:56 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by capn_hylinur
what is your pH?

that test kit is on back order

Billybeau1 · 09/08/2007, 10:20 AM

Your calcium isnt that low. Like the Capt said, a good calcium chloride product will get you to 420 or so. Kent's Turbo Calcium, Seachem's Reef Complete or ESV's will all do the job.

How did your mag get so high ? What salt mix do you use ?

skeeter-doc · 09/08/2007, 10:26 AM

haHA, good question, I have been dosing with ESV's mag supplement because I use instant ocean salt mix

DJ44 · 09/08/2007, 11:10 AM

Use the Salifert calcium, you will get it there quick. I have tried Seachem's, Kent's, Bi-onic and so on. The Salifert did the trick. It's more expensive but worth it..Fast results

Billybeau1 · 09/08/2007, 11:21 AM

All those you listed are the same calcium chloride except B-Ionic

They will all raise calcium equally as fast. B-Ionic is less concentrated and used more for 2-part additions.

michaeljames · 09/08/2007, 11:36 AM

I just raised my CA from 360 up to 420 with seachem, 4 capfuls twice a day, only took two days..

skeeter-doc · 09/08/2007, 11:53 AM

so everyone thinks kalk will not work then?

Billybeau1 · 09/08/2007, 01:09 PM

Although kalk can raise calcium, it is used more to help maintain it.

It takes large quantities of kalk to raise calcium on its own.

skeeter-doc · 09/08/2007, 01:33 PM

and large quantities of kalk with throw off the pH and possibly the alk, ...

Aquarist007 · 09/08/2007, 08:37 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by skeeter-doc
and large quantities of kalk with throw off the pH and possibly the alk, ...

right on---and it is messy to use, you got to monitor levels alot more closely
Most guys are not as forturnate as you where you can just put some Turbo calcium in and you are done.

Leave the mag level alone right now----esp with trying to bring up your calcium level.

09/08/2007, 09:39 AM	#1
skeeter-doc Moved On Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: TX Posts: 1,643	up my CA++? I just tested my tanks water and came up with the following from brand new Salifert test kits. Magnesium 1500 ppm Calcium ~380 ppm Alk 8 KH Nitrate ~0 ppm Phosphate ~0 ppm I think I should up my calcium, since I have some SPS and many LPS. Should I slowly drip more kalk into my tank, or add a kalk slurry? Would either of these 2 methods mess with my alkalinity concentration?

09/08/2007, 09:51 AM	#2
Aquarist007 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Hamilton, Canada Posts: 28,240 Blog Entries: 1	Probably the least effect on your alkalinity would be to use a calcium chloride---Kent turbo calcium With that high level of magnesium your corals are using magnesium carbonate as well as calcium carbonate Your alk could go up to 10.5 so you have a margin to play with what is your pH? __________________ I prefer my substrates stirred but not shaken Current Tank Info: 150gal long mixed reef, 90gal sump, 60 gal refugium with 200 lbs live rock

09/08/2007, 11:36 AM	#8
michaeljames Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Rochester NY Posts: 737	I just raised my CA from 360 up to 420 with seachem, 4 capfuls twice a day, only took two days.. __________________ "This tastes like crap!" "Well here, try it with some selcon and garlic..." Current Tank Info: 180g RR AGA 2 x 250w SE MH 1 x 175 SE MH 2 x 6' Super atinic VHO Iwaki 100 return Reef Octopus Skimmer

09/08/2007, 10:20 AM	#4
Billybeau1 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Dyer, Indiana Posts: 12,010	Your calcium isnt that low. Like the Capt said, a good calcium chloride product will get you to 420 or so. Kent's Turbo Calcium, Seachem's Reef Complete or ESV's will all do the job. How did your mag get so high ? What salt mix do you use ?

09/08/2007, 10:26 AM	#5
skeeter-doc Moved On Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: TX Posts: 1,643	haHA, good question, I have been dosing with ESV's mag supplement because I use instant ocean salt mix

09/08/2007, 11:10 AM	#6
DJ44 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Southern California Posts: 50	Use the Salifert calcium, you will get it there quick. I have tried Seachem's, Kent's, Bi-onic and so on. The Salifert did the trick. It's more expensive but worth it..Fast results

09/08/2007, 11:21 AM	#7
Billybeau1 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Dyer, Indiana Posts: 12,010	All those you listed are the same calcium chloride except B-Ionic They will all raise calcium equally as fast. B-Ionic is less concentrated and used more for 2-part additions.

09/08/2007, 11:53 AM	#9
skeeter-doc Moved On Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: TX Posts: 1,643	so everyone thinks kalk will not work then?

09/08/2007, 01:09 PM	#10
Billybeau1 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Dyer, Indiana Posts: 12,010	Although kalk can raise calcium, it is used more to help maintain it. It takes large quantities of kalk to raise calcium on its own.

09/08/2007, 01:33 PM	#11
skeeter-doc Moved On Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: TX Posts: 1,643	and large quantities of kalk with throw off the pH and possibly the alk, ...