Calcium / Alkalinity Question

ascarfelli · 03/05/2010, 07:46 AM

Hello everybody,

I'm planning on keeping around 5-7 different coral in my (planned) 240 gallon tank / 390 gallon system. I read through a bunch of Randy Holmes-Farley's articles regarding the maintenance of Calcium / Alk levels and the best solution I can gather from the reading is this. I can order calcium hydroxide in bulk, dump it into a 55 gallon plastic drum along with some fresh water which will be stored in my basement. I can then fill a 5 gallon dosing container with the lime water (kalkwasser) and store it under my tank connected to a reef filler pump which will dose directly into my sump. From what I've read, numerous times over and over again, Farley's system seems like the easiest, most cost efficient way of applying calcium to my tank.

My first question is, Am I understanding Farly correctly? I understood what I read, but with no source for reference (my tank / system isn't even built yet) and with my limited knowledge I'm a little confused. Secondly, how much calcium will I need to be dosing per day based on the total volume and amount of coral I intend to keep?

Thank you all in advance for your thoughts and answers.

-Anthony

Ref : CHEMISTRY AND THE AQUARIUM by RANDY HOLMES-FARLEY
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/feb2003/chem.htm

swjim · 03/05/2010, 07:54 AM

It really depends on your livestock and evaporation rates. If you keep primarily soft corals and want to support coralline growth the kalk may be enough on its own. As you add LPS, SPS and clams your demands will increase and you will likely need to supplement with a calcium reactor or two part. Buy some good test kits, watch your parameters (don't forget about Magnesium too) then plan accordingly.

Chiefsurfer · 03/05/2010, 08:43 AM

Yes, MANY systems require calcium suppliments, AND alk suppliments, as the tanks need them replenished normally. BUT!!! Until you have set your system up, I would not be DEAD-set on any method. I need to dose nothing except calcium. My mag, alk, and ph are ALLL kept in check with everything. I do not have a whole lot of stony corals, so the calcium is not even ver necessary(once a week) because my salt mix is fairly high in calcium and it replenishes the system well.

03/05/2010, 07:46 AM	#1
ascarfelli Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 4	Calcium / Alkalinity Question Hello everybody, I'm planning on keeping around 5-7 different coral in my (planned) 240 gallon tank / 390 gallon system. I read through a bunch of Randy Holmes-Farley's articles regarding the maintenance of Calcium / Alk levels and the best solution I can gather from the reading is this. I can order calcium hydroxide in bulk, dump it into a 55 gallon plastic drum along with some fresh water which will be stored in my basement. I can then fill a 5 gallon dosing container with the lime water (kalkwasser) and store it under my tank connected to a reef filler pump which will dose directly into my sump. From what I've read, numerous times over and over again, Farley's system seems like the easiest, most cost efficient way of applying calcium to my tank. My first question is, Am I understanding Farly correctly? I understood what I read, but with no source for reference (my tank / system isn't even built yet) and with my limited knowledge I'm a little confused. Secondly, how much calcium will I need to be dosing per day based on the total volume and amount of coral I intend to keep? Thank you all in advance for your thoughts and answers. -Anthony Ref : CHEMISTRY AND THE AQUARIUM by RANDY HOLMES-FARLEY http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/feb2003/chem.htm

03/05/2010, 08:43 AM	#3
Chiefsurfer Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Seaside Park, NJ Posts: 2,138	Yes, MANY systems require calcium suppliments, AND alk suppliments, as the tanks need them replenished normally. BUT!!! Until you have set your system up, I would not be DEAD-set on any method. I need to dose nothing except calcium. My mag, alk, and ph are ALLL kept in check with everything. I do not have a whole lot of stony corals, so the calcium is not even ver necessary(once a week) because my salt mix is fairly high in calcium and it replenishes the system well. __________________ Chief Current Tank: 20 Gallon tall, 4-bulb t5 HO, Eshopps psk75H, ac-70 fuge. So far, green clown goby, striped goby, more gorillas than I wish I had, 5 SPS frags, 3 LPS Frags, 1 Softee, Turkey Wing Clam. Plan for the future: 120 gallon 4ft glass tank. Current Tank Info: 20 gallon tall Reef Tank

03/05/2010, 07:54 AM	#2
swjim Registered Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Boerne, TX Posts: 884	It really depends on your livestock and evaporation rates. If you keep primarily soft corals and want to support coralline growth the kalk may be enough on its own. As you add LPS, SPS and clams your demands will increase and you will likely need to supplement with a calcium reactor or two part. Buy some good test kits, watch your parameters (don't forget about Magnesium too) then plan accordingly.