Ca & alk question

ItsMee · 10/02/2009, 11:21 AM

My calcium has been at 360-380 ppm and my alk at 7-8 dkh. They are both on the low side. My tank is new and has been cycled for a good 3 weeks now and the clown fish in it is doing great (I put him in when the cycle was over). I do not have any corals and the only other life in my tank besides the clown is a bunch of live rock (it really helped cycle the tank fast). When the coralline algae started losing its color I began testing the calcium and alkalinity. I have decided to use limewater to control these parameters as well as PH. I have mixed 1 teaspoon of ms wages pickling lime per gallon of distilled water and I don't use any that is older than 2 days. The last 2 nights i dripped 16 ounces of kalk from a water bottle slowly as the top-off to hopefully raise calcium, and alkalinity a little. I measured calcium and alkalinity today and they have both not changed from their low values. My magnesium is at 1300.

My questions are:
1. is it safe to say that the 32 ounces (16 ounces at a time) I have dosed these 2 nights has not RAISED my calcium or alkalinity at all, but has merely MAINTAINED it since the values have not changed, or is 2 nights enough time for it to change?
2. My PH is at 8.2 and sometimes gets up to 8.4, is this swing dangerous, and what is the maximum swing that should occur?
3. Is it possible to raise the calcium and alkalinity slowly over time without having to dose a 2 part if the only thing using calcium in the tank is coralline algae?

Michael · 10/02/2009, 11:27 AM

i dont think you need to dose anything, 380 calcium and 8 dkh are fine params for a fish only tank

ItsMee · 10/02/2009, 11:33 AM

Indeed they are fine for a fish only tank. I am learning to control these parameters because I will have corals and a clam in the near future - also, as much as I know it will be a pain to scrape, I love the colors of coralline algae.

10/02/2009, 11:21 AM	#1
ItsMee Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Los Angeles CA Posts: 1,861	Ca & alk question My calcium has been at 360-380 ppm and my alk at 7-8 dkh. They are both on the low side. My tank is new and has been cycled for a good 3 weeks now and the clown fish in it is doing great (I put him in when the cycle was over). I do not have any corals and the only other life in my tank besides the clown is a bunch of live rock (it really helped cycle the tank fast). When the coralline algae started losing its color I began testing the calcium and alkalinity. I have decided to use limewater to control these parameters as well as PH. I have mixed 1 teaspoon of ms wages pickling lime per gallon of distilled water and I don't use any that is older than 2 days. The last 2 nights i dripped 16 ounces of kalk from a water bottle slowly as the top-off to hopefully raise calcium, and alkalinity a little. I measured calcium and alkalinity today and they have both not changed from their low values. My magnesium is at 1300. My questions are: 1. is it safe to say that the 32 ounces (16 ounces at a time) I have dosed these 2 nights has not RAISED my calcium or alkalinity at all, but has merely MAINTAINED it since the values have not changed, or is 2 nights enough time for it to change? 2. My PH is at 8.2 and sometimes gets up to 8.4, is this swing dangerous, and what is the maximum swing that should occur? 3. Is it possible to raise the calcium and alkalinity slowly over time without having to dose a 2 part if the only thing using calcium in the tank is coralline algae? __________________ There are 10 kinds of people who understand binary, those who do, and those who don't. Current Tank Info: Cadlight 39G pro system!

10/02/2009, 11:27 AM	#2
Michael NTTH Rookie Help Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Gloucester, England,UK Posts: 7,808 Blog Entries: 6	i dont think you need to dose anything, 380 calcium and 8 dkh are fine params for a fish only tank __________________ Don't be afraid to ask questions, we in the new to the hobby are here to help you [For My Tank Spec,Photo Album,Articles and website, click on my name] MY Very Kindest and Warmest Regards , MIKE Current Tank Info: I have a 92 gal Corner Tank, and way too many pieces of equipment to list really, (proud member of the reef central corner club)

10/02/2009, 11:33 AM	#3
ItsMee Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Los Angeles CA Posts: 1,861	Indeed they are fine for a fish only tank. I am learning to control these parameters because I will have corals and a clam in the near future - also, as much as I know it will be a pain to scrape, I love the colors of coralline algae. __________________ There are 10 kinds of people who understand binary, those who do, and those who don't. Current Tank Info: Cadlight 39G pro system!