|
|
|
10/04/2007, 08:58 AM
|
#1 |
|
Registered Member
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: California
Posts: 174
|
how should I dose calcium
The alk in my tank is high and my calcium a little low... about 360-380 for calcium... I have a calcium suppliment but haven't added any yet. It's Kent calcium...
|
|
|
|
10/04/2007, 09:08 AM
|
#2 |
|
Premium Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: NorCal Cali
Posts: 713
|
Kent Calcium is fine. You can also dose by adding kalk with your fresh water.
__________________
They say don't talk about someone unless you've walked a mile in their shoes.. But if you do, at least you'll be ahead of them AND have their shoes! :) Current Tank Info: 72gal glass bow front reef, mostly LPS with some SPS, tangs, anthias, blenny, paired percula clowns, gold headed sleeper goby, red fairy wrasse |
|
|
|
|
10/04/2007, 09:11 AM
|
#3 |
|
Registered Member
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: California
Posts: 174
|
sooo do you just poor it right in or what? Any special way to dose it?
|
|
|
|
|
10/04/2007, 09:15 AM
|
#4 |
|
Premium Member
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: NorCal Cali
Posts: 713
|
Follow the instructions. I haven't used Kent before but I've used others. Dilute it with fresh water (RO) and add it to your tank or sump. It will take time to slowly raise your Calc levels.
__________________
They say don't talk about someone unless you've walked a mile in their shoes.. But if you do, at least you'll be ahead of them AND have their shoes! :) Current Tank Info: 72gal glass bow front reef, mostly LPS with some SPS, tangs, anthias, blenny, paired percula clowns, gold headed sleeper goby, red fairy wrasse |
|
|
|
|
10/04/2007, 09:21 AM
|
#5 |
|
Bogus Information Expert
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: SW Ohio
Posts: 16,147
|
It is usually best to add it in the water you use for topoff. That dilutes it somewhat and avoids problems with precipitation. KW is not good to use in a tank that already has high alkalinity as it adds more. The calcium chloride based supplements supply calcium but not alkalinity.
__________________
"Leading the information hungry reefer down the road to starvation" Tom Current Tank Info: 130 Now out of service and a 29 |
|
|
|
|
10/04/2007, 09:26 AM
|
#6 |
|
Registered Member
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: California
Posts: 174
|
what is KW?
|
|
|
|
|
10/04/2007, 09:48 AM
|
#7 |
|
Registered Member
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: California
Posts: 174
|
I also heard that calcium and alk are related as when you add calcium in usually lowers your alk and vise versa... but I don't want to lower the alk too much and set off the PH.
|
|
|
|
|
10/04/2007, 09:55 AM
|
#8 |
|
Registered Member
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Nashville, TN
Posts: 4,718
|
In your system with self reported "high alk", don't dose kalkwasser to get the calcium up. KW is kalkwasser. Kalkwasser is balance calcium and alkalinity and will serve to raise your alkalinity an equal amount with whatever calcium it adds. Not what you want in your situation. Also, Kalkwasser is not very good for raising levels -- it's better for maintenance of a Ca and Alk once you get it where you want it.
Also, FWIW, 380 is just fine for Ca. Dose the calcium to a high flow area of the sump / tank using this calculator: http://jdieck1.home.comcast.net/chemcalc.html Also, here is a good article on calcium and alkalinity supplementation schemes: http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/feb2003/chem.htm
__________________
"Misers get up early in the morning; and burglars, I am informed, get up the night before." - GK Chesterton Current Tank Info: 90 gallon AGA RR. 20 gal sump. 6x54W T5. AquaController Jr. |
|
|
|
|
10/04/2007, 11:46 AM
|
#9 | |
|
Registered Member
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: 813
Posts: 2,827
|
Quote:
http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/20...hf/index.php#4
__________________
order some golf shoes, otherwise we'll never get out of this place alive. what can i say? in dog beers, i have only had one. - dublo8 Current Tank Info: 40B aiptasia farm |
|
|
|
|
|
10/04/2007, 11:53 AM
|
#10 | |
|
Registered Member
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Spring Hill, FL
Posts: 563
|
Quote:
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/nov2002/chem.htm |
|
|
|
|
|
10/04/2007, 07:20 PM
|
#11 |
|
Premium Member
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Covington, LA
Posts: 86
|
Why not use a calcium reactor as opposed to dripping Kalk? I know dripping Kalk is less expensive than putting in a reactor but does dripped Kalk provide anything that a calcium reactor does not?
__________________
If it weren't for electricity, we'd all be watching TV by candlelight. Current Tank Info: 120 Show |
|
|
|
|
10/04/2007, 07:38 PM
|
#12 |
|
Registered Member
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: maryland
Posts: 6,923
|
IMO the VERY first thing you need to do is get your tank in the proper balance. Use the calculator that is provided above and do some reading. Once your tank is balanced then choose the method of maintaining it.
__________________
I found a way to make a small fortune running a reef tank. Start with a large fortune. Unofficial President of the SEACLONE haters club Current Tank Info: 125 mixed reef 110 lbs LR, 1x250watt XM 20K MH 2x175watt XM 20K MH on Magetics 2X96 watt actinic PC, 220 watt VHO actinic, 30 gallon refugium, closed loop system powered by Sequence Dart MSX 200 skimmer 38 gallon sump, Oceansmotions squirt |
|
|
|
|
10/05/2007, 09:04 AM
|
#13 |
|
Bogus Information Expert
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: SW Ohio
Posts: 16,147
|
Just to set the record straight. Alkalinity is the sum of bicarbonate, carbonate, hydroxide and few other minor components (borate for example). KW is calcium hydroxide and therefore is an alkalinity source. It doesn't remain a hydroxide for very long when dosed correctly but is converted to carbonates and bicarbonates when reacted with carbon dioxide produced in the tank. Of course, both of these are a form of alkalinity and unwanted in a tank high in that component.
__________________
"Leading the information hungry reefer down the road to starvation" Tom Current Tank Info: 130 Now out of service and a 29 |
|
|
|
 |
|
|
