How do you bring up your CA, MAG when using Instant Ocean.

redspot321 · 10/30/2006, 08:31 AM

Hi Im looking at

Seachem
"reef calcium'"
"Reef Complete"
AND
"Reef Advantage"

I dose Kalk daily to maintain levels. Which should I use to boost the levels initailly?

miatawnt2b · 10/30/2006, 08:39 AM

I add 3/4 teaspoon of prestone driveway heat per 3 gal of Instant Ocean Mix to boost the CA. I have not tested the standard IO mix for Mg yet, but I plan on it this week. I will use Epsom Salts to boost the Mg.

Reef Chemistry Calculator
http://home.comcast.net/~jdieck1/chem_calc3.html

Also, you might want to do some reading in the Chemistry forum.

-J

jeffbrig · 10/30/2006, 08:41 AM

Anything containing calcium chloride can be used to boost Ca. I've used ESV CaCl, and recently switched to buying Dowflake to use. Read up on Randy's Ca/Alk recipes, and use the calcium part to correct any deficiency in IO.

For Magnesium, you can use Epsom salts, but the sulfate and chloride levels may not be ideal. A mix of MgCl (sold as magflake de-icer up north) and Epsom salts may be better. Again, read about Randy's 2-part Ca/Alk where he talks about supplementing magnesium to get an idea of the issues involved.

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-02/rhf/index.php

DrBDC · 10/30/2006, 09:06 AM

I use the reciepe 2 in the thread above that jeffbrig posted. I bring the ca up by about 70 and the mag up by about 150.

Craig Lambert · 10/30/2006, 09:11 AM

I use Kent turbo calcium, and esv-magnesium when mixing IO. For a small water change (10% or 7G in my case). I adjust it in the tank rather than prior to going in.

nmprisons · 10/30/2006, 09:24 AM

how about using reef crystals instead?

LOTUS50GOD · 10/30/2006, 09:58 AM

Just get a different salt that has the proper mix

antonsemrad · 10/30/2006, 12:29 PM

What about alkinity? With daily additions of lime water, I would think that calcium would be available. Do you know what the alkilinity of IO is? I would just add carbonates, and mabe magnesium if needed. It just seems that I never hear about people having problems with not having enought calcium if there is plenty of carbonates available, and they add the two in a balanced fashon (like you).

Craig Lambert · 10/30/2006, 12:35 PM

I have always found IO alkalinity to test on the high side of the acceptable range. (Around11-11.5 dKH).

DrBDC · 10/30/2006, 12:38 PM

IO runs around 11. Your kalk adds a balanced amount of ca and alk. So if it keeps up with one, it's keeping up with both of them.

jimbo045 · 10/30/2006, 01:26 PM

I gave up that Kalk. things. And use that 16oz. PurpleUp. Seems the key to me. Think it boosts, CA,Strontium,Mag, Alk.

Craig Lambert · 10/30/2006, 01:43 PM

Purple up isn't going to do anything in terms of maintaining a balanced calcium and Alk level. Its main ingredient (fine calcium carbonate particles) won't dissolve. Randy has responded to many inquiries about this stuff on the chemistry forum, and it's pretty clear that it's a product to be avoided.

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...ight=purple+up

crumbletop · 10/30/2006, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by jeffbrig
Anything containing calcium chloride can be used to boost Ca. I've used ESV CaCl, and recently switched to buying Dowflake to use. Read up on Randy's Ca/Alk recipes, and use the calcium part to correct any deficiency in IO.

For Magnesium, you can use Epsom salts, but the sulfate and chloride levels may not be ideal. A mix of MgCl (sold as magflake de-icer up north) and Epsom salts may be better. Again, read about Randy's 2-part Ca/Alk where he talks about supplementing magnesium to get an idea of the issues involved.

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-02/rhf/index.php

That article is for supplementing Mg in conjunction with using Randy's two part Ca and Alk solutions. It is balanced with the chloride ions from the Ca part. For supplementing the salt mix you should use either just MgCl (MagFlake) or a 10:1 mix of MagFlake and Magnesium Sulfate. The 10:1 mix is balanced for the major ions with natural salt water. It is probably easiest just to use the MgCl. Here is the link (another one of Randy's helpful articles):

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-07/rhf/index.php

meschaefer · 10/30/2006, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by LOTUS50GOD
Just get a different salt that has the proper mix

Such as?

10/30/2006, 08:31 AM	#1
redspot321 Moved On Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: palm bay fl Posts: 1,711	How do you bring up your CA, MAG when using Instant Ocean. Hi Im looking at Seachem "reef calcium'" "Reef Complete" AND "Reef Advantage" I dose Kalk daily to maintain levels. Which should I use to boost the levels initailly?

10/30/2006, 08:41 AM	#3
jeffbrig Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Ft. Lauderdale, FL Posts: 5,548	Anything containing calcium chloride can be used to boost Ca. I've used ESV CaCl, and recently switched to buying Dowflake to use. Read up on Randy's Ca/Alk recipes, and use the calcium part to correct any deficiency in IO. For Magnesium, you can use Epsom salts, but the sulfate and chloride levels may not be ideal. A mix of MgCl (sold as magflake de-icer up north) and Epsom salts may be better. Again, read about Randy's 2-part Ca/Alk where he talks about supplementing magnesium to get an idea of the issues involved. http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-02/rhf/index.php __________________ Beware the power of stupid people in large groups..... Current Tank Info: formerly 250g room divider

10/30/2006, 09:06 AM	#4
DrBDC Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Ballwin, Missouri Posts: 10,358	I use the reciepe 2 in the thread above that jeffbrig posted. I bring the ca up by about 70 and the mag up by about 150. __________________ Some drink at the fountain of knowledge, some just gargle, but most are rabid. Current Tank Info: 180g sps+75 softy/lps on one system tunze's, seio's, mjmods, aquacontroller w/add ons, 2X400 XM10000 and 3X160 vho actinic, 110g sump, 110 frag tank, Geo Beckett and other stuff

10/30/2006, 09:11 AM	#5
Craig Lambert Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 2,897	I use Kent turbo calcium, and esv-magnesium when mixing IO. For a small water change (10% or 7G in my case). I adjust it in the tank rather than prior to going in. __________________ "Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and he will spend all day in a boat drinking beer." Current Tank Info: 75G Tank, 29G Sump, 100lbs LR, AquaC EV-180, Iwaki MD-20RT return Tunze nano streams 4X54 t-5/Icecap Ballast & SLR's 2x110 vho actinic

10/30/2006, 09:24 AM	#6
nmprisons Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Chicago Posts: 1,520	how about using reef crystals instead? __________________ 25gallon tank up and cycling since 7/29/06 Mostly LPS reef (lords, micros, duncans, etc.) with some ricordia florida and zoanthids. Current Tank Info: 25 gallon, 28lbs of Marshall Island and Kaelini Live Rock, 2x65 power compact lighting, IFS Protein Skimmer

10/30/2006, 08:39 AM	#2
miatawnt2b Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 1,467	I add 3/4 teaspoon of prestone driveway heat per 3 gal of Instant Ocean Mix to boost the CA. I have not tested the standard IO mix for Mg yet, but I plan on it this week. I will use Epsom Salts to boost the Mg. Reef Chemistry Calculator http://home.comcast.net/~jdieck1/chem_calc3.html Also, you might want to do some reading in the Chemistry forum. -J

10/30/2006, 09:58 AM	#7
LOTUS50GOD Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 3,210	Just get a different salt that has the proper mix __________________ Vertex Alpha 300 Skimmer, AI SOL Blue, Neptune Apex Controlled 360 gallon Reef Current Tank Info: born 6/26/2008- 340 reef + 100 fuge, 300lbs of figi LR

10/30/2006, 12:29 PM	#8
antonsemrad Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Little Chute WI Posts: 436	What about alkinity? With daily additions of lime water, I would think that calcium would be available. Do you know what the alkilinity of IO is? I would just add carbonates, and mabe magnesium if needed. It just seems that I never hear about people having problems with not having enought calcium if there is plenty of carbonates available, and they add the two in a balanced fashon (like you).

10/30/2006, 12:35 PM	#9
Craig Lambert Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 2,897	I have always found IO alkalinity to test on the high side of the acceptable range. (Around11-11.5 dKH). __________________ "Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and he will spend all day in a boat drinking beer." Current Tank Info: 75G Tank, 29G Sump, 100lbs LR, AquaC EV-180, Iwaki MD-20RT return Tunze nano streams 4X54 t-5/Icecap Ballast & SLR's 2x110 vho actinic

10/30/2006, 12:38 PM	#10
DrBDC Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Ballwin, Missouri Posts: 10,358	IO runs around 11. Your kalk adds a balanced amount of ca and alk. So if it keeps up with one, it's keeping up with both of them. __________________ Some drink at the fountain of knowledge, some just gargle, but most are rabid. Current Tank Info: 180g sps+75 softy/lps on one system tunze's, seio's, mjmods, aquacontroller w/add ons, 2X400 XM10000 and 3X160 vho actinic, 110g sump, 110 frag tank, Geo Beckett and other stuff

10/30/2006, 01:26 PM	#11
jimbo045 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Aiea, HI. Posts: 1,788	I gave up that Kalk. things. And use that 16oz. PurpleUp. Seems the key to me. Think it boosts, CA,Strontium,Mag, Alk.

10/30/2006, 01:43 PM	#12
Craig Lambert Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 2,897	Purple up isn't going to do anything in terms of maintaining a balanced calcium and Alk level. Its main ingredient (fine calcium carbonate particles) won't dissolve. Randy has responded to many inquiries about this stuff on the chemistry forum, and it's pretty clear that it's a product to be avoided. http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...ight=purple+up __________________ "Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and he will spend all day in a boat drinking beer." Current Tank Info: 75G Tank, 29G Sump, 100lbs LR, AquaC EV-180, Iwaki MD-20RT return Tunze nano streams 4X54 t-5/Icecap Ballast & SLR's 2x110 vho actinic