Adding substrate to RO water container to raise calcium?

Runfrumu · 10/12/2007, 10:11 PM

I was testing my calcium and was reading some of the "pointers" after the test part, and it said that when adding the salt to tap water will contain about 100ppm of calcium, but since the RO filter removes most of it, that it was recommended to add crushed coral or some other substrate like that to raise the calcium back in the water.

My question is, would the substrate leach enough back in the make noticeable difference? I got about a 20 gallon RO water tub, and the water last maybe 2 weeks, alot of the times less with water changes and all.

bertoni · 10/12/2007, 10:41 PM

This article discusses the solubility of calcium carbonate in fresh water:

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issu...y2002/chem.htm

Not much is going to dissolve. I wouldn't bother.

Runfrumu · 10/12/2007, 10:45 PM

I appreciate it!

bertoni · 10/12/2007, 11:51 PM

You're welcome!

10/12/2007, 10:11 PM	#1
Runfrumu Hi Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: NC Posts: 1,014	Adding substrate to RO water container to raise calcium? I was testing my calcium and was reading some of the "pointers" after the test part, and it said that when adding the salt to tap water will contain about 100ppm of calcium, but since the RO filter removes most of it, that it was recommended to add crushed coral or some other substrate like that to raise the calcium back in the water. My question is, would the substrate leach enough back in the make noticeable difference? I got about a 20 gallon RO water tub, and the water last maybe 2 weeks, alot of the times less with water changes and all.

10/12/2007, 10:41 PM	#2
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	This article discusses the solubility of calcium carbonate in fresh water: http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issu...y2002/chem.htm Not much is going to dissolve. I wouldn't bother. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

10/12/2007, 10:45 PM	#3
Runfrumu Hi Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: NC Posts: 1,014	I appreciate it! __________________ Red Sea Max 130d and 125 gallon mixed reef. Current Tank Info: 125 gallon oceanic tank, Lighthouse Pro XLS, 72" outer orbit fixture, H&S 150-F2000/1 skimmer, H&S 110 Calcium Reactor, Tunze 7096, 2 Tunze 6105's , Tunze Osmolator, Prime 1/4hp drop-in chiller. 5 years running. Red Sea Max, 3 years.

10/12/2007, 11:51 PM	#4
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	You're welcome! __________________ Jonathan Bertoni