High varience in calcium levels

Capslock118 · 01/16/2008, 12:02 PM

I have been using the b-ionic as Mr_X has suggested since the end of November. I started adding the 2 part b-ionic once per week during my weekly scheduled tests. The levels have been between 340 - 400 with a steady alk at 3.0 and pH around 8.1.

As of 1/11 I decided to use the b-ionic per the instructions with the hope of raising the calcium to above 400. The instructions call for adding )per my tanks specs) 12ml of alk and calcium buffer every 24 hours until a satisfied level is in place.

My levels went 360 - 340 - 340 - 400 - 320. The 320 was after a day of rest from testing and dosing, so today.
Alk went like this: 2.5 - 2.5 - 3.5 - 3 - 3.5
pH was 8.1 - 8.0 - 8.1 - 8.2 - 8.3

My question is, why has the calcium dropped so dramatically?

I am noticing that my candy cane coral appears on its top to be a little lighter in color than before, unless I am remembering wrong. A few days ago, mid-way through the test days the water was cloudy a bit, though I might attribute that to mixing the sand around; still, it shouldn't take more than 24 hours for the sand to settle, and the cloudiness lasted longer then that.

My phosphates today are finally at .3, it has slowly been declining since 12/5 but before that was at 1.0 for the longest time.

seapug · 01/16/2008, 01:01 PM

You probably surpassed the super-saturation point of Calcium at the Alk. and pH in your tank. The Calcium precipitated out in the cloud you saw. You won't be able to raise the Calcium level further reduction in pH or Alk.

I don't use the 2 part products, but I think to raise the Calcium level you'll need to dose only the Calcium part of the product. Someone else moare familiar with those products can probably give better info.

WarrenG · 01/16/2008, 02:56 PM

Best to post the question in the reef chemistry forum, or better yet, read the articles pinned there.

Low magnesium could also lead to these problems. I suggest using a 2-part system for more control and consistency.

Capslock118 · 01/17/2008, 02:25 PM

Ok,

I am not exactly sure how to move a thread over to another forum, what do i need to do? or is it simply just starting a new thread in the other forums? I would imagine the latter is against TOS.

Back to topic,

If I added only the calcium part of the 2-part system wouldn't that cause a huge drop in alk and pH?

seapug · 01/17/2008, 02:59 PM

If you do it slowly and monitor the levels you can inch it up that way.

01/16/2008, 12:02 PM	#1
Capslock118 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: New Haven, CT Posts: 93	High varience in calcium levels I have been using the b-ionic as Mr_X has suggested since the end of November. I started adding the 2 part b-ionic once per week during my weekly scheduled tests. The levels have been between 340 - 400 with a steady alk at 3.0 and pH around 8.1. As of 1/11 I decided to use the b-ionic per the instructions with the hope of raising the calcium to above 400. The instructions call for adding )per my tanks specs) 12ml of alk and calcium buffer every 24 hours until a satisfied level is in place. My levels went 360 - 340 - 340 - 400 - 320. The 320 was after a day of rest from testing and dosing, so today. Alk went like this: 2.5 - 2.5 - 3.5 - 3 - 3.5 pH was 8.1 - 8.0 - 8.1 - 8.2 - 8.3 My question is, why has the calcium dropped so dramatically? I am noticing that my candy cane coral appears on its top to be a little lighter in color than before, unless I am remembering wrong. A few days ago, mid-way through the test days the water was cloudy a bit, though I might attribute that to mixing the sand around; still, it shouldn't take more than 24 hours for the sand to settle, and the cloudiness lasted longer then that. My phosphates today are finally at .3, it has slowly been declining since 12/5 but before that was at 1.0 for the longest time. __________________ In the face of death smile, it's the last memory you will ever have. Current Tank Info: 24 Gal nano cube, no protein skimmer, no sump

01/16/2008, 01:01 PM	#2
seapug Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: 4980 ft. Posts: 7,954 Blog Entries: 1	You probably surpassed the super-saturation point of Calcium at the Alk. and pH in your tank. The Calcium precipitated out in the cloud you saw. You won't be able to raise the Calcium level further reduction in pH or Alk. I don't use the 2 part products, but I think to raise the Calcium level you'll need to dose only the Calcium part of the product. Someone else moare familiar with those products can probably give better info. __________________ insert clever saying here. Current Tank Info: 200 gallon custom Marineland DD peninsular tank. LPS dominated mixed reef. Previous 90 gallon mixed reef TOTM April 2009.

01/17/2008, 02:25 PM	#4
Capslock118 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: New Haven, CT Posts: 93	Ok, I am not exactly sure how to move a thread over to another forum, what do i need to do? or is it simply just starting a new thread in the other forums? I would imagine the latter is against TOS. Back to topic, If I added only the calcium part of the 2-part system wouldn't that cause a huge drop in alk and pH? __________________ In the face of death smile, it's the last memory you will ever have. Current Tank Info: 24 Gal nano cube, no protein skimmer, no sump

01/17/2008, 02:59 PM	#5
seapug Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: 4980 ft. Posts: 7,954 Blog Entries: 1	If you do it slowly and monitor the levels you can inch it up that way. __________________ insert clever saying here. Current Tank Info: 200 gallon custom Marineland DD peninsular tank. LPS dominated mixed reef. Previous 90 gallon mixed reef TOTM April 2009.

01/16/2008, 02:56 PM	#3
WarrenG Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Sunnyvale, CA Posts: 738	Best to post the question in the reef chemistry forum, or better yet, read the articles pinned there. Low magnesium could also lead to these problems. I suggest using a 2-part system for more control and consistency.