calcium level question

ckovach333 · 01/25/2012, 05:58 PM

I have been using Kent marine purple tech. It is supposed to encourage purple coralline algae, green calcareous algae, raise calcium. It also has strontium, magnesium, and dkh buffering.

My concern is that I checked my calcium a little over a week ago and it was around 380 so i used the recommended dose for my 45 gallon tank about 7 times. The product says it will raise calcium 26 with 1 cc per gallon. So I should have at least raised it 26 but I tested it today and it read 380. I just did a water change with reef crystals which I have just started using again. I am concerned my strontium and mag levels may be increasing and not my calcium. I don't want to hurt my tank. Should I stop using this product? I dont have a magnesium or strontium test kit.

Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks.

mguiling · 01/25/2012, 07:19 PM

My tank is still cycling, so things are out of balance, but what is happening is similar, I think. My tap water is right at 7 ph, so to get it up I used Seachem Marine Buffer (mainly calcium). It worked perfectly the first time I used it, but now the tank wants to stay at 7.8. So, I suspect there is some acid consuming the calcium and other alkalines in their mix. Hopefully someone can offer more insight.

Sport507 · 01/25/2012, 07:44 PM

If you keep Magnesium 1320-1350 Calcium 420-450 and Alkalinity at about 7-11 dKH. Coralline will grow naturally time permitting.

As for a calcium additive it would be calcium chloride.

http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/store/...-for-aquariums

People waste too much money on products labeled purple, don’t go their folk's. Visit the chemistry forum and read Randy’s recipes.

01/25/2012, 05:58 PM	#1
ckovach333 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 60	calcium level question I have been using Kent marine purple tech. It is supposed to encourage purple coralline algae, green calcareous algae, raise calcium. It also has strontium, magnesium, and dkh buffering. My concern is that I checked my calcium a little over a week ago and it was around 380 so i used the recommended dose for my 45 gallon tank about 7 times. The product says it will raise calcium 26 with 1 cc per gallon. So I should have at least raised it 26 but I tested it today and it read 380. I just did a water change with reef crystals which I have just started using again. I am concerned my strontium and mag levels may be increasing and not my calcium. I don't want to hurt my tank. Should I stop using this product? I dont have a magnesium or strontium test kit. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks.

01/25/2012, 07:19 PM	#2
mguiling Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: New Jersey, near Philadelphia Posts: 199	My tank is still cycling, so things are out of balance, but what is happening is similar, I think. My tap water is right at 7 ph, so to get it up I used Seachem Marine Buffer (mainly calcium). It worked perfectly the first time I used it, but now the tank wants to stay at 7.8. So, I suspect there is some acid consuming the calcium and other alkalines in their mix. Hopefully someone can offer more insight. Last edited by mguiling; 01/25/2012 at 07:22 PM. Reason: To subscribe

01/25/2012, 07:44 PM	#3
Sport507 ~Just a Farm Boy~ Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Central Indiana Posts: 1,651	If you keep Magnesium 1320-1350 Calcium 420-450 and Alkalinity at about 7-11 dKH. Coralline will grow naturally time permitting. As for a calcium additive it would be calcium chloride. http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/store/...-for-aquariums People waste too much money on products labeled purple, don’t go their folk's. Visit the chemistry forum and read Randy’s recipes. __________________ Sport If you do not test for it, DON'T dose it. Indiana INDMAS Member Last edited by Sport507; 01/25/2012 at 08:03 PM.