Low calcium

C_Moe · 12/25/2018, 06:16 PM

My Calcium is about 340ppm. I can not get it to raise. My stony coal are dying. I was told by my local Aquarium store to use purple tech by Kent's marine. No raise in calcium as of yet. About to do 3rd dose.

90 gal tank with sump and protein skimmer.

mcgyvr · 12/25/2018, 08:14 PM

While low that is verg unlikely to cause corals to die...what are your other parameters?...

Bpb · 12/25/2018, 11:22 PM

First step. Never again ask advice from your lfs. They’re selling things and they sold you a useless product. Their advice will be tarnished with an intent to make a sale on whatever product they’re trying to move. 340 ppm calcium will not kill stony corals. If you want to raise it, I’d get onto bulk reef supply, buy a jug of calcium chloride powder. And follow the instructions. It’ll last you well over a year.

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mcgyvr · 12/26/2018, 07:48 AM

Purple tech does raise calcium..
1ml per gallon will raise it 26ppm I think...

But as stated there are typically much better products out there.. If your calcium is low other parameters like alkalinity will likely be too...Please let us know what others you have tested for and those results and we can give a proper recommendation on addressing everything

nereefpat · 12/26/2018, 09:34 AM

I agree that purple tech should work, but a bulk Ca supplement would be better.

What kind of Ca kit are you using? Folks have trouble with the Ca Hanna checker, for example.

Is it possible that your Mg is low? Do you test for that?

What about alkalinity while we're at it?

homer1475 · 12/26/2018, 01:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nereefpat

I agree that purple tech should work, but a bulk Ca supplement would be better.

What kind of Ca kit are you using? Folks have trouble with the Ca Hanna checker, for example.

Is it possible that your Mg is low? Do you test for that?

What about alkalinity while we're at it?

+1

Wouldn't purple up raise alkalinity faster then calcium? I've never used the product, but from my understanding is it's more of an alkalinity supplement then a calcium?

jlmawp · 12/26/2018, 03:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nereefpat

Is it possible that your Mg is low? Do you test for that?

This. Try this. It's possible the that low mag is making the calcium reading appear to be lower than it actually is.

Uncle99 · 12/27/2018, 09:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jlmawp

This. Try this. It's possible the that low mag is making the calcium reading appear to be lower than it actually is.

This is excellent advice, absolutely make sure your MG is in the range of 1260-1360 firstly, then you raise the CA (or the Alk) into the desired range.

Sugar Magnolia · 12/27/2018, 09:48 AM

If your magnesium is low it's nearly impossible to raise calcium. Mag should be up around 1350 ppm.

hkgar · 12/27/2018, 03:51 PM

Another one comes and asks for advice and is never heard from again.

mcgyvr · 12/27/2018, 06:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hkgar

Another one comes and asks for advice and is never heard from again.

Lots can happen at holiday time... Patience...
Its only been a day

Sugar Magnolia · 12/27/2018, 08:08 PM

Yep.

Bpb · 12/27/2018, 08:23 PM

Rather have someone read replies and not comment back than be the one that asks advice and then argues relentlessly with every single person offering help

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hkgar · 12/29/2018, 04:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bpb

Rather have someone read replies and not comment back than be the one that asks advice and then argues relentlessly with every single person offering help

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

True, but not responding makes like talking to a wall. Just a "thanks for the advice " would be good.

Bpb · 12/29/2018, 08:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hkgar

True, but not responding makes like talking to a wall. Just a "thanks for the advice " would be good.

Agreed

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FireViper · 02/23/2019, 08:14 PM

First of all, thanks for the help, though I'm not the OP.

The calcium levels in our tank dropped over the couple weeks, from around 450 to around 300 or so. So I did a little research and stumbled upon this thread, then went out and picked up a Red Sea Mg test kit. Tough little syringe to get 1ml in, but figured it out.

Anyway, it appears our Mg is around 1280. According to some online sites, that's about normal for sea water. Perusing threads here, Mg should perhaps be 1350-1400 for a reef tank.

Assuming that I do indeed need to raise it, I again assume gradually is the best bet. Picked up some Seachem Mg and some Seachem Calcium supplements. I guessing start with Mg first, then go with some Ca? Or should I do a little bit of both from the get go?

Thanks!

PS Hope it's not bad form to co-opt the thread, but with the comments regarding the vanishing OP, I couldn't help myself.

FishAndPhysics · 02/24/2019, 07:55 AM

Fireviper, why don't you start a new thread. I'm sure some folks (myself included) would be happy to help you there. You can literally copy paste your post. Just good forum practice to not ask a question about your own tank in someone else's question thread, so it is clear who advice is for.

12/25/2018, 06:16 PM	#1
C_Moe Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2018 Posts: 1	Low calcium My Calcium is about 340ppm. I can not get it to raise. My stony coal are dying. I was told by my local Aquarium store to use purple tech by Kent's marine. No raise in calcium as of yet. About to do 3rd dose. 90 gal tank with sump and protein skimmer.

12/25/2018, 08:14 PM	#2
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	While low that is verg unlikely to cause corals to die...what are your other parameters?... __________________ Who me?

12/26/2018, 07:48 AM	#4
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	Purple tech does raise calcium.. 1ml per gallon will raise it 26ppm I think... But as stated there are typically much better products out there.. If your calcium is low other parameters like alkalinity will likely be too...Please let us know what others you have tested for and those results and we can give a proper recommendation on addressing everything __________________ Who me?

12/26/2018, 09:34 AM	#5
nereefpat Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Central Nebraska Posts: 3,190	I agree that purple tech should work, but a bulk Ca supplement would be better. What kind of Ca kit are you using? Folks have trouble with the Ca Hanna checker, for example. Is it possible that your Mg is low? Do you test for that? What about alkalinity while we're at it? __________________ Pat Current Tank Info: 125 in-wall , 40b sump. 6 bulb T5. ASM G2 skimmer. LPS and leathers

12/27/2018, 09:48 AM	#9
Sugar Magnolia Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Northern VA Posts: 17,691	If your magnesium is low it's nearly impossible to raise calcium. Mag should be up around 1350 ppm. __________________ Adrienne The only thing to fear is fear itself....and spiders.

12/25/2018, 11:22 PM	#3
Bpb Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Texas Posts: 3,148	First step. Never again ask advice from your lfs. They’re selling things and they sold you a useless product. Their advice will be tarnished with an intent to make a sale on whatever product they’re trying to move. 340 ppm calcium will not kill stony corals. If you want to raise it, I’d get onto bulk reef supply, buy a jug of calcium chloride powder. And follow the instructions. It’ll last you well over a year. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

12/27/2018, 03:51 PM	#10
hkgar Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Dewitt MI Posts: 5,051	Another one comes and asks for advice and is never heard from again. __________________ Gary 180 gallon, 40 gallon sump, 3 250 W MH + 4 80W ATI T5's, MTC MVX 36 Skimmer, Apex controller Aquamaxx T-3 CaRx Current Tank Info: A 2 Barred Rabbitfish, Red Head Salon, Yellow/Purple, McMaster Fairy, Possum, 2 Leopard Wrasses, Kole, & Atlantic Blue Tangs, 2 Percula Clown, 3 PJ and 1 Banggai Cardinalfish , Swallowtail, Bellus and Coral Beauty Angels

12/27/2018, 08:08 PM	#12
Sugar Magnolia Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Northern VA Posts: 17,691	Yep. __________________ Adrienne The only thing to fear is fear itself....and spiders.

12/27/2018, 08:23 PM	#13
Bpb Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Texas Posts: 3,148	Rather have someone read replies and not comment back than be the one that asks advice and then argues relentlessly with every single person offering help Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

02/23/2019, 08:14 PM	#16
FireViper Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2019 Location: San Francisco Bay Area Posts: 120	First of all, thanks for the help, though I'm not the OP. The calcium levels in our tank dropped over the couple weeks, from around 450 to around 300 or so. So I did a little research and stumbled upon this thread, then went out and picked up a Red Sea Mg test kit. Tough little syringe to get 1ml in, but figured it out. Anyway, it appears our Mg is around 1280. According to some online sites, that's about normal for sea water. Perusing threads here, Mg should perhaps be 1350-1400 for a reef tank. Assuming that I do indeed need to raise it, I again assume gradually is the best bet. Picked up some Seachem Mg and some Seachem Calcium supplements. I guessing start with Mg first, then go with some Ca? Or should I do a little bit of both from the get go? Thanks! PS Hope it's not bad form to co-opt the thread, but with the comments regarding the vanishing OP, I couldn't help myself.

02/24/2019, 07:55 AM	#17
FishAndPhysics Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: NY Posts: 95	Fireviper, why don't you start a new thread. I'm sure some folks (myself included) would be happy to help you there. You can literally copy paste your post. Just good forum practice to not ask a question about your own tank in someone else's question thread, so it is clear who advice is for. __________________ 90 Gallon Mixed Reef with 20g sump Current Stock: 1 - Ocellaris Clownfish, 1 - Yellow Tang, 1 - Kole Yellow Eye Tang, 1 - unidentified hitchhiker goby, 1 - Coral Beauty, 3 - Lyretail Anthias.