Calcium, Alkalinity and Magnesium Additives

powerplay · 08/27/2006, 07:56 AM

I have questions regarding Reef additives. I am aware of the required levels of salinity, calcium, alkalinity, magnesium, etc, but am unclear how to achieve these levels properly.
I have a 150 gallon with large wet dry, and a 120 gallon DSB plant tank piped into the sump. I also have a calcium reactor, 250 mg ozonizer, large skimmer, and VHO lighting over the display tank. I just purchased about 150 pounds of heavily encrusted coralline live rock, with some inverts, and I want to maintain this beautful rock.
I tested calcium and its only around 300-320. I tried adjusting the reactor this morning. My question is what are the essential additives to have proper calcium levels. I understand that magnesium is an important component. I don't want to haphazardly add chemicals.
You help will be most appreciated.
Thank you

toonascott · 08/27/2006, 11:09 AM

I have been using seachem buffer and Kent Liquid Calcium. I test my water religiously. Ph = 8.3, Calcium 420, Alkalinity 120

I have learned one important lesson with the liquid calcium. Do not put it in RO top off water and then top off your tank. Add the liquid calcium straight into your tank.

You will notice that as soon as you add the liquid calcium to RO water, the water turns cloudy instantly. I think that the liquid calcium precipitates when added to freshwater.

I added the liquid calcium straight into my tank for 2 months and no probs. Today I put it in my top off water and now I have a very cloudy tank.

Boomer · 08/27/2006, 12:28 PM

First, you or anybody, should not be adding liquid calcium or Turbo caclium, as a sup, as it is not balanced. Such additives are a one shot deal. Meaning, if the Ca++ is low you bump it up and then use a balanced additive, like a 2-part, Kalk or Calcium reactor.

I tested calcium and its only around 300-320. I tried adjusting the reactor this morning. My question is what are the essential additives to have proper calcium levels. I understand that magnesium is an important component

You will have to raise that up with something like Kent Turbo Calcium, no more than 20 ppm / day. Once you get to 400 ppm stop and redial the Ca reactor and set up a kalk drip. If the reactor is not enough start a kalk drip to bring pH, Alk and Ca++ in-line. One of the big reasons behind the kalk drip is to bring the pH up to normal as reactors have a habit of lowering the pH do to CO2. Kalk "eats" up CO2

You should make sue that your Magnesium is where it is suppose to be first, 1300 ppm, before you do any of the above.

You should read these before you start.

How to Select a Calcium and Alkalinity Supplementation Scheme
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/feb2003/chem.htm

Solving Calcium and Alkalinity Problems
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/nov2002/chem.htm

A Simplified Guide to the Relationship Between Calcium, Alkalinity, Magnesium and pH
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-06/rhf/index.php

A Guide to Using Calcium Reactors
http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/20...ture/index.php

Calcium Reactor setup calculator (CaCO3/CO2 reactors)
http://home.comcast.net/~jdieck1/reactor.html

powerplay · 08/27/2006, 05:59 PM

Thank you..........I will read the articles. What product do you recommend to bring up the magnesium level?

bertoni · 08/27/2006, 06:19 PM

A commercial product based on magnesium chloride, like the Kent, ESV, or Salifert supplements, should be fine. There are DIY recipes, as well, if you don't mind a larger initial cost.

PatMayo · 08/27/2006, 09:07 PM

Randy had a 2 part reciepe that is very inexpesive as well. It's what I use.

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

Regards,

Pat

sterlruth · 08/28/2006, 08:39 AM

I use Kent M

08/27/2006, 07:56 AM	#1
powerplay Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2001 Posts: 16	Calcium, Alkalinity and Magnesium Additives I have questions regarding Reef additives. I am aware of the required levels of salinity, calcium, alkalinity, magnesium, etc, but am unclear how to achieve these levels properly. I have a 150 gallon with large wet dry, and a 120 gallon DSB plant tank piped into the sump. I also have a calcium reactor, 250 mg ozonizer, large skimmer, and VHO lighting over the display tank. I just purchased about 150 pounds of heavily encrusted coralline live rock, with some inverts, and I want to maintain this beautful rock. I tested calcium and its only around 300-320. I tried adjusting the reactor this morning. My question is what are the essential additives to have proper calcium levels. I understand that magnesium is an important component. I don't want to haphazardly add chemicals. You help will be most appreciated. Thank you

08/27/2006, 11:09 AM	#2
toonascott Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: delray beach Posts: 141	I have been using seachem buffer and Kent Liquid Calcium. I test my water religiously. Ph = 8.3, Calcium 420, Alkalinity 120 I have learned one important lesson with the liquid calcium. Do not put it in RO top off water and then top off your tank. Add the liquid calcium straight into your tank. You will notice that as soon as you add the liquid calcium to RO water, the water turns cloudy instantly. I think that the liquid calcium precipitates when added to freshwater. I added the liquid calcium straight into my tank for 2 months and no probs. Today I put it in my top off water and now I have a very cloudy tank. __________________ 40g CPR skimmer Nova Extreme T5HO 75g ASM skimmer Current T5HO 180g ASM skimmer Current Tank Info: 40g,75g,180g Reef and Fish

08/27/2006, 06:19 PM	#5
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	A commercial product based on magnesium chloride, like the Kent, ESV, or Salifert supplements, should be fine. There are DIY recipes, as well, if you don't mind a larger initial cost. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

08/27/2006, 09:07 PM	#6
PatMayo Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Seattle Posts: 2,843	Randy had a 2 part reciepe that is very inexpesive as well. It's what I use. http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-02/rhf/index.php Regards, Pat __________________ 90 AGA Megaflow (Setup 1-24-06) 120 Lbs. Liverock EuroReef RS 100 Skimmer 2 X 150 MH 2 X 96 watt PC Actinic 2 Clarki Clowns (31 months old) 1 Niger Trigger (Owned 6 months) 2 Tunze 6055 PH Current Tank Info: 90 AGA Megaflow To Be Mixed Reef

08/28/2006, 08:39 AM	#7
sterlruth Premium Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Ask OnStar Posts: 466	I use Kent M __________________ "Qui me amat, amet et piscis meum" The bottle neck is always at the top! Current Tank Info: 2000 Gallons-- Tenecor Display. Schuran AQ 300 w/ AquaKat Auto Wash Down System, Schuran CR250 Professional Series Calcium Reactor, System Controlled by Metasys Controls & now using Zeovit

08/27/2006, 12:28 PM	#3
Boomer Bomb Technician (EOD) Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Duluth, Minnesota Posts: 11,842	First, you or anybody, should not be adding liquid calcium or Turbo caclium, as a sup, as it is not balanced. Such additives are a one shot deal. Meaning, if the Ca++ is low you bump it up and then use a balanced additive, like a 2-part, Kalk or Calcium reactor. I tested calcium and its only around 300-320. I tried adjusting the reactor this morning. My question is what are the essential additives to have proper calcium levels. I understand that magnesium is an important component You will have to raise that up with something like Kent Turbo Calcium, no more than 20 ppm / day. Once you get to 400 ppm stop and redial the Ca reactor and set up a kalk drip. If the reactor is not enough start a kalk drip to bring pH, Alk and Ca++ in-line. One of the big reasons behind the kalk drip is to bring the pH up to normal as reactors have a habit of lowering the pH do to CO2. Kalk "eats" up CO2 You should make sue that your Magnesium is where it is suppose to be first, 1300 ppm, before you do any of the above. You should read these before you start. How to Select a Calcium and Alkalinity Supplementation Scheme http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/feb2003/chem.htm Solving Calcium and Alkalinity Problems http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/nov2002/chem.htm A Simplified Guide to the Relationship Between Calcium, Alkalinity, Magnesium and pH http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-06/rhf/index.php A Guide to Using Calcium Reactors http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/20...ture/index.php Calcium Reactor setup calculator (CaCO3/CO2 reactors) http://home.comcast.net/~jdieck1/reactor.html

08/27/2006, 05:59 PM	#4
powerplay Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2001 Posts: 16	Thank you..........I will read the articles. What product do you recommend to bring up the magnesium level?