Adding Calcium?

[scubaguy]

I just wanted to put this thread up for the newbies like myself. I was adding small amounts of calcium to my aquarium with out checking it. I recently had to buy a calcium test because no one carrired the test or they were outragously priced locally. I checked my calcium levels and they were 560 so I did a water change. I use Coralife Salt and after the water change I checked my levels again and they were at 410. Three days later I checked the levels again and still 410. On my water change day I checked my levels before the water change and it was still 410. What I am getting at is like BANGGUY and the other sharks on this board stated so not add any supplements unless you have a test and test for it. My corals look great and they seem to like the water conditions.

 

[bang guy]

Excellent post!
Now if I can just get hobbiests to understand how important maintaining Alkalinity is to growing corals.

 

[scubaguy]

Recently bought that too.

 

[larryndana]

how often should i check my alk and cal?

 

[bang guy]

Originally Posted by larryndana
how often should i check my alk and cal?
A couple times a week until you can figure out what the consumption rate is. It works best to use a spreadsheet and chart the levels against the dosing amounts. Then once a week for a while just to verify you know the consumption rate and also can predict the effects of a water change and dosing Calcium and Carbonate on the levels.
Once a month after that because the consumption rate should slowly increase over time as your corals get bigger.
Testing is the #1 tool for maintaining coral.

 

[t-ro]

What test kit do you guys use?I am never very convinced that my test is accurate.Is There a Way to test your test kit?

 

[scubaguy]

so my alkinity is 3.25 and I have coral. How is that?

 

[bang guy]

Originally Posted by ScubaGuy
so my alkinity is 3.25 and I have coral. How is that?
3.25 what? If it's Meq/L then it's perfect IMO.

 

[larryndana]

Originally Posted by T-RO
What test kit do you guys use?I am never very convinced that my test is accurate.Is There a Way to test your test kit?
go to your lfs and have them test it, against what you have.

 

[larryndana]

Originally Posted by Bang Guy
3.25 what? If it's Meq/L then it's perfect IMO.
where can i find the levels it should be at? cal and alk.

 

[scubaguy]

larryndana, most of the time the instructions will tell you the proper levels.
BangGuy, yes it was Meq/L. Sorry

 

[fbm]

Here is a chart from the archives....
Alkalinity__Alkalinity____Alkalinity_____Calcium
(meq/L)____(dKH)___(ppm CaCO3)__(ppm Ca++)
--0.0

[hr]
0.0

[hr]
0

[hr]
360
--0.5

[hr]
1.4

[hr]
25

[hr]
370
--1.0

[hr]
2.8

[hr]
50

[hr]
380
--1.5

[hr]
4.2

[hr]
75

[hr]
390
--2.0

[hr]
5.6

[hr]
100

[hr]
400
--2.5

[hr]
7.0

[hr]
125

[hr]
410
--3.0

[hr]
8.4

[hr]
150

[hr]
420
--3.5

[hr]
9.8

[hr]
175

[hr]
430
--4.0

[hr]
11.2

[hr]
200

[hr]
440
--4.5

[hr]
12.6

[hr]
225

[hr]
450
--5.0

[hr]
14.0

[hr]
250

[hr]
460
--5.5

[hr]
15.4

[hr]
275

[hr]
470
--6.0

[hr]
16.8

[hr]
300

[hr]
480
--6.5

[hr]
18.2

[hr]
325

[hr]
490
--7.0

[hr]
19.6

[hr]
350

[hr]
500
Also I found this, I haven't used it but I going to try it out....
http://home.comcast.net/%7Ejdieck1/chem_calc3.html

 

[fbm]

That web site I posted has no links or advertisement that I could find anywhere. If there is one I apologize but I did look.