Best way to Raise Calcium

beaslbob

beaslbob

Well-Known Member
Originally Posted by Raseri
http:///forum/post/3255135
how much Mg ppm can be dosed per/day, so that my Ca will increase. pH-8.3, KH-8=143.2, PO4-zero, NO3-zero. Ca-320. i plan on drip dosing my Mg in 2gal RO H2O.
Your calcium will not increase by just adding magnesium.
Check out the diy 2 part.
First get the parameters in line say ca 400ppm , alk 9 dkh, magnesium 1350ppm.
Then do what you need to measure each and dose for your tank size as needed. Magnesium can be brought up with magesium chloride and some epsom salts. alk with baking soda. calcium with calcium chloride. Calcium chloride is an ice melter to melt ice on sidewalks/roads. Plus it is used to harden cement in colder temperatures. So you can check with your local redimix companies to see if they have calcium chloride.
Magnesium chloride is also an ice melter but is harder to find.
epsom salts and baking soda is just from the local drug stores and grocery stores.
my .02
 
raseri

raseri

Member
We are trying to get are parameters in line. We are adding the Magnesium so that we can get the calcium up, because we were told earlier that if our mag isn't up it the calcium wont hold. We have Epsom Salt, so we want to dose that into the refugium. And we would like to know how much of that can be dosed per day. A maximum. And how much part baking soda per part Epsom salt.
 
J

jstdv8

Guest
like the one poster asked, can you give us a calcium number on a batch of newly made saltwater?
The reason this was asked is some salt mixes have a very low calcium content. ok for fish only but really lacking for reefs.
So, every time you do a water change (presumably once a week or so) you are depleting your calcium by doing your WC.
 
flower

flower

Well-Known Member
Originally Posted by Bang Guy
http:///forum/post/3254881
I agree. If you are having difficulty maintaining Calcium at 400ppm then make sure Magnesium isn't low and the Alkalinity isn't too high.

Can you please explain how high Alkalinity effects Calcium in easy to understand lingo? My Calcium is very low, I have been making sure my Alkalinity stays up to stabilize my PH, my PH is finally perfect...now this...
 
geoj

geoj

Active Member
Originally Posted by Flower
http:///forum/post/3255181

Can you please explain how high Alkalinity effects Calcium in easy to understand lingo? My Calcium is very low, I have been making sure my Alkalinity stays up to stabilize my PH, my PH is finally perfect...now this...

Ok I will try; kH (alkalinity) is mostly carbonate and bicarbonate. Calcium has more then one form and we want the form that keeps as much calcium suspended or dissolved in the water as we can get. Magnesium helps us do this by preventing calcium from becoming Calcium carbonate a form of calcium that does not stay suspended or dissolved in water as well as others forms do. So if you have more carbonate (alkalinity) then the magnesium can block from binding with Calcium then calcium becomes Calcium carbonate and tends to clump together and fall out of the water (precipitate out).
 
raseri

raseri

Member
So I tested the mixed saltwater and it was only 220, and we tested the Mag in the tank and that was 1200.
 
raseri

raseri

Member
We kinda don't know..
So we figured we are just going to have to add a bunch of calcium to the mix before we dothe water changes.. Right?
 
bang guy

bang guy

Moderator
NO!! Do not add more Calcium to your salt mix or new saltwater. Trace elements need to be dosed into the sump or display tank directly. Small regular doses will work better than large, infrequent dosing.
Either your salt mix is bad (probable) or you are not mixing your saltwater correctly. If you list, in great detail, how you mix you new saltwater perhaps I can help with that.
 
raseri

raseri

Member
We put half a cup of salt per gallon of water into a bucket and then pour RO water into it and we do a 20% water change.
 
bang guy

bang guy

Moderator
Originally Posted by Raseri
http:///forum/post/3256616
We put half a cup of salt per gallon of water into a bucket and then pour RO water into it and we do a 20% water change.
Yeah, that's a problem. When you add the water to the salt it supersaturates Calcium and Carbonate leaving you with low levels of both.
The necessity for mixing saltwater is to dissolve the calcium chloride as quickly as possible. Try this:
Add cold water to the bucket
When adding salt to the water (never add the water to the salt) add the salt very slowly while vigerously stirring the water
Let the water sit for 24 hours before using it
I think if you do it this way and test for Calcium you'll get a level higher than 220ppm.
 
raseri

raseri

Member
Hmm... I'm definitly going to have to try that tomorrow. I've never been told to mix the water a certain way.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top