calcium and alkalinity
- Thread starter thang45
- Start date
windlasher
Member
Originally Posted by thang45
http:///forum/post/3035391
Hello everyone,
If I want my calcium to be 450ppm, what level should my alkalinity be at to balance it out.
Thanks in advance.
google bulk reef supply. they have a calculator. in fact there are many calculators to be googled. and yes, you have to adjust them separately. a calcium reactor will help balance them out but is expensive to get started.
http:///forum/post/3035391
Hello everyone,
If I want my calcium to be 450ppm, what level should my alkalinity be at to balance it out.
Thanks in advance.
google bulk reef supply. they have a calculator. in fact there are many calculators to be googled. and yes, you have to adjust them separately. a calcium reactor will help balance them out but is expensive to get started.
tracymace1229
Member
Bob Fenner has used the bowl of marbles analogy. You can only have so many 'marbles' of each type {of particulate} in the bowl {water}. So if you add too much calcium, then the Alk may cause a Calcium Carbonate Precipitation Event {magnesium also plays a roll there too}
From what I read...Calcium of 350 to 400 is normal for reefs and dkh of 8-12 is the standard range opted for. Dont try to get both at the upper end as that is difficult to do.
good luck
From what I read...Calcium of 350 to 400 is normal for reefs and dkh of 8-12 is the standard range opted for. Dont try to get both at the upper end as that is difficult to do.
good luck
stanlalee
Active Member
according to the calculators 4.45meq/l would be the "balanced" figure however 420ppm ca and 295meq/l is more ideal "balanced" target for most reef tanks IMO not because of the ca but because of the high alk required for balanced ca/alk at 450ppm. I dont balance myself, I keep low alk and high ca.
spanko
Active Member
Calcium (Ca)
Natural Seawater Value: 400 mg/L
Acceptable Range: 350 to 450 mg/L
Calcium is a critical parameter for coral growth in reef aquariums, and chronically low levels will cause coral mortality and loss of coralline algae and other invertebrate species.
Magnesium (Mg)
Natural Seawater Value: 1280 mg/L
Acceptable Range: 1100 to 1400 mg/L
Magnesium is a very important part of the water buffering system, and is incorporated into coral skeletons. It is also critical to any photosynthetic processes.
Alkalinity (meq/L)
Natural Seawater Value: 2.5 meq/L
Acceptable Range: 2.5 to 5.0 meq/L
Maintaining an appropriate alkalinity is crucial to maintaining a healthy aquarium. A fluctuating alkalinity will lead to serious problems in maintaining an appropriate pH, as well as problems keeping calcium and magnesium levels within required ranges.
Natural Seawater Value: 400 mg/L
Acceptable Range: 350 to 450 mg/L
Calcium is a critical parameter for coral growth in reef aquariums, and chronically low levels will cause coral mortality and loss of coralline algae and other invertebrate species.
Magnesium (Mg)
Natural Seawater Value: 1280 mg/L
Acceptable Range: 1100 to 1400 mg/L
Magnesium is a very important part of the water buffering system, and is incorporated into coral skeletons. It is also critical to any photosynthetic processes.
Alkalinity (meq/L)
Natural Seawater Value: 2.5 meq/L
Acceptable Range: 2.5 to 5.0 meq/L
Maintaining an appropriate alkalinity is crucial to maintaining a healthy aquarium. A fluctuating alkalinity will lead to serious problems in maintaining an appropriate pH, as well as problems keeping calcium and magnesium levels within required ranges.
thang45
Member
Thanks everyone.
The reason why I want to know is because I use the calculator from http://reef.diesyst.com/flashcalc/flashcalc.html, and it said if my calcium is 450ppm then they recommend my alkalinity to be 12 dKH.
My current parameters are:
Calcium = 440ppm
Alkalinity = 10dKH
Magnesium = 1320
Is this ok, or should I try to bump up the Alkalinity so it can be close to 12 dKH?
The reason why I want to know is because I use the calculator from http://reef.diesyst.com/flashcalc/flashcalc.html, and it said if my calcium is 450ppm then they recommend my alkalinity to be 12 dKH.
My current parameters are:
Calcium = 440ppm
Alkalinity = 10dKH
Magnesium = 1320
Is this ok, or should I try to bump up the Alkalinity so it can be close to 12 dKH?
stanlalee
Active Member
Originally Posted by thang45
http:///forum/post/3037440
Thanks everyone.
The reason why I want to know is because I use the calculator from http://reef.diesyst.com/flashcalc/flashcalc.html, and it said if my calcium is 450ppm then they recommend my alkalinity to be 12 dKH.
My current parameters are:
Calcium = 440ppm
Alkalinity = 10dKH
Magnesium = 1320
Is this ok, or should I try to bump up the Alkalinity so it can be close to 12 dKH?
those "balanced" calculaters are based on some sort of carbonate consumption vs calcium consumption (I think). I pay them no mind. they may work if you are using a 2part and going by just one of those two parameters to dose both parts. as you have found according to the calculators any calcium figure over 420ppm will yeild a "calculated" relative high alkalinity. Any stable Ca between 400-460ppm and stable dKH between 8-10 would be ideal. No need to try to "match" or calculate figures beyond that. If you have Ca of 450ppm and dKH of 9 you wont reap any benefits or help anything raising it to the calculated 12dKH. natural seawater has a dKH of about 7. you might do more harm than good trying to keep 12dKH and I dont know any reefers who target any higher than 10.
http:///forum/post/3037440
Thanks everyone.
The reason why I want to know is because I use the calculator from http://reef.diesyst.com/flashcalc/flashcalc.html, and it said if my calcium is 450ppm then they recommend my alkalinity to be 12 dKH.
My current parameters are:
Calcium = 440ppm
Alkalinity = 10dKH
Magnesium = 1320
Is this ok, or should I try to bump up the Alkalinity so it can be close to 12 dKH?
those "balanced" calculaters are based on some sort of carbonate consumption vs calcium consumption (I think). I pay them no mind. they may work if you are using a 2part and going by just one of those two parameters to dose both parts. as you have found according to the calculators any calcium figure over 420ppm will yeild a "calculated" relative high alkalinity. Any stable Ca between 400-460ppm and stable dKH between 8-10 would be ideal. No need to try to "match" or calculate figures beyond that. If you have Ca of 450ppm and dKH of 9 you wont reap any benefits or help anything raising it to the calculated 12dKH. natural seawater has a dKH of about 7. you might do more harm than good trying to keep 12dKH and I dont know any reefers who target any higher than 10.
thang45
Member
Originally Posted by Stanlalee
http:///forum/post/3037839
those "balanced" calculaters are based on some sort of carbonate consumption vs calcium consumption (I think). I pay them no mind. they may work if you are using a 2part and going by just one of those two parameters to dose both parts. as you have found according to the calculators any calcium figure over 420ppm will yeild a "calculated" relative high alkalinity. Any stable Ca between 400-460ppm and stable dKH between 8-10 would be ideal. No need to try to "match" or calculate figures beyond that. If you have Ca of 450ppm and dKH of 9 you wont reap any benefits or help anything raising it to the calculated 12dKH. natural seawater has a dKH of about 7. you might do more harm than good trying to keep 12dKH and I dont know any reefers who target any higher than 10.
So I guess my current param are good?
http:///forum/post/3037839
those "balanced" calculaters are based on some sort of carbonate consumption vs calcium consumption (I think). I pay them no mind. they may work if you are using a 2part and going by just one of those two parameters to dose both parts. as you have found according to the calculators any calcium figure over 420ppm will yeild a "calculated" relative high alkalinity. Any stable Ca between 400-460ppm and stable dKH between 8-10 would be ideal. No need to try to "match" or calculate figures beyond that. If you have Ca of 450ppm and dKH of 9 you wont reap any benefits or help anything raising it to the calculated 12dKH. natural seawater has a dKH of about 7. you might do more harm than good trying to keep 12dKH and I dont know any reefers who target any higher than 10.
So I guess my current param are good?
stanlalee
Active Member
Originally Posted by thang45
http:///forum/post/3038534
So I guess my current param are good?
yep, i would try to keep them right there.
http:///forum/post/3038534
So I guess my current param are good?
yep, i would try to keep them right there.
thang45
Member
Originally Posted by jackri
http:///forum/post/3038606
Oh, btw... most people would kill for those levels you're currently at.
Really? Is it hard to bring it to that level?
I'm new and still learning.
http:///forum/post/3038606
Oh, btw... most people would kill for those levels you're currently at.
Really? Is it hard to bring it to that level?
I'm new and still learning.
thang45
Member
Originally Posted by jackri
http:///forum/post/3038613
Your levels are ideal already.. any reason to get exactly 450?
I'm using the salt mix that has 450ppm. I’m just trying to match it so the tank will be stable when I do water change.
Originally Posted by spanko
http:///forum/post/3038614
IMO not too hard to attain a level, that hard part is keeping stable.
I have been adding 2 parts everyday. This hobby is fun but it is a lot of work and reading.
Originally Posted by GeoJ
http:///forum/post/3038629
Keep a log so you can see what happens when you try to change the chemistry…
I have been doing that. I use to check my water everyday for Calcium, Alkalinity and Magnesium but the changes are minimal. So now I check it every 4-5 days, besides salifert test kits are not cheap.
I think I will try to maintain current level. If you guys think it is ok then I'm fine with it.
http:///forum/post/3038613
Your levels are ideal already.. any reason to get exactly 450?
I'm using the salt mix that has 450ppm. I’m just trying to match it so the tank will be stable when I do water change.
Originally Posted by spanko
http:///forum/post/3038614
IMO not too hard to attain a level, that hard part is keeping stable.
I have been adding 2 parts everyday. This hobby is fun but it is a lot of work and reading.
Originally Posted by GeoJ
http:///forum/post/3038629
Keep a log so you can see what happens when you try to change the chemistry…
I have been doing that. I use to check my water everyday for Calcium, Alkalinity and Magnesium but the changes are minimal. So now I check it every 4-5 days, besides salifert test kits are not cheap.
I think I will try to maintain current level. If you guys think it is ok then I'm fine with it.