Calcium booster.

[zshain012]

Im thinking about getting a hammer today so I need to test for Calc. and get some calc booster because I heard that hammers have a skeleton so they need calc.
so what is the best test kit and boosters out there?
thank you

 

[bang guy]

Yes, you should test the Calcium level to determine if you need to change water or dose Calcium. Alkalinity is even more important so don't forget that test either.
Any Calcium chloride supplement will work just fine to increase Calcium, there are plenty on the market. More is not better so don't overdose. I use limewater to maintain both Calcium and Alkalinity. When I need to only increase Calcium I use pure Calcium chloride. To raise Alkalinity only I use baking soda.

 

[zshain012]

thanks bang guy. Oh, I test for alk.
here are my results:
Nitrite-20
Nitrate-0
Alk.-300
ph-8.0
amm-0
is that ok?
oh, and I think the nitrite raised because one of my snails had died recently and I just took him out yesterday. stunk so bad!!!!lol

 

[veni vidi vici]

Nitrite @20ppm................Are you sure thats not what killed your snail rather then a result of?

 

[bang guy]

Your ALK is way too high in my opinion. This will make it difficult to maintain an appropriate Calcium level.

 

[nereef]

that is too high. are you adding a pH upper?

 

[zshain012]

Originally Posted by NEreef
http:///forum/post/2856733
that is too high. are you adding a pH upper?
no, I'm not using a ph upper. I think it might just be the innacuracy of the test strips. Idk. How would I lower the alk.?

 

[bang guy]

Originally Posted by ZShain012
http:///forum/post/2856735
no, I'm not using a ph upper. I think it might just be the innacuracy of the test strips. Idk. How would I lower the alk.?
If you're not sure if your test is accurate then a large water change is the best way.

 

[zshain012]

ok, thanks. I've done like 3 water changes this week, so hopefully it's helping out.

 

[zshain012]

I think alk is measured differently on these strips. Because it says 300 but it says this is the ideal color or measurement.

 

[bang guy]

Originally Posted by ZShain012
http:///forum/post/2856816
I think alk is measured differently on these strips. Because it says 300 but it says this is the ideal color or measurement.

OK, I guess I need to know what the 300 represents then. I was thinking PPM. Perhaps it represents 3.00Meq/L which would be a good level.