Calcium problems

[reef dude]

Ok first of all im not sure if im doing my calcium test correctly. Its the red sea calcium test that uses the titration method. now heres the trick, when i slowly add the drops of reagent to the vial, should i be gently shaking the vial as i add the drops or do i hold the vial completely still?
The first time i added the reagent i shook the vial as i added, and very quickly the color changed(350 ppm) about 2-3 months later i started adding liquid calcium and then stopped after about 5 days and started dosing kalkwasser. Now i measured calcium and when i dripped the reagent, i shook the vial and it turned to the end color very quickly. I decided to do the test again, this time i kept the vial very still as i added and i could see a distinct line of colors(one was the start color and one was the end color) the end color kept pushing down on the start color and after about 2 ml added of reagent, i finally reached the end color, but the reading was 500+ ppm!!! any ideas????

 

[bang guy]

You need to shake the vial after each drop. If the color stays at the end color then you have your reading.

 

[reef dude]

well if thats the case, my calcium is at like 350 ppm and i have been using liquid calcium and kalkwasser for the past 2 weeks and no change??@?@?!??!

 

[bang guy]

What is your ALK reading? If it's really high you're not going to be able to raise Calcium.

 

[hattrick58]

I have a similar problem. Calcium-195 mg/ltr, KH 170 mg/ltr and alkalinity 9 mg/ltr. I have my Kalkwasser, but I need to lower my alkalinity before I start dosing. How do I do that? I've done 2 25% water changes in the past week. The water I use is R/O. I'd appreciate any help.

 

[iechy]

I have that same test kit and I hate it. I test calcium everyday almost just yo use it up so I won't feel like I wasted money when I but a new one. I really really don't like that kit. But yes you do need to shake it while you do it.

 

[reef dude]

umm guys....I dont even have a test kit for ALK....what is ALK???? i feel like an idiot now.......if i have high alk how come calcium wont be able to be added?

 

[newreefers]

You really should get a test kit for alk. Unless you want to run to the lfs all the time you should get a test kit for each of the tests that the lfs runs for you, I test the following - ph, calcium, alk, mag, ammonia, trites, trates, & salinity. Don't bother with cheap kits- just a waste of money (know this from experience) they will give you false readings. Get out the visa and go shopping.

 

[hattrick58]

I agree but testing the water wont do you any good if you don't know how to correct the problem. So I ask again: How do I bring the alkalinity down?

 

[bang guy]

Originally posted by reef dude
umm guys....I dont even have a test kit for ALK....what is ALK???? i feel like an idiot now.......if i have high alk how come calcium wont be able to be added?
Hey dude,
Don't feel bad. How would you know?? I can recommend a good book if you're interested.
For now a summary of ALK which is very similar to Carbonate Hardness (kH). ALK is a measure of the buffering capacity of your water, ie. it's ability to maintain a steady PH. Carbonate will be the primary buffer but there are other significant compounds.
What happens when ALK is too high? I really high level of Carbonate is unstable, there's more in there than the water can hold. As a result it will combine with Calcium and precipitate as Calcium carbonate. This drastically lowers the calcium level. When you add more calcium, it just precipitates. Meanwhile the PH is bouncing up and down stressing your critters.
Hattrick - To lower your ALK simply stop all buffer additives and do a water change.

 

[reef dude]

ok thanks bang guy, what are the normal ALk levels considered?? and will they keep increasing after water changes? or just eventually disipate?

 

[bang guy]

I *try* to keep Ca at 420 and ALK at 2.5.
I have a lot of water volume in relation to the number of coral so that works fine for me. For most I would recomment trying to maintain Ca at 440 and ALK at 3.0. That way if a clam or coral go on a growth spurt there's still some Carbonate in reserve.
I consider it to be important to keep Ca in balance with ALK. High Ca needs High ALK IMO.