Calcium Question

[scubachris]

I started adding calcium due to a recomendation from my lfs. I have been dosing my tank for about a week and bought a calcium test kit today. Acording to the test kit chart the calcium level in my tank is at 220 ppm. What is a good level to be at. I currently have a few xenia and a star polyp, but wana add some nicer soft corals.

 

[sman]

If I remember right, the 450 range is right where you want to be, mine usually tests out at about 480 and ive always been told thats high, but Ive never dosed anything.

 

[natclanwy]

Calcium should be at about 420ppm but you also need to test alkilinity as the two are linked alk should be between 7-11dkh.

 

[jeanheckle]

You should never dose calcium alone, you need a 2 component buffer system like B-Ionic.

 

[scubachris]

What I bought was a two bottle set. One was calcium and the second was a alkelinidy buffer. The directions said to add them a cap full of each every 3 days. The lfs told me to bump that way up to get some calcium in the tank, as i never put any in to this point. I started off with a cap full each morning, but after 5 days there was no significant differance. Then I started to give generous squirts of both, and the calcium began to come up. I have a calcium test kit, and the calcium is at about 280 ppm now. I'll get a alk test kit monday. As for the Iron I was also told to add half a cap once a week. I believe this might be the reason my lr is starting to bleach. as I know i have more than enough light, and all my other tests are right where they should be.
Any suggestions?

 

[deejeff442]

unless you have alot of coral.your new saltwater should contain calcium.
are you doing regular water changes?
if you are test the new saltwater for calcium if it is low you need to get a better salt mix.i dont add calcium and it tests at 500.
i try to do a 20% water change weekly
with regular water changes all the tests should come back good.
just as long as the tank is cycled and not overloaded.

 

[bang guy]

Originally Posted by scubachris
http:///forum/post/2831917
Any suggestions?

A Calcium level that low indicates a severe imbalance in your water parameters.
You can add a bunch of stuff, test regularly and get it back in balance in a month or two, or you can do a 80% water change and get things back on track within a week.
Make sure you have an ALK test...

 

[scubachris]

I buy my saltwater already mixed from the lfs. The tank is 2 1/2 months old, and fully cycled.
My pH is 8.2
nitrate 0
Nitrite .5
ammonia 0
calcium around 280
The tank is 29g. I have 2 clowns, 6 snails, 1 emerald crab, and a banded coral shrimp
about 30-35 lb of lr.
Dont think its overloaded.
If I do such a large water change, wont the tank need to cycle again?

 

[notsonoob]

I would test again first.
Historically I found I have to add about 100 to the end result to get an actual number for calcium levels seachem especially.
2nd, ensure that you also are adding enough magnesium suppliment as well as strontium as those suppliments work in conjunction with calcium absorbtion for your corals.
If you are adding buffer and calcium, flip/flop the days. If the two mix on the same day, you may just wind up precipitating the calcium.

 

[scubachris]

ok well just checked it again and the calcium was at 260. As for the calcium and buffer, would an alk buffer cause the calcium to percip out? Also do I need to add all these different additives seperatly, or is there a good all in one source?

 

[notsonoob]

I would think that you are probably at 360 as 350 is average for seawater. I used to test low too until somebody advised me that my test kit usually was 100 low when checked versus others.
You can buy seachem calcium+magesium+strontium suppliment, however, most people will advise you not to add unless you test an need it.
If you use soft water, then magnesium will be stripped out with calcium. I usually add some magnesium suppliment with top-off water about every 4th time, which about is equal to once a week to week and a half as I use a kalkwasser drip, which lowers your magnesium levels. Some people use Epsom salt, which is magnesium sulfate. Too much may risk elevated sulfate levels, but you would have to add it by large amounts for that. I use seachem magnesium.
You should be somewhere around 400-450 depending upon how many corals you have. Hard corals need more attention and higher rates than some soft corals.

 

[notsonoob]

Originally Posted by scubachris
http:///forum/post/2832067
ok well just checked it again and the calcium was at 260. As for the calcium and buffer, would an alk buffer cause the calcium to percip out? Also do I need to add all these different additives seperatly, or is there a good all in one source?
In my noobness days, I added buffer, then really wasn't thinking and added calcium. Then I watched the calcium preip out and flake to the bottom of the depths of my reef.....then I read the instructions.....

where it said do not add with buffer on the same day.

 

[scubachris]

Well right now I have a xenia and a star polyp along with a single lonley mushroom. They seem fine, but my lr seems to be bleaching.

 

[bang guy]

Originally Posted by scubachris
http:///forum/post/2832029
I buy my saltwater already mixed from the lfs. The tank is 2 1/2 months old, and fully cycled.
My pH is 8.2
nitrate 0
Nitrite .5
ammonia 0
calcium around 280
The tank is 29g. I have 2 clowns, 6 snails, 1 emerald crab, and a banded coral shrimp
about 30-35 lb of lr.
Dont think its overloaded.
If I do such a large water change, wont the tank need to cycle again?
No waterchange would affect your filtration, not even 100% as long as it's good water (salinity, temp, Ca, ALK, etc.)
I'm beginning to wonder... maybe you should also test the saltwater you buy from your LFS before adding it to your tank.
If you want a reef tank, you really need an ALK test.
You're not overloaded at all

but your Nitrite reading indicates a problem with your biologic filtration.

 

[natclanwy]

If your test kit is new and 100ppm off then I would contact the manufacturer and ask for a new test kit. Your test kit should be within 20ppm not 100ppm Seachem lists their accuracy as 5ppm.
Kalkwasser will add both alk and calcium but you need to test both to see where you are at. If If both are low you can add kalkwasser to bring them both up, if your alk is normal then you will have to add the calcium supplement until you get it equalized then you can use kalkwasser to maintain their levels.

 

[meowzer]

I have a calcium test kit made by Nutrafin...mine tests 400...is this a reliable brand of test kit?
I am currently looking into buying an alk test kit.

 

[scubachris]

one of the above posts questioned the water from the lfs. I went and checked what I had left from my last visit and it tested at 500ppm (25 drops). So i did a water change I only had about 5 gallons and my tank is 29. I'll get more water, and do another change in a few days, but at this point anything has to help.

 

[scubachris]

All my test kits are API. Is that a good brand?

 

[natclanwy]

I have had good luck with API, I have never used nutrifin though.

 

[stanlalee]

Originally Posted by scubachris
http:///forum/post/2832204
one of the above posts questioned the water from the lfs. I went and checked what I had left from my last visit and it tested at 500ppm (25 drops). So i did a water change I only had about 5 gallons and my tank is 29. I'll get more water, and do another change in a few days, but at this point anything has to help.
your not going to put a dent in it doing 5g water changes. like suggested do a large change with that water (like 75%). If you cant do that you'll have to dose your way up. its going to take a while dosing it back to spec (most usually have a maximum daily dose).