Help on getting CA up?

[hellspawn2]

i have a 85g 70lbs lr,6" dsb with ls,wet/dry,402 powerhead. Just finished cycling but can't get the ca to raise? my last readings as of yesterday was ca= 200 ph=8.2,amonia=0.0,trites & trates=0.0 i set the tank up using instant ocean tap water per the lfs which is 2 blocks from me and uses the same water. i have been keeping ph in check with ph buffer maybe once week and have been putting in daily tech cb around 40ml per day and i can't figure out why it won't raise should i add more additives?
thanks hellspawn2

 

[deuce_bigalo]

What are your phosphates ?
Do you have fish in the tank yet?
The reason I ask about phosphates is that I think it is hard to raise your calcium if your phosphates are high.

 

[hellspawn2]

thanks for the reply i don't have anything to test that with look like a trip to lfs but i do still have a lot of brown algae from cycling could that be it?

 

[deuce_bigalo]

I do not know about the brown algae.
If you get a phosphate kit mix your water the same way you do now. Before you put it in your tank test it for phosphates. If you they are high before you put it in your tank then that is your problem.

 

[nm reef]

I've found that there isn't any successful way to rapidly raise calcium levels...I use seachem products myself...and whats worked for me is to use a regular system of adding seachem reef builder/advantage/buffer...I've found that all 3(calcium/alkalinity/ph) need to be in balance...one out of wack will adversely effect the others...also insure the accuracy of your test kit...maybe have the lfs run a sample and compare results...
on a side note...I've never heard of phosphates affecting calcium levels....

 

[broomer5]

What's your alkalinity ?
Some of the balanced products like TechCB are great for maintaining your alk and calcium levels, but do not raise it.
I like Seachem's Reef Complete for raising calcium levels. I half dose most all additives per the label, and test often.
Tracking the quantities and levels each time, logging in a book will begin to tell the story.
NM reef's got it figured out. You really must test all 3 variables and find the balance that works for your system.

 

[deuce_bigalo]

I was having a simular problem when I first got my tank. All my test seemed to be fine (except calcium) and I didn't know to test phosphates.
I was dumping calcium in my tank and my level would not go up. LFS sayd to check phosphates, he said if way up you will never get calcium up.
Tested Phos. (they were up) put in phoogaurd phos. went down and calcium went up.
Maybe it was a coincidense ?
and Hellspawn2 sorry if I led you in the wrong direction but you need a phosphate test kit anyway <img src="graemlins//confused.gif" border="0" alt="[confused]" />

 

[hellspawn2]

ok got my phos test here are readings as of last night monia=0,trite&trates=0,ph=8.2,ca=200,phos=.2
any ideas? i just bought some liquid ca should i double the dose?

 

[cyn]

I dose kalsawater nightly and maintain my CA at 450 with out any other additives. I have also never heard of Phos. keeping Ca. down, not in the reef or the body... Hmm.. Gonna look into that.
Alk does affect the ability of the water to dissolve CA, posting that may help.
Good Luck!
cyn

 

[q]

I was using the seachem reef advantage but I was having to dump in too much to make any difference in my 75 so I started using Kent Turbo Calcium. I dosed 1/4 tps in the morning and evening. I took a week or so. I also stoped adding my alk buffer too. I was testing the calcium and alk often to make sure I didn't get out of line. The dosage of the calcium can be changed to suit your own tank though.