How to keep calcium levels up!!

[thomas712]

Originally posted by islandgirl
Man, that Eclipse tank sure isn't user friendly!
Thats what I hear about the eclipse tanks to, ok for fresh water, but not that great for salt. Money is money and they don't care what you use it for. Make it into a beer dispensor and use it at partys.
I have found Turbo calcium a bit difficult to work with, often times adding to much or to little. If you add to much calcium and or alkalinity and your mag isn't up to par then you can wind up with it falling out of solution, this can cause problems with build up on your pumps and having them reduce there efficiantcy or having them sieze on you. Happend 3 times to me.
Most will add calcium and a buffer (alk) seperatly. The two part liquid additives like B-ionic have found a good balance and work well.
Kalkwasser adds a balanced dose of each, but is mainly used to keep calcium in place, for me I still need to add maintanance doses of the liquid, but overall kalk has been very good to me.
Kalkwasser does not raise calcium but helps to maintain it. You will still benifit from having the Turbo cal if you find your system is using more thant he kalk can maintain, or you can bump up your kalk strength to 2 teas per gallon made.
Thomas

 

[islandgirl]

So do you add directly to your tank or in a sump? With my eclipse I would have to "rig" a sump type if that were my only choice but currently I'm mixing with freshwater and adding directly. With adding the Turbo like I've been these past couple of days my tank is a little out of whack and now probably needs balancing out. I will get a test kit for alk and mag but in the mean time....should I discontinue using the cal or add the kalk instead?

 

[thomas712]

1st I would cover your sins by doing a water change. I think you know that as I just read your other thread.
2nd if you are going to continue the use of Turbo Calcium, and this is just my opinon, NEVER add it directily to the sump where a return pump can suck it right up, this could lead the the calcium buildup inside the pump that I was talking about. Instead I would add it or drip it (better) over time in a high flow area so that it mixes with your tank water before it reaches your return pump. This can be done in the main tank near a power head, which is easyer to clean and remove if something happens to it without having to turn off the system.
3rd (I dont remember if you posted these) but give us the test scores of Alk, Cal, and Mag. So we know where you are now.
Think about this when adding alk, and cal if you are just pouring it into the system when made from a powder. Right where you pour it there is a drastic change in the water until it can dissperse into the water colum. If a fish or coral is in the path of that addition of liquid then they are going to react to it. Sortof like if you were to walk from the fresh air into a saloon/car repair place, your lungs would react to that atmosphere, or from the north pole to Florida all of the sudden you would start to sweat. Thats kinda how I look at it. The short of it is dripping IMO,IME is better. It is more of a relaxed change as opposed to sudden.
You may disscontinue the additives and do the water change and this will help, but try the LFS for a few test scores to find out where you are.
Thomas

 

[islandgirl]

Thomas...I think you are definately right...I have sinned and I will try a drip method (once I can figure out how and where in my tank it would fit), do a major water change and take a water sample to my lfs to test all levels then go from there.

 

[stillfrodo]

Island IMO I agree with Thomas check your mag levels first. If you are having a hard time maintaining your calcium levels its more then likely oyur mg is low. Buy a Mg test and test for that you may have to dose for it. Watch raising your calcium to fast it will drop your alk, Check for a post that Broomer did on the relationship between the 2 was very well explained and in laymans terms. Meanwhile check mg level. If alk is to high and calcium to low bring mg levels up and only dose with the calcium ionic or part b for a while till levels come into proper range.

 

[i like fish]

007, I use exactly 60 mil's of part a and b daily and my levels are always where I want them. I only check ca and alk once a month now.

 

[islandgirl]

Well I guess I'll be taking a water sample to my lfs store today and I'll get them to check ALL my water parameters. Then, I'll figure out what to do next...I hope!