liquid calcium

[bryce.martin23]

checked my calcium level in my tank the other day and it was around 380 ppm, ive read that the levels should be at least 400 to 450ppm so i went to the lfs and bought the kent marine liquid calcium and was wondering if i need to watch for any side effects when using this product, such as ph drop, and things of that nature. Or would a healty water change with some pre mixed ocean water be a better alternative. Thanks

 

[stanlalee]

its calcium chloride which is good. Bringing calcium up to 400-420 with it wont be harmful at all. at some point you could probably add too much chloride theoretically but calcium chloride is the most common additive used to raise calcium.

 

[ryancw01]

The brand and the additive is fine. If there is a powder option buy that next time though. The powder calcium additive lasts a lot longer than the liquid. You just have to mix it yourself with RO/DI water.

 

[oceansidefish]

380 really is fine unless you have SPS...IMO the most important thing is consistancy in your levels...If you bring it up you should stick with it.

 

[bryce.martin23]

as far as growth though, if my levels are continuosly at 380 will corals be able to thrive. What i have in my tank is a couple of large montiporas, whole lot of green star polyps, lots of zoas, mushrooms, rics, and planing on some clams and torch corals in the near future. Do i even need calcium supplement in this case, im starting to use the pre mixed ocean water instead of salt mixes to expeiriment, would the ocean water add the calcium to the tank naturally?

 

[stanlalee]

ocean water has a calcium concentration of 410ppm so its lower than most reef geared synthetic so no its not going to prevent dosing. 380ppm is fine if you are going to maintain it. what do you mean by "pre mixed ocean water". If its ocean water there should be no mixing

just collecting and possibly filtering. yes you will need and should be using a calcium supplement with the corals you've listed. If they are growing and healthy you will certainly go thru that bottle of calcium. every reefer eventually ends up either dosing 2 part (calcium and carbonate supplements), investing in a calcium reactor or mixing kalk in top off water(this usually wont provide enough for a well stocked hard coral tank but is often supplemental). you might as well pick up kent pro buffer dKH (if you want to stick with kent) because you'll be using up alk (carbonates) faster than you will calcium. make sure you keep test and keep dKH somewhere between 8-11 using a buffer (carbonate/bicarbonate) supplement.