My alk is

[shnabbles]

9.8 is that hi or low or just right?
my calcium is slowly climbing its up to 350
its so low because i went from using oceanic and having calcium around 600ppm to using instant ocean which has a notoriously low calcium... iv started buffering for calcium and dripping kalk at night which will hopefully make the calcium climb right? since kalk is just calcium cholride?

 

[hurt]

Nope, Kalk is calcium hydroxide. It is both Ca and Carbonate. Once your levels are in there proper range, you should not have to add a buffer. That is once your Ca and Alk are in balance, you should be able to add Kalk H2O just at the same levels it is being used up in your system without adding any buffers. I believe Kalk has a 1:2 ratio of Calcium to Carbonate which is the same ratio they are used up by corals.

 

[shnabbles]

calcium hydroxide... thats what i meant..
was my ALk Ok?
If I add kalk now will it raise my calcium? or should i continue to buffer and not add kalk untill it is at its desired amount?

 

[reefnut]

calcium hydroxide= alkalinity and calcium
calcium chloride= calcium
What are you using for "buffering for calcium"?? The term buffer refers to adding alkalinity to stabilize the PH.
Your alkalinity is fine... as you know the calcium is low. Use calcium chloride (Kent Turbo Calcium or equivalent) to bring your calcium back up. After you get the calcium up and balanced with the alkalinity, use the kalk to maintain both the alkalinity and calcium.

 

[shnabbles]

Reefnut thanks for the info bro!