raising calcium level

[coz diver]

Current tank readings:
Cal: 300
ph: 8.2
dkh: 8.4
I have been using bionic for the last two days at the recommended dose but have seen no differences. Do I keep using equal doses? Do I first try to raise the calcium by using an item such as Kent Liquid Calcium? Any info would be greatly appreciated.

 

[zanemoseley]

you have to dose everday and it will take a while to raise it, At one point I was dosing almost a ml a gallon of each part, now that I got it raised to 425 calcium and 9 dkh I dose 1 ml for every 4 gallons and I dose about 1.5 gallons of kalk a day

 

[bdhough]

a strong product that works in my book is powder based calcium. i've tried kents liquid calcium and it didn't do jack for me. then switched to the powder seachem turbo calcium and my calcium went up finally. i would try a powder calcium...

 

[beaslbob]

my calcium rose from 250-300 to 400 ppm when I added crushed oyster shells to my diy filter box. Another similiar tank remained the same. the filter box moves all the water through the shells.

 

[krowleey]

Kents Turbo Calcium will raise it fast. have you tested your Magnesium level? also dripping kalk after you have all your levels stable will keep them good once you got it stablized

 

[dburr]

Don't raise anything in your tank fast.

300 is low, but not critical. B-ionic will take time. Not too long, check it in a couple weeks. You could also add a clacium additive with it. But I would suggest doing about a 1/4 dose of what is recommended on the bottle.
Dan

 

[coz diver]

Thanks everyone. I made a typo in my initial message. Calcium is at 350ppm. I will keep with the bionic for a couple of weeks at the recommended level and see if my levels raise. I'll keep everyone posted. Thanks again for the responses!

 

[nm reef]

Originally posted by beaslbob
my calcium rose from 250-300 to 400 ppm when I added crushed oyster shells to my diy filter box. Another similiar tank remained the same. the filter box moves all the water through the shells.
According to information I have seen this is simply not likely! In order for "crushed oyster shells" to have any effect on elevating calcium levels there would have to be much more going on than simply running water over the product. I suspect there may have been an initial increase from the residue and/or powder...I also suspect mis-represented results...and I'd question the actual test results.
I'd think adding oyster shells to a filter box and running water over them could be something any hobbyists could do...but I highly doubt that it is a effective means of increasing calcium levels.
A much more effective means would be directly adding products designed to elevate levels of calcium and alkalinity...combined with a laymans knowledge of the interaction of calcium/alkalinity/PH ...there are several products available that are relatively easy to use...I've had success with Seachem products but there are others. Or there are high tech applications like reactors that are very effective. I'd continue to reseach the topic and avoid mis-represented miricle claims myself. But then thats just me!!!:happyfish

 

[neowind]

The most effiecent way to keep your calcium at at correct levels is to drip Kalk. It will keep your calcium and your alk at the right levels. It is soooooooo easy to setup a drip system i did my for $2.56. Can't beat that.

 

[ackermsb]

Neowind or anyone else,
Can you elaborate on how you setup your drip method for 2.56. I would like to start dripping but am not sure of the proper methods. thanks

 

[zanemoseley]

if I were you I'd just spend the $25 and get the 5 gallon Aquadose by Kent, it comes with all you need to drip except the kalk, I have one myself and it not the best way to drip kalk but is the best unless you want a pump

 

[donmgicwon]

I increased my dosing of Kent liquid calcium from 1 cap to 2 caps a day and in 1 week I went from 400 to 450. I have excellent coralline growth too. Now I know my test kit might not be perfect but it still showed an improvement.

 

[kahnsell]

It sounds like you are on the right track. If you decide to start dripping kalk, I would do the autodoser method. The float-switch pumps can dump a lot of kalk into the system at the same time, which would lead to a ph spike and would harm your tank.