whats your calcium and alk level at?
- Thread starter bullitr
- Start date
trippkid
Active Member
CA-450
Alk- 3.25 mEq/L or 9.1 DKH
I used to have my Alk at about 4.5 mEq/L, that was too high, have brought it down to this level over the course of a month, I don't like to see more than a .25 drop in alk per day, this is just me of course, I wouldn't adjust it too quickly though.
Matt
Alk- 3.25 mEq/L or 9.1 DKH
I used to have my Alk at about 4.5 mEq/L, that was too high, have brought it down to this level over the course of a month, I don't like to see more than a .25 drop in alk per day, this is just me of course, I wouldn't adjust it too quickly though.
Matt
perfectdark
Active Member
Mine is a constant 450ppm for calc, and 3.5meq/l for alk. Rarley does it sway but I do weekly water changes so I am sure that keeps it in check.
perfectdark
Active Member
Originally Posted by SH2000
Alk at 3-4.5meq/l=what DKH ?
is 4meq/l to high for a 80 Gal. Reef Tank ?
PH-8.2
Calcium is 450
Nitrates are 10 PPM (getting some clams today)No need they will prob die in a short time anyway and could lead to a higher nitrate level.
Nitrites are 0
Ammonia is 0
Salinity-1.026
Temp=78F
Your Nitrates are in a completley acceptable range...Everything looks good IMO.
Meq/L X 2.8= DKH
Alk at 3-4.5meq/l=what DKH ?
is 4meq/l to high for a 80 Gal. Reef Tank ?
PH-8.2
Calcium is 450
Nitrates are 10 PPM (getting some clams today)No need they will prob die in a short time anyway and could lead to a higher nitrate level.
Nitrites are 0
Ammonia is 0
Salinity-1.026
Temp=78F
Your Nitrates are in a completley acceptable range...Everything looks good IMO.
Meq/L X 2.8= DKH
topfins-mj
Member
I am curious as to what salt you people use since my levels drop within 5 days without dosing. My salt does not even test calcium at 450. Mine is consistent at 400. I like it more at 420-440 so I have to dose once a week.
perfectdark
Active Member
Originally Posted by TopFins-MJ
I am curious as to what salt you people use since my levels drop within 5 days without dosing. My salt does not even test calcium at 450. Mine is consistent at 400. I like it more at 420-440 so I have to dose once a week.
Then you should definatly test for magnesium if you dose calc. I use Oceanic brand salt and for me I have never had to dose anything. MY alk and calc are spot on between 420 and 450 alk 3.5 meq/l
I am curious as to what salt you people use since my levels drop within 5 days without dosing. My salt does not even test calcium at 450. Mine is consistent at 400. I like it more at 420-440 so I have to dose once a week.
Then you should definatly test for magnesium if you dose calc. I use Oceanic brand salt and for me I have never had to dose anything. MY alk and calc are spot on between 420 and 450 alk 3.5 meq/l
bang guy
Moderator
Originally Posted by TopFins-MJ
I am curious as to what salt you people use since my levels drop within 5 days without dosing. My salt does not even test calcium at 450. Mine is consistent at 400. I like it more at 420-440 so I have to dose once a week.
I drip Limewater 24/7 and maintain a constant 420ppm Ca and alk at 3.5Meq/L.
I am curious as to what salt you people use since my levels drop within 5 days without dosing. My salt does not even test calcium at 450. Mine is consistent at 400. I like it more at 420-440 so I have to dose once a week.
I drip Limewater 24/7 and maintain a constant 420ppm Ca and alk at 3.5Meq/L.
sh2000
Member
Originally Posted by PerfectDark
Your Nitrates are in a completley acceptable range...Everything looks good IMO.
Meq/L X 2.8= DKH
I'm confused, I thought Derasa Clams would eat up Nitrates ? Besdies for being very pretty. I'm glad I didint go to the LFS yet. I'm expecting the Nitrates to go back to 0 as I'm getting ready to do a 20 % water change as i do it every 3/4 weeks.
Your Nitrates are in a completley acceptable range...Everything looks good IMO.
Meq/L X 2.8= DKH
I'm confused, I thought Derasa Clams would eat up Nitrates ? Besdies for being very pretty. I'm glad I didint go to the LFS yet. I'm expecting the Nitrates to go back to 0 as I'm getting ready to do a 20 % water change as i do it every 3/4 weeks.
kirkland
Member
Originally Posted by PerfectDark
Then you should definatly test for magnesium if you dose calc. I use Oceanic brand salt and for me I have never had to dose anything. MY alk and calc are spot on between 420 and 450 alk 3.5 meq/l
just curious: how does magnesium affect calcium? i dose for calc but don't have a magnesium test. if the magnesium is low or high, how does that affect calc?
Then you should definatly test for magnesium if you dose calc. I use Oceanic brand salt and for me I have never had to dose anything. MY alk and calc are spot on between 420 and 450 alk 3.5 meq/l
just curious: how does magnesium affect calcium? i dose for calc but don't have a magnesium test. if the magnesium is low or high, how does that affect calc?
topfins-mj
Member
Hmm I have no magnesium test kit. Anyone recommend one?
bang guy
Moderator
Originally Posted by kirkland
just curious: how does magnesium affect calcium? i dose for calc but don't have a magnesium test. if the magnesium is low or high, how does that affect calc?
Magnesium prevents Carbonate from precipitating with Calcium. Calcium above 300ppm is supersaturated at normal reef temperatures and will precipitate out of solution is Magnesium is too low.
Magnesium too high will cause reef animals to become sluggish.
just curious: how does magnesium affect calcium? i dose for calc but don't have a magnesium test. if the magnesium is low or high, how does that affect calc?
Magnesium prevents Carbonate from precipitating with Calcium. Calcium above 300ppm is supersaturated at normal reef temperatures and will precipitate out of solution is Magnesium is too low.
Magnesium too high will cause reef animals to become sluggish.
perfectdark
Active Member
Originally Posted by kirkland
just curious: how does magnesium affect calcium? i dose for calc but don't have a magnesium test. if the magnesium is low or high, how does that affect calc?
When you dose your dosing calcium chloride, when it enters your water calcium searches out carbonates to bond with. Once that happens its useless to your corals. Corals need to extract calcium and carbonates and bond them on their own. Magnesium prevents the premature bonding making the calc you are dosing usable.
just curious: how does magnesium affect calcium? i dose for calc but don't have a magnesium test. if the magnesium is low or high, how does that affect calc?
When you dose your dosing calcium chloride, when it enters your water calcium searches out carbonates to bond with. Once that happens its useless to your corals. Corals need to extract calcium and carbonates and bond them on their own. Magnesium prevents the premature bonding making the calc you are dosing usable.
perfectdark
Active Member
Originally Posted by SH2000
I'm confused, I thought Derasa Clams would eat up Nitrates ? Besdies for being very pretty. I'm glad I didint go to the LFS yet. I'm expecting the Nitrates to go back to 0 as I'm getting ready to do a 20 % water change as i do it every 3/4 weeks.
Ahhh diff clam that I thought you were talking about. Im sure they use their share of trates weather or not it will be noticable isnt a sure thing. I thought you were talking about cleaner clams...
I'm confused, I thought Derasa Clams would eat up Nitrates ? Besdies for being very pretty. I'm glad I didint go to the LFS yet. I'm expecting the Nitrates to go back to 0 as I'm getting ready to do a 20 % water change as i do it every 3/4 weeks.
Ahhh diff clam that I thought you were talking about. Im sure they use their share of trates weather or not it will be noticable isnt a sure thing. I thought you were talking about cleaner clams...
sh2000
Member
I Have 2 cleaner clams burried somewhere in my 4 inch sandbed. I haven't noticed them in months. They might come out at night or they might be dead? I was considering a Derasa, and or maybe Crocea...very pretty clams, but quite pricey 
.
Perhaps to add some color to the DT and eat up some Ammonia and Nitrates..? Or help with the load.
. Perhaps to add some color to the DT and eat up some Ammonia and Nitrates..? Or help with the load.
perfectdark
Active Member
Originally Posted by SH2000
I Have 2 cleaner clams burried somewhere in my 4 inch sandbed. I haven't noticed them in months. They might come out at night or they might be dead? I was considering a Derasa, and or maybe Crocea...very pretty clams, but quite pricey.
Perhaps to add some color to the DT and eat up some Ammonia and Nitrates..? Or help with the load.
Im not sure of their benificial qualities but they do require intense lighting especially the Crocea.
I Have 2 cleaner clams burried somewhere in my 4 inch sandbed. I haven't noticed them in months. They might come out at night or they might be dead? I was considering a Derasa, and or maybe Crocea...very pretty clams, but quite pricey
. Perhaps to add some color to the DT and eat up some Ammonia and Nitrates..? Or help with the load.
Im not sure of their benificial qualities but they do require intense lighting especially the Crocea.
big
Active Member
Not to steal the thread ,but Guy ( if you are still reading this thread,) you where speaking about Magnesium issues. I have noticed my last batch of salt and PC's have had a lower than normal Magnesium level. Lets blame the salt!!! LOL ....Would this also have an adverse effect on holding a stable PH???? Which I have had just of late???
I know what the charts say for Magnesium.... where do you all think the level for it should be???
I know what the charts say for Magnesium.... where do you all think the level for it should be???