Adding Calcium...

[Reefer2727]

My calcium level is currently just over 300 which I realize is quite low. I am using Instant Ocean salt and have switched to Reef Crystals for my next water change. I currently just have some softies but would like to get into some LPS down the road.

I am looking for an easy way to get my calcium to 400 or so. I was thinking I would dose once or twice a week. I dont want to get into any fancy dosing pumps. I just want something I can add to my sump on occasion. Is a 2 part the best way to go? I have seen some products that are all in one such as this one called One:

http://www.mops.ca/cgi-bin/SoftCart.exe/skus/wt/WTPL-ONE.asp?L+scstore+vfyb9251ffd32dd3+1262138946

This seems easy as the alkalinity and magnesium are all balanced with this product.

What would anyone advice as far as getting my calcium up a bit?

Thanks

 

[stanlalee]

the best way to get just calcium up is to add a calcium chloride product. I'd dose it daily to get it up. you'll probably never get it up dosing twice a week or you'll be adding large quantities each dose.

here are a few examples of calcium chloride based products:

bulk reef supply calcium chloride (they call it what it is)
kent liquid calcium/turbo calcium (turbo is dry)
Instant ocean calcium booster
seachem reef complete/advantage (advantage dry. both have mg/sr as well)
brightwell calcion
two litte fishes calcium concentrate
ESV calcium chloride
salifert coral calcium

you can use the calcium part of a 2 part but you'll use alot more product to raise calcium. Dont use Poly Lab ONE. the description says it contains a balanced amount of calcium AND alk sort of like kalk (plus it says mg too). that product looks like its designed to maintain levels once they are all where you want them.

 

[Reefer2727]

If I just use a product such as Reef Complete/Advantage by Seachem would I not have to also add something to keep my alkalinity balanced? I do like the fact that it has magnesium and strontium (spelling).

Would you recommend a dry or liquid product? Do you just mix the dry with RO water before adding?

I hear alot about kalkwasser and other 2 parts. Are these primarily made for dosing pump addition?

 

[Reefer2727]

Also, it did seem like that 'One' product seemed to good to be true.

For some clarification, if I just use the calcium part of a 2 part I will need to add much more to see the results? Will the alkalinity come up at all with it?

I am hesitant because I have always heard that if I was going to dose calcium that I would also need to keep my magnesium and alkalinity totally balanced along with it.

Any recommendations?

 

[stanlalee]

the ONE doesn't seem to be a bad product (I dont know) but it seems like you need to have calcium and alk in balance before you start using it to maintain those (same with kalk which has ca and alk in balanced proportions as well).

As for using the dry calcium chloride products they are more economical than using the liquids but you have to obviously mix them with water yourself so the liquids are just easier. they are the same thing though liquid products=dry+h20 in a bottle

No the calcium products wont raise or maintain alkalinity. A 2 part system to maintain alk and calcium is a good idea (as is using stand alone calcium + stand alone carbonate product such as seachem reef carbonate/kent pro buffer dKH or just plain baking soda to maintain alkalinity). With calcium being 300ppm I'd still use a dedicated calcium chloride product to raise it before starting one of the 2 part systems. the dedicated calciums are much more concentrated than the 2 part calciums. the 2 part calciums are watered down so they can be dosed in equal amounts with the alk part. stand alone calcium products have no such objectives.

 

[Reefer2727]

So perhaps I should start with a stand alone dry calcium additive along with a stand alone buffer for maintaining alkalinity. When me levels seem to be decent down the road I may consider a 2 part for maintaining.

So If I go with a Seachem Reef complete I will not have to worry about Mg or Strontium?

Thanks for the help.

 

[petemattersen]

Ive been using tropic marin bio calcium and it has been working great for me. I just mix the powder in a cup with some top off water and drizzle it into the sump.

 

[Flipper62]

I really dont like dosing anything if I dont have to. If you have changed to reef crystals....the Calcium level in it is 490. A few water changes and you Calcium level will be fine.

You need to keep up with your water changes... 10% weekly...or 20% every two weeks. If you have corals in the tank that are using up the calcium....but you dont replace the calcium.....the level will go down.

Here is a good article of the levels in the salts. By Bertoni

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1714505

 

[Reefer2727]

Perhaps I will do a few water changes with Reef Crystals before I do anything. I really only have softies right now. I have a bunch of snails but my calcium seems quite low. I wouldnt think there would be much in there sucking it up. Does the live rock use it? I have some coraline but not a tonne. The 300 ppm just seems low. My test kit is a new Salifert. I am kind of puzzled. I think I will test my new salted make up water which is Instant Ocean and see where it is at.