Hi. I had posted on new to hobby forum, but was recommended to this forum. I have an Oceanic 55 plus for 2 yrs with 5 fish (small mostly), crabs, snails, shrooms, toad stool, and various polyps. I have become neglectful for many months after starting a new job.(I know,very bad) I have a bad hair algae problem which is due too much nutrients. So, my main problem is that my calcium is only 160!!! and my Alk is 9-10 (pH 8.2) My tank also has Halimeda growing which I am sure is depleting my Ca. I have C- Balance that I haven't used, but now that it's out of balance, I can't use both parts. I top off tank with DI water with Kent super DKH. Members on prevoius forum gave me several web sites to check out, including a calculator. According to the calculator, I can use Part A of C-Balance to increase my Ca from 160 to 350 with about 1400 ml, which above and beyond the recomm. daily dose. Another member then recomm. to calculate the amount required to raise the Ca by 25 ppm, which is about 162ml. If I divide the dose into 3rds, then I could safely add to tank over 3 days. My question, which then led here is, what is the area on the calculator that states Balanced Alk is -8.76 meq/L at 185 ppm of Ca (this # is my 160 plus 25 ppm increase)? This value appears after the calculation of needed Ca. Sorry so long. If you can please give some recomm. I would greatly appreciate it. Oh, I use IO which for some reason, mixes with a Ca level of 260, so I am considering changing to Tropic Marin Pro Reef. Thanks.
Alk/calcium balance
- Thread starter crocdoc
- Start date
which above and beyond the recomm. daily dose.
That's OK. That dose is for maintaining levels, not raising them. Add all that you need over about 3 days to boost to about 420 ppm.
Forget balance issues. Independently target calcium to 380-450 ppm and alkalinity to 2.5-4 meq/L (7-11 dKH).
Oh, I use IO which for some reason, mixes with a Ca level of 260
That is abnormal. Either your kit is off, the salinity is way too low, or you got a bad batch. IO is usually more like 360 ppm calcium.
That's OK. That dose is for maintaining levels, not raising them. Add all that you need over about 3 days to boost to about 420 ppm.
Forget balance issues. Independently target calcium to 380-450 ppm and alkalinity to 2.5-4 meq/L (7-11 dKH).
Oh, I use IO which for some reason, mixes with a Ca level of 260
That is abnormal. Either your kit is off, the salinity is way too low, or you got a bad batch. IO is usually more like 360 ppm calcium.
So let me make sure I understand. The amt the calculator gave me was 1140ml of Part A of C-balance to raise my Ca from 160 to 350.I should give 1/3 the amt for the next 3 days, monitoring Ca level. Should I also be monitoring the alkalinity and pH, or are the effects minimal? After getting my Ca at appropriate level, should I use the C-balance both parts as per bottle directions? Once I start maint. with C-Balance( if you think that will be sufficient) can I use the Seachem product Reef Calcium (Ca gluconate) to boost my coralline algae growth with the C-Balance? Thanks
The amt the calculator gave me was 1140ml of Part A of C-balance to raise my Ca from 160 to 350.I should give 1/3 the amt for the next 3 days, monitoring Ca level.
yes.
Should I also be monitoring the alkalinity and pH, or are the effects minimal?
Minimal, but it can't hurt to monitor.
After getting my Ca at appropriate level, should I use the C-balance both parts as per bottle directions?
Use equal parts, dosing to maintain alkalinity. Calcium will follow along.
Once I start maint. with C-Balance( if you think that will be sufficient) can I use the Seachem product Reef Calcium (Ca gluconate) to boost my coralline algae growth with the C-Balance?
I wouldn't, and I doubt it would benefit coralline particularly.
yes.
Should I also be monitoring the alkalinity and pH, or are the effects minimal?
Minimal, but it can't hurt to monitor.
After getting my Ca at appropriate level, should I use the C-balance both parts as per bottle directions?
Use equal parts, dosing to maintain alkalinity. Calcium will follow along.
Once I start maint. with C-Balance( if you think that will be sufficient) can I use the Seachem product Reef Calcium (Ca gluconate) to boost my coralline algae growth with the C-Balance?
I wouldn't, and I doubt it would benefit coralline particularly.
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