Another Calcium/dKH thread.

[rjsilvers]

I've read the FAQs, I've used the calculators... Sorry I'm if there's a million threads on this subject, but I tried to find the answers myself.

I have a 6 month old 30g tank with nothing but live rock and two false perculas.

My dkH is 125 and my calcium is 280.

From everything I've read I need to dose something like Kent Liquid Calcium or TurboCalcium to raise my calcium while maintaining my alkalinity.

That's going to require 5.5oz of Liquid Calcium, which seems to me like a lot.

So I have two questions:

1) Is there something I can dose that would be more cost effective than $8.99/bottle Liquid Calcium?

2) Any idea on how often I'll need to dose this to maintain 425 calcium? Daily? Weekly? Am I going to get to 425 and it's going to stay around there for a long time?

Thanks.

 

[Percula9]

The alk needs to come up to 175ppm=9.7dkh. The magnesium may be low preventing calcium from coming up. Try some water changes with a good salt. Maintain calcium with turbo-calcium.

 

[Icefire]

First, test your magnesium and raise it to 1400, it must be low.

Then raise the calcium with Seachem Reef Advantage Calcium, it's very cost effective.

Then for the alk, use baking soda.

 

[MCsaxmaster]

1) See Randy's articles about a do-it-yourself two-part system. If you can track down some Dow-flake for calcium it should be a lot cheaper in the long run.

2) While I agree it is prudent to check magnesium, there is no reason to assume that magnesium MUST be low. However, if magnesium concentration is lower than ~1300 ppm I'd supplement it to bring it up. Magnesium plays an important role in helping to keep CaCO3 dissolved, instead of precipitating on pumps and heaters and things.

3) Alkalinity is on the lower end but certainly within the acceptable range. You can bring it up if you so choose. I have generally had the best success with higher alkalinity.

I would also check the calcium, alkalinity, and magnesium in your freshly mixed seawater. One or more may be lower than you want.

 

[b_vanfossen]

if you are not going to have corals you do not need to worry about the calcium, magnesium, etc..

Only worry about PH, Alkalinity, & Salinity....

 

[rjsilvers]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12515685#post12515685 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by b_vanfossen
if you are not going to have corals you do not need to worry about the calcium, magnesium, etc..

Only worry about PH, Alkalinity, & Salinity....

I'm going to try my hand with corals but I wanted to get the water right before I purchased them.

I don't have a magnesium test kit. But I will get one and see what I'm dealing with before dosing anything.

Thanks for all the answers guys they helped a ton.

 

[b_vanfossen]

I've never owned a mag test kit nor would i worry about testing for it until you are are getting into heavy sps....

For your tank the B-ionic would work great. I think there is a formulation for nano tanks. I've never used it buy hear great things about it!

have fun