That is correct, I use limewater. 
Ca, ALK I cant get it right!
- Thread starter Shawnts106
- Start date
Right now I use kalk water once a day. 1 tsp per gallon and dose over 1 week period also adding 1 tsp of kent liqued calcium a day
Why do my cal levels not come up when I am useing kalkwasser, am I not dosing enough as I posted earlier. If you use 2 part solutions sound like like you may have a whole lot of on part and little of anouther f you do not use equal amounts? I us eocianic lately and I am not impressed, I do weekly water changes in my 75 and I find it hard to believe CA is 425 when my tank is 300 to 350. Looking back at all the mixes I have used Tropic Marin being one. I believe I have received best results from Instant Ocean
Why do my cal levels not come up when I am useing kalkwasser, am I not dosing enough as I posted earlier. If you use 2 part solutions sound like like you may have a whole lot of on part and little of anouther f you do not use equal amounts? I us eocianic lately and I am not impressed, I do weekly water changes in my 75 and I find it hard to believe CA is 425 when my tank is 300 to 350. Looking back at all the mixes I have used Tropic Marin being one. I believe I have received best results from Instant Ocean
Shawnts106
New member
WELL!
tested with the other Test kit... Aquarium Pharms...
and... yeah... about 340 or so...
So Im going to get some KENT TURBO CAL and pour the WHOLE CONTAINER in BOILING WATER... stir it a bit, let it cool and POUR EVERY DROP in it untill its snowing like the middle of winter in Cananda !!!
no, just kidding... I am thinking of getting some TURBO CAL..
I think I will
I HAVE GOT TO GET THIS RESOLVED!!!
errrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr
ALK is still staying between 3.0meq/L and 3.5meq/L
I will get some soon, and let see how it does...
tested with the other Test kit... Aquarium Pharms...
and... yeah... about 340 or so...
So Im going to get some KENT TURBO CAL and pour the WHOLE CONTAINER in BOILING WATER... stir it a bit, let it cool and POUR EVERY DROP in it untill its snowing like the middle of winter in Cananda !!!
no, just kidding... I am thinking of getting some TURBO CAL..
I think I will
I HAVE GOT TO GET THIS RESOLVED!!!
errrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr
ALK is still staying between 3.0meq/L and 3.5meq/L
I will get some soon, and let see how it does...
Why do my cal levels not come up when I am useing kalkwasser, am I not dosing enough as I posted earlier.
Limewater and all other balanced calcium and alkalinity additive systems are just not suitable for raising calcium as they will push alkalinity (and in this case, pH) too high. Alkalinity will rise by 1 meq./L (2.8 dKH) for each 20 ppm rise in calcium. So a 50 ppm rise is just out of the question.
Calcium chloride is the way to raise calcium to normal levels, and then limewater can keep the calcium and alkalinity where they should be (barring water changes with low or high calcium mixes).
Limewater and all other balanced calcium and alkalinity additive systems are just not suitable for raising calcium as they will push alkalinity (and in this case, pH) too high. Alkalinity will rise by 1 meq./L (2.8 dKH) for each 20 ppm rise in calcium. So a 50 ppm rise is just out of the question.
Calcium chloride is the way to raise calcium to normal levels, and then limewater can keep the calcium and alkalinity where they should be (barring water changes with low or high calcium mixes).
I will get some soon, and let see how it does...
That sounds like a good plan. Let us know how it turns out.
That sounds like a good plan. Let us know how it turns out.
Thank you very much for your help I am catching on. I am planning to buy a 2 part sup very soon but would like to finish what I have and see if it gets me there. I now see that my 1tsp. a day in my 75 of Kent liqued calcium is laughable for what I am trying to do. I have referenced your calculator and it suggests I use 283ml. I do have a fairly large bottle I would like to finish and would like to know how I should add it. I do see you say 1/3 to1/2 the amount a day till level is reached. I am trying to go from 350 to 450 or better. How man ppm per day is safe?
Up to 100 ppm per day is OK, IMO.
Used the calculator and followed it to a T. Worked perfectly to the last drop. Raised my Calcium level 100ppm over 3 days using Kent liqued cal. Now of coarse the next situation is my alk. it is too low I see most sups.on the calculator impact ph greatly my problem is this.Right now my ph is 8.3 to 8.4, my alk 3mql, cal450. What can I use so ph does not move to dangerous level? Thank you
3 meq/L looks fine, but to keep it there (or raise it) without raising pH, you can just add baking soda.
If you want to make your own DIY to supplement for calcium and alkalinity that willnot raise pH, use my Recipe #2:
An Improved Do-it-Yourself Two-Part Calcium and Alkalinity Supplement System
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-02/rhf/index.php
If you want to make your own DIY to supplement for calcium and alkalinity that willnot raise pH, use my Recipe #2:
An Improved Do-it-Yourself Two-Part Calcium and Alkalinity Supplement System
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-02/rhf/index.php
I recommend 2.5 - 4 meq/L for alkalinity (which equals 7-11 dKH or 125-200 ppm calcium carbonate equivalents). The ocean has a bit under 2.5 meq/L for alkalinity.
This article has more:
Reef Aquarium Water Parameters
http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-05/rhf/index.htm
This article has more:
Reef Aquarium Water Parameters
http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-05/rhf/index.htm
Shawnts106
New member
Good news, I FINNALLY got it!
Ca is between 450and500 and Alk is between 3.5 and 4meq/L
I used Kent Turbocal it works GREAT!
Ca is between 450and500 and Alk is between 3.5 and 4meq/L
I used Kent Turbocal it works GREAT!
Sounds good!
Happy Reefing.
Happy Reefing.
djc1026
New member
I am having a similar issue, except very low Ca and high Alk. I had been dosing Kent's Liquid Calcium, but have seen only a minimal increase over the past month with no effect on Alk. I read one of the post in this thread and your article referenced my problem and now see that the recommended dose by Kent will not have much effect. I went to the calculator and dosed 1/3rd the recommend amount and will test tomorrow.
My problem was caused by advice by the LFS when I started 9 months ago who told me to add Pro dKh buffer every time I added water. BTW, they failed to mention you should test for Ca and Alk, this was the prescibed formula for pH stablization. Well, I came across an article of yours late December and got some test kits, and low and behold, I had a problem. Unfortunately I did not read the rest of your articles and have been combating this slowly without much progress over the past month. After I get the Ca boosted I will be looking into your two part system or B-Ionic inorder to maintain the balance. Thanks, so much for the info, I hope to see some movement tomorrow.
My problem was caused by advice by the LFS when I started 9 months ago who told me to add Pro dKh buffer every time I added water. BTW, they failed to mention you should test for Ca and Alk, this was the prescibed formula for pH stablization. Well, I came across an article of yours late December and got some test kits, and low and behold, I had a problem. Unfortunately I did not read the rest of your articles and have been combating this slowly without much progress over the past month. After I get the Ca boosted I will be looking into your two part system or B-Ionic inorder to maintain the balance. Thanks, so much for the info, I hope to see some movement tomorrow.
djc1026
New member
I went to the calculator and I have to raise mine a little more than you did, but after reading this, I realize my increases were probably due to water changes and the normal dose of LC was just maintaining. How much affect on the Alk does the large dose of Ca have? Mine is at 12dKh now and according to the calculator I need to add 340 ml of Ca.
Yes, the doses to raise calcium are always far higher than the maintenance doses listed on bottles. They presumably are being careful so someone does not think those higher doses to raise calcium are needed every day, and then push calcium too high.
