Ca levels are way low...

[tangdiver]

Need help, my Ca levels are way low...gotta love cheap test kits.

temp. 76
Ca brace yourself...200 I checked with two test kits...
Alk 12.2
pH 8.3
trates 2
trites 0
amm 0
phos .07

I have been using Kalk stirrer w/ doser for top off
almost ready for Ca Reactor...not used yet
use buffer and builder...

Need help...raise Ca, without hurting screwing up tank...it is a 1500 gallon system.

Thank you in advance

 

[bertoni]

Hmm, 1500 gallons? If you can get a supply of Dow Flake cheaply, that might be a start. Otherwise, any calcium chloride supplement that's affordable should be fine. Turbo-Calcium is one such product, I believe.

Trying to raise the calcium rapidly with the reactor or lime is going to cause problems with your pH. What is the alkalinity level?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Using buffers without a balancing amount of calcium can result in a drop in calcium. I'd suggest adding a lot of calcium chloride as Bertoni suggests. Add it over several days.

This calculator shows how much:

Reef chemicals calculator
http://home.comcast.net/~jdieck1/chem_calc3.html

So your going to need 4.6 kilograms of calcium chloride dihydrate like Dowflake.

This article guides you through the process:

Solving Calcium and Alkalinity Problems
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/nov2002/chem.htm

 

[tangdiver]

Thanks, all gotta love cheap test kits...

Grant

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

You're welcome.

Good luck.