calc level always low! help!

[colourmop]

i have a 18g tank with some LPS and clams in it, my calc level always stay around 350-360, no matter what i do!
i've tried kalk, kent liquid calc, kent turbo calc, B-ionic, nothing will increase the calc level (test after 4-5 hours, calc level stay the same)
currently im dosing turbo calc and kalk at sametime, the calc level stay around 360 :\
i have 1260 mag, 10 dKH, 1.025 SG, 8.0 pH and the temp is around 78 F
anyone know what caused this and what can i do to bring the calc level up?
thanks very much
p.s. im using salifert test kits (2x calc test kits, 2x alk test kits, both of them show the same result) and tropic marin salt(salt have 1200 mag, and 300 calc, disappointing)

 

[Paintbug]

how much are you dosing say turbo calcium, and or b-ionic?

 

[colourmop]

i've tried according to the direction, 1/8 tea spoon at first, after 2 days i got no result, so i increased it into 1/6 teaspoon, still nothing.
for B-ionic, i use around 5ml A and 5 ml B, no result too :\
btw my tank is pertty heavy stocked, 4 maxima clams(2inch) and 1 derasa(3 inch), chunk of moonstone, favia, acan and coralines trying to cover my glass

 

[Paintbug]

try using this http://jdieck1.home.comcast.net/chemcalc.html it will tell you how much of either product. 1/6 teaspoon isnt much, nor 5ml of b-ionic. you cant really go by the instructions, every tank is different. you can add just the calc part of b-ionic as well. that way you alk doesnt get high.

 

[DrBegalke]

Maybe this will help:

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/nov2002/chem.htm

 

[colourmop]

i used the calc calculator, it tell me to does 1 tsp/day, just wondering will it burn the crap out of my stuffs :x
btw everyone i talk to suggest me to get atleast 400ppm calc for the clams, no matter what alk is >.<
thanks for those replies

 

[chrisd1009]

on an 18g, I would do a 10 gallon water change, test and start from there, keeping in mind to monitor your dKH and magnesium as well.

 

[colourmop]

i use tropic marin salt, it have 300 calc (way less than what i have now) so if i do a water change, it will bring the calc level even lower (i've tried it before >.<)
and yes, my mag is 1260 and dKH is 10
but my calc just refuse to increase :x

 

[chrisd1009]

I had a situation where no matter how much part 2 I added to my tank, I couldn't add enough to keep up my dKH. Yet on the other hand, my calcium remained at 450, even when I wasn't adding part 1. Magnesium was at 1500 ppm, even though I use IO which is low in all 3 categories. I did 4 large water changes which added up to 100% my total water volume over 4 days. This seemed to help me get my balance back. I tested and dosed parts 1, 2, and 3 to bring them up to acceptable levels and have been fine ever since.
Sometimes there is just something that goes out of wack that can't be easily explained. I don't know what went wrong and I don't know why water changes fixed it.
BTW, 1 tsp per day of calcium shouldn't burn anything.

 

[Paintbug]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8329181#post8329181 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by colourmop
i used the calc calculator, it tell me to does 1 tsp/day, just wondering will it burn the crap out of my stuffs :x
btw everyone i talk to suggest me to get atleast 400ppm calc for the clams, no matter what alk is >.<
thanks for those replies

alk plays a big part with calcium, as well as magnesium. i wouldnt try to raise the calc more than 25ppm per day. when i use the calc i posted, i got .7 tsp of Turbo Calcium. i also used 15g of water to take a little out for displacement from things like LR, and sand. i would dose close to .7 tsp one day, then test. then another .7 tsp the next day and test. it should start coming up. being that your alk and mag levels are good. i would also start adding some calcium to the new saltwater before even using it for a water change. that would save some headaches!

whoever told you to keep your calc at 400ppm for the clams is correct. i dont think 360ppm would kill them, but they wont grow as fast. but im not a clam expert .