Calcium...need a solution please!

Reefer2727

Reefer2727

New member
I have posted before on the subject and can't seem to decide. I want to get my calcium up somewhere around 400. Nothing major. I just have softies and once things are better I may pick up a few LPS but no plans as of yet for SPS.

I have been using Instant Ocean and my Calcium seems to be around 320. (Salifert Ca Test Kit). I have switched to Reef Crystals and it will be added for the next water change.

I just want something to bring it up to a respectable level. So I need a Calcium supplement along with some sort of Buffer for alk. Or a 2 part product. I dont want to be dosing daily and will not be setting up a dosing pump. Just want a product that I can add once or twice a week to maintain my levels.

Can anyone recommend a good combo of Calcium and Buffer? Is Seachem Complete a good product? Is there a Buffer to go along with it?

What is better, powder or liquid?

Someone point me in the right direction.

Thanks
 
Do you need to dose daily with a 2 part? I am going to put an order in to BRS and am debating the 2 part. Which is actually three as Magnesium seems to have its own jug and recipe.
 
not at first depending on the amount of coral you have in the tank and how fast the ca is getting used up. you have to tast daily to be sure. mg will just make everything use the ca up faster.
 
The magnesium makes the calcium get used up quicker? How does this happen? Does it put it in a form that makes it easier for corals to use?
 
I would like to avoid dosing if possible. Also, I have a very light load right now. I have switched from IO salt to Reef Crystals. I am hoping that this may increase my levels a bit. I am not sure why my Calcium is reading about 310 currently. I am doing my water changes about every week and a half. I have a batch of Reef Crystal water mixing now and I look forward to seeing what the calcium checks in at. Its a brand new Salifert test kit so I dont think I am getting wrong readings.

So 100%hydrophylic.....you dont dose anything? Do you need to buffer with that high Calcium or the salt is balanced?

Thanks
 
I just tested my newly mixed Reef Crystal salt. At 1.030 salinity it tested in at 445 calcium. It says on the box that at 1.026 it will be 455 calcium.

I have added some more RODI to get it down to 1.026. Hopefully it will still be 400+.

I have been doing some reading and it looks like the 2 part dosing is the way to go. I like the BRS set ups but because I live in Canada shipping is huge on those items. I am trying to find something a little more local.
 
The Reef Crystals should bring up the Calcium with a couple of water changes. Depending on your Corals and water changes you may or may not need to adopt a Calcium and Alk dosing program. I agree that you should spend some time reading up on the subject.
 
bulk reef supply is great! go there and read. you can also watch their videos. i buy their stuff by the 5 gallon bucket.
remember that Magnesium needs to be 3 times the calcium level. example calcium 400 then Mag should be 1200. don't let the ratio slip or your calcium will fuse all your gravel/sand together. i know, i've made that mistake.
i have found that reef crystals doesn't test all that much higher in calcium than does instant ocean. i'm not sure why but it sucks!!!!
 
Playa-1 said:
The Reef Crystals should bring up the Calcium with a couple of water changes. Depending on your Corals and water changes you may or may not need to adopt a Calcium and Alk dosing program. I agree that you should spend some time reading up on the subject.
Click to expand...



Good advice!! Just do a few water changes with the new salt and let things take their course.
 
IIRC, reef crystals also create SW with very high alk. keep an eye on that. as you read more about the importance of calcium, alk and mag you'll start monitoring all 3. you can slowly bring your Ca up adding the calcium part of the 2 part in quantities larger than you would dose to maintain them. do you have any clams in the tank? clams consume a lot of calcium
 
Currently in my 75 I only have softies and about 80 Lbs of Live Rock. I definitely have some reading to do. Before I get into anything else I am going to monitor what my calcium does after a few water changes with Reef Crystals. I have a Calcium test kit but just ordered an Alkalinity and Magnesium kit. I really shouldn't need to dose with what I want to have. I like the softies and if calcium gets up a bit I will look into a few LPS. Nothing major though.
 
also, make sure your test kit is not expired/crappy. i had an api test kit that had me thinking my calcium was 420 when it was really 320!
 
I hear ya Papaklix. For that reason I just got a new Salifert Kit. I also have an API kit on the way. Will be interesting to compare.

That is the one thing in this hobby that annoys me. You can never fully trust any test kits even if they are new.
 
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