Calcium problem, too low

[Sparg93]

Hey guys, i'm pretty new to the reef world and have been slowly adding coral to my tank (only a few pieces)

Unfortunately my Calcium level is 250 and i can't seem to raise it. I keep my salinity at 2.024, Alkalinity is "normal", ph is 8.3, and ammonia/nitrite/nitrate is 0. I also use RO water.

I just did a 20% water change using Coralife Sea Salt (been using the whole time) and it did nothing to raise my Calcium.

My rock is encrusted with thick coraline and all the coral looks great, any recommendations??

I bought the ESV B_Ionic Calcium and Alkalinity buffer system but it doesn't seem to raise the Calcium.

Is it possible that my Calcium tester is bad??

Very confused, please help

 

[Grayout]

I keep my salinity at 2.024, Alkalinity is "normal"

I'm assuming that you meant 1.024 for your salinity level. What is your alk reading exactly?

Calcium and alk levels are closely related. Your alk levels should be close to nsw levels of 7-10dkh. If your alk levels are not within this range you will not be able to increase ca no matter how hard you try.

If you do keep adding ca you run the risk of creating a "snow storm" in your aquarium. This is when crystalline carbonate will fall out of solution in an insoluble form. As you can imagine, this is NOT a good thing.

 

[cweder]

If it were me, I would measure the calcium level of your Coralife salt after mixing it and before putting in your tank. I would bet it is around 300-350 at most. You did not mention the name of your test kit. I am using Salifert for calcium and alk and believe they can be trusted and are used by many aquarist. I like using Oceanic salt if I can find it on sale because it has Calcium at about 450 at 1.024 or sometimes higher. Instant ocean is only around 350. If your measuring calcium/alk and using bionic, you should be able to gradually add more of the calcium portion until you get it to around 400, then go back to equal portions of the bionic or just add more of each portion if both are low. Dont forget to measure calcium/alk 1-2 times a week until you find your calc/alk demand. When I use just Instand Ocean I cannot keep up with calcium demand even with Kalcwasser for all evaporation and I just have live rock. A calcium reactor is my next step. Let us know how it goes.

 

[Sparg93]

Found this about the different salts:
http://saltaquarium.about.com/cs/seasaltmixes/l/aa090503b.htm


I spoke with Randy (mod for reef chemistry) and he told me to over the next few days dose my tank to get it up to 450 and then watch it from there.

Not sure why my calcium is so low, is CoraLife a good salt?

Thanks!

-Craig

 

[Sparg93]

I believe my test kit is Red Sea... unfortunately with my Alk kit it doesn't give me precise measurements other then a color pallette showing "low", "normal", "high"....

 

[ALTI]

not familiar with the red sea tests craig. try to double check the numbers. normal for alk would probably be in the 7-10 range and if the calcium was only at 250 i would bet your ph reading would be way off. i ran out of cal tests, but i have an alk tester. bring me a sample if u want and ill test it. i can give u some extra cal and alk suppliments if u want.

rob

 

[Sparg93]

Great, thanks Alti.

My pH has been stable for months @ 8.4. Is it possible that my coral algae has sucked up all the calcium and b/c i only do water changes once a month and have never dosed, it's low?

 

[soldier1911]

I would also consider using another test kit. I use salifert and love it.

 

[ALTI]

i doubt the coralline would use that much. try to get some salifert kits. makes life alot easier when u get good test results.

 

[graveyardworm]

You should also keep an eye on your magnesium levels. Ca Alk and Mg are tightly linked.

 

[Sparg93]

I've heard magnesium can affect calcium.... what is the proper range for magnesium.

I'll pick up the test kits you recommended tomorrow and see if there is any change.

 

[ri]

If the Calcium, level is indeed low, you'll be amazed a how much of a particular additive you'll need to get the level back in check.

I find this calculator to be extremely helpful for situation your in: http://home.comcast.net/~jdieck1/chem_calc3.html

ri

 

[graveyardworm]

Mg should be around 1300-1350. The hard part is when the three become imbalanced, at that point your best bet is a large water change.

 

[Sparg93]

Great, thanks!

Yeah, i used the CA calculater and i'm going to have to use my entire bottle of additive to get it back up.

I'm going to buy those test kits and get a better of idea of what is going on in the tank. I'm also going to do another water change this week (did 20% last week) and see if anything changes.

 

[Sparg93]

Where can i find this salifert kit?

i checked a few places i buy from and don't see it on their websites...any recommendations?

 

[ALTI]

most online stores carry them. just look around or do a quick search. ill show u how to make the cal/alk additives yourself if u stop by.

 

[Sparg93]

You da man Alti, i'll send you a PM this week and stop by your place... thanks for the offer!

 

[ri]

eBay: http://cgi.ebay.com/Salifert-Calciu...ryZ20756QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

ri

 

[MNreefer386]

I had the same problem... I was dumping in tons and tons of liquid reactor, tech cb, and aragamight. My alkalinity was fine but my calcium got as low as 150ppm. Then I found the miracle cure.. pelletized anhydrous calcium chloride aka Kent's turbo calcium. Apparently you can use prestone driveway heat but I don't like the thought of dumping something like that in my tank. It raised my calcium from 150 to 400 ppm in 3 days (don't do it all at once or your corals will likely suffer) without affecting my alkalinity. Now I use Tech cb to maintain my levels and so far so good. I'd test some freshly mixed saltwater for Calcium. IMO there are better salts out there than coralife...Oceanic, Kent, IO Reef Crystals.