I have been trying to raise my calcium levels for about 2-3 weeks now and can't seem to get it above 360-380 range. I have been adding the ph buffer as well. My ph level is 8-8.2. Other than ph, is there anything that can keep the calcium level low? I have been using API Eco Calcium (liquid).
Calcium problems
- Thread starter Keith A
- Start date
I had the same problem....I was concerned about using limewater so I bought Seachem Reef Complete....It is a liquid....I have a 92g corner with another 20g of water in the sump....I added 5 capfulls (from the half gal size) per day for about a week or so...It slowly raised my calc from 320 to where it is today @ 440.....
Flipper62
Premium Member
What Salt are you using ???
If its Instant Ocean, You can use it for a REEF tank, but its really made for FOWLR tank & will have to add supplements like calcium
If you have a REEF tank you need to use a reef salt.
Reef Crystals is a good one
I like Oceanic Natural Sea Salt Mix.....All the correct calcium levels are built in
If its Instant Ocean, You can use it for a REEF tank, but its really made for FOWLR tank & will have to add supplements like calcium
If you have a REEF tank you need to use a reef salt.
Reef Crystals is a good one
I like Oceanic Natural Sea Salt Mix.....All the correct calcium levels are built in
There are several issues going on here.
The first is that you should not EVER add a pH buffer to maintain a specific pH. That is not the best way to even raise pH, and is probably driving the alkalinity too high. What is the alkalinity now?
High alkalinity will cause precipitation of calcium carbonate, depressing calcium.
As to the calcium supplement, how much are you adding? You may need more than you have been adding. If you are trying to boost calcium from unusually low levels, you typically need to add more than the bottle recommended dose, as that is a maintenance dose, not a correction dose.
The first is that you should not EVER add a pH buffer to maintain a specific pH. That is not the best way to even raise pH, and is probably driving the alkalinity too high. What is the alkalinity now?
High alkalinity will cause precipitation of calcium carbonate, depressing calcium.
As to the calcium supplement, how much are you adding? You may need more than you have been adding. If you are trying to boost calcium from unusually low levels, you typically need to add more than the bottle recommended dose, as that is a maintenance dose, not a correction dose.
Flipper62,
I use Instant Ocean but I have been thinking about switching to reef crystals. I have (trying to establish is probably more accurate) a 75 gal reef tank.
Randy,
I thought that when testing ph/alk, anything below 7 is more acidic and anything above 7 is more alkiline. I don't have an alk test kit and was told that I could use the ph test kit to measure it. Is this wrong? Its around 8 - 8.2 from this morning (11/22)
I've been using the API Eco Calcium (liquid) along with the API ph buffer. Would they neutralize each other out if added too close to each other? The directions say to add one teaspoon of the calcium per 10 gal. so I add 7 1/2 teaspoons total. I want to make sure I don't increase the calcium level too fast as well.
I use Instant Ocean but I have been thinking about switching to reef crystals. I have (trying to establish is probably more accurate) a 75 gal reef tank.
Randy,
I thought that when testing ph/alk, anything below 7 is more acidic and anything above 7 is more alkiline. I don't have an alk test kit and was told that I could use the ph test kit to measure it. Is this wrong? Its around 8 - 8.2 from this morning (11/22)
I've been using the API Eco Calcium (liquid) along with the API ph buffer. Would they neutralize each other out if added too close to each other? The directions say to add one teaspoon of the calcium per 10 gal. so I add 7 1/2 teaspoons total. I want to make sure I don't increase the calcium level too fast as well.
I thought that when testing ph/alk, anything below 7 is more acidic and anything above 7 is more alkiline. I don't have an alk test kit and was told that I could use the ph test kit to measure it. Is this wrong?
You cannot use pH to measure alkalinity, even crudely. Do not confuse alkaline (high pH) and alkalinity (which is the amount of acid it takes to drop the pH of a sample to about pH 4.2). They are very different. Buffers are not suitable for maintaining pH if alkalinity is already normal to high. You can easily have low pH and high alkalinity. It is actually quite common when your home air has elevated CO2.
I've been using the API Eco Calcium (liquid) along with the API ph buffer. Would they neutralize each other out if added too close to each other?
Not likely, unless you poured then together into the same spot in the tank.
There is no concern boosting calcium from 360 to 420 instantly with a calcium only supplement like calcium chloride.
You cannot use pH to measure alkalinity, even crudely. Do not confuse alkaline (high pH) and alkalinity (which is the amount of acid it takes to drop the pH of a sample to about pH 4.2). They are very different. Buffers are not suitable for maintaining pH if alkalinity is already normal to high. You can easily have low pH and high alkalinity. It is actually quite common when your home air has elevated CO2.
I've been using the API Eco Calcium (liquid) along with the API ph buffer. Would they neutralize each other out if added too close to each other?
Not likely, unless you poured then together into the same spot in the tank.
There is no concern boosting calcium from 360 to 420 instantly with a calcium only supplement like calcium chloride.
Very high alkalinity is a possibility, although there may be other reasons. Low calcium is not likely a concern at the levels you have.
Let's see how high it is before deciding on a plan. Super high and water changes are probably the way to go. Just a bit high and simply allowing it to come down on its own would be best.
You're welcome.
Good luck.
Good luck.
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