calcium questions

[jasdavis09]

Hello everyone I would like some info on calcium.

I plan on adding some basic corals verry soon nothing fancy just some starter stuff. I would like to know how to go about making sure my tank is ready to house them. I have b-ionic calcium buffer system part one and two by ESV. Im headed to the lfs this afternoon to pick up some wter and I would like to know if there is anything else I need I will also be picking up a calcium and alkalnity test kits.

My system has been up and running now for almost a full year and is as follows 46 gal bow front tank 50 pounds of live rock fluval 204 canister filter without the bio balls, cpr hang on the back protien skimmer 2 inch sand bed and 2 power heads. any input would be great. The lighting system will be upgraded in the next 2 weeks from a basic strip to a pc with mh system.

 

[Avi]

Re: calcium questions

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6686689#post6686689 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jasdavis09
Hello everyone I would like some info on calcium.

I plan on adding some basic corals verry soon nothing fancy just some starter stuff. I would like to know how to go about making sure my tank is ready to house them. I have b-ionic calcium buffer system part one and two by ESV.

Those are popular products and a lot of people have success with them. Of course, you should test before you add these so that you know whether or not and when you do, in fact, need to. Take a look at this...I find it very useful:

http://home.comcast.net/~jdieck1/chem_calc3.html

this will also be useful:

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-05/rhf/index.php

Okay...back to testing......

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6686689#post6686689 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jasdavis09
Im headed to the lfs this afternoon to pick up some wter and I would like to know if there is anything else I need I will also be picking up a calcium and alkalnity test kits.

Calcium and alkalinity are two of the most essential testings that you'll do for a reef. The calcium testing is a bit more critical if you're keeping LPS and SPS, and while your intention is to keep "some basic corals" I suppose that might include some LPS like Pagodas or Candycanes, Hammers, etc.

Another essential is to test for pH, and you've most likely been doing that all along. But in addition to those three, I'd recommend that you also have a test kit for magnesium because if there is insufficient magnesium present, you will not be able to maintain calcium at proper levels. Why guess?

Okay, so you have calcium, alkalinity, pH, and magnesium. To that list I'd add Nitrates and Phosphates. Those are two that relate to your water quality. Both will be a measure of conditions that are either conducive to or not conducive to an outbreak of unwanted micro-algae. That's something you really want to avoid because in addition to being unsightly and difficult to overcome once it's present, it can also choke off some coral, like zoanthids, clavularia, etc. very easilyif it takes hole between the polyps at its base. Also, Nitrates at too high a level will be toxic to livestock in your reef.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6686689#post6686689 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jasdavis09
My system has been up and running now for almost a full year and is as follows 46 gal bow front tank 50 pounds of live rock fluval 204 canister filter without the bio balls, cpr hang on the back protien skimmer 2 inch sand bed and 2 power heads. any input would be great. The lighting system will be upgraded in the next 2 weeks from a basic strip to a pc with mh system.

Sounds to me like you're on your way to a nice reef there. I suppose you intend to keep carbon in the Fluval canister? Remember that carbon doesn't have a very long life and you should regularly flush it out. Don't expect any denitrification from a two-inch sandbed...but you have a good compliment of live rock and together with your protein skimmer, that should be fine, especially since you're using RO water. Good luck with your reef and post some pics.

 

[jasdavis09]

ok so I went to the lfs and I picked up a new rio 800 some 5 gal of ro/di watter and a calcium test kit I wanted to get a alkalinity test as well but theyu didn't have any in stock.

When I got home I installed the new rio and tested my calcium. The test kit is made by aquarium system, this isnt a test that I have used in the past and it is alot more difucult to use that the other test I that have if I did it right my calcium is at 360 ppm

 

[Avi]

What's your pH at? The calcium at 360 is all right for the moment and I wouldn't dose with your additive until you, at least, know what the alkalinity is. If you want more reliable test readings, look into Salifert Test Kits, by the way.

 

[mg426]

Salifert is the way to go

 

[Danger731]

my salifert shows my calcium off the charts at 640