Corraline algae Prob...

CoMMaNdeR

CoMMaNdeR

New member
Guys, for some time I was dosing Kent Liquid Calcium to raise the calcium level that is always the same, around 370ppm.

Then I thought I should buy a product to raise the Magnesium, and I bought Sailfert Magnesium and also Sailfert Calcium.

Both bottles are now empty, checked the Calcium level and guys still the same.

I can see few patches of corraline algae growing, green and there's also pink but have been there for sometime and didn't grew more..

Guys what I am making wrong?

My parametres:
SG - 1.026
Temp - 27-28
PH - 8.3-8.5
Amm,NO2 - 0
Nitrate - 5
Phos - 0
Alk - 3-5 meq
 
What kind of water volume are we talking about, because the liquid will only do so much. It doesn't have much of a 'punch' in a larger volume. You can check one of the many handy calculators to see what you should expect from the product.

If your magnesium is checking out ok I would try calcium chloride, the dry stuff. Kents product is called 'turbo calcium'. You will get way more for your dollar going that way.

HTH
 
My Tank is 180gallons, I dosed exactly as suggest on the instructions of the bottle..

Are Saifert products good as Kent to raose Calcium level ?
 
The directions on the bottle are useless, that's a pet peeve of mine because they have no idea what value you are starting from, what the target is, and what the water volume is.

According to the online calculator in 140 gallons of water -I subtracted 40 for displacement- you would need 8.9 oz or 52.9 tsp of Kents liquid to reach a target of 420 from your current value of 370. For the Turbo calcium you would only need 2.5 oz of product for the same result.

I would recommend you test and tweak weekly depending on the demand in your tank, it is best to forget about the directions on the package and use a calculator. I use jdiecks calculator. Much easier. It has many products you can calculate with, so is accurate with whatever product you choose.

HTH
 
This new product is the bomb to me. Its called PurpleUp. And it raises Ca and other tracies all in the same 16 oz. bottle. JD
 
I have to agree with reefshadow, CaCl is probably going to give you a lot more bang for your buck. You didn't list a value for Mg; if it's low, Ca will be really tough to maintain.
Honestly, be careful what you wish for -- I drip kalk 24/7, and even though the Ca typically tests low (350-380ppm) the coralline in my 65g grows so fast it drives me up the wall. I love looking at purple rocks, but there's a downside: I'm forever soaking powerheads and other equipment in vinegar and scraping the coralline off the back and side walls.
 
Thanks guys all of you.

- One more question that I need to know is I hear that both brands are good but which do you think is best to raise the calcium level. I am refering for the Kent's Liquid Calcium and the Sailfert Calcium.

- Also reefshadow is the calculator that you find usefull online if yes please give me the link and explain me what should I do and how much should I dose to raise the calcium from 360ppm to at least 420ppm.

Many thanks guys.
 
Thanks.
Ok I fill in the blanks in the calculator like this:

Current Calcium: 360 ppm
Desired Calcium: 420 ppm

Product: Kent Liquid Calcium.

Here's the answer given by the calculator:
Product required: 450 ml; 15.2 fl oz; 90 tsp
Balanced Alkalinity is: 2.95 meq/l at 420 ppm

Ca pH effect: Minimal
Warnings and usage: Do not dose all at once. Although it may be ok to do so, I don't recommend it. Dose 1/3 to 1/2 and the next day test. Check your levels and then dose another portion.

Guys what should I do now and how should I dose because I didn't understand.
 
Did you calculate for displacement? Make sure you are using a smaller water volume than the whole 180 gallons, because with rock, sand, whatever you will have a smaller volume. For your tank I used 140 gallons, it may be less if you have a ton of rock/sand.

If you calculated for displacement it is saying that you will need to add a whole 15ish ounces of the kents liquid. That is correct. It seems like alot I know, but in that amount of water you'll need alot to reach your target.

Add 8 oz immediately and add the other 7 tomorrow or the next day. Then test weekly and use the calculator to estimate your next dose. You should be able to get to a point where you know approximately how much you need to add every week to keep the calcium and alkalinity up to par without testing so frequently.

Make sure you are keeping up with your alk, it is just as important as the calcium.

The reason I stated that the Turbo Calcium is better is because it is more concentrated and you will spend less money that way.

Hope that helps
 
Also what kind of lighting do you have? I used to run only metal halides, and as soon as added 220 watts of VHO the coralline took off like crazy.
 
Guys why on the calculator in the PRODUCT Section there is not SAILFERT CALCIUM?

What is the dose direction for this brand?
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7938730#post7938730 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jimbo045
This new product is the bomb to me. Its called PurpleUp. And it raises Ca and other tracies all in the same 16 oz. bottle. JD
Click to expand...

It also nukes tanks frequently. Stay away.
 
You need 450ml? To dose the kent's calcium take a 10 ml or larger syringe and draw out 150ml of supplement mixed with a gallon or two of top-off water. This is going to take 6 days:
day 1 - Pour in the prepared top-off water
day 2 - Test for calcium
day 3 - Pour another 150ml prepared top-off water
day 4 - Test for calcium
day 5 - Pour the last 150ml prepared top-off water
day 6 - Test for calcium and you should be at the desired level.

Just make sure you dilute it with top-off water and you will be fine. The reason for in between day testing is you might meet your desired level of calcium before the 6th day. That is how I am doing mine and I can see the calcium rise up to my desired level.
Good luck...
 
Or you could just be patient. Once you get it to take off, then you have to constantly scrape it off your glass. :D
 
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