Help calcium and Ph problems

[oddiseus]

Ok so here is the deal. No matter how much dosing of Bionic I do I cannot get my calcium levels in the right spot. I also do daily additions of a ph buffer because my RO water comes our real low in Ph. The RO/DI unit is a 7 stage unit. Is this the reason why my params are out of whack. My tank has not grown 1 pinch of coraline in its life (6 months) It also kills coraline coming in off of other frags. Might you guys know what is going on in my tank? And how can I fix it?

 

[oddiseus]

sorry Im not sure why this posted twice

 

[reefersnob]

Alk. and Mag. have to be in line to keep the Cal. up. Test for these and adjust accordingly. I can't keep my Mag. up without dosing it. But I use that cheap salt.

 

[oddiseus]

whats a good way to keep mag up?

 

[cherubfish pair]

Magnesium also keeps salt from creeping

 

[oddiseus]

ok so how can I add mg

 

[dastratt]

Get mg supplement.

Also I would try not adding the extra buffer. Ro water is a Ph of 7 but thats no problem -- the artificial salt mixes are designed to start from water with a Ph of 7. Check the Ph of the mixed water after its had time to age a few hours and see if it isn't good. A little buffer is not a problem but if you're adding much buffer and your Ca is low I would say there's a relationship there.

 

[dastratt]

I use this to supplement Mg and test with Salifert

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod_Display.cfm?pcatid=4791&N=2004+113022

For a while I used the C balance additive which is like B ionic but the C balance claims to have mg so maybe that would work.
Also I thought I'd point you to this article in case you haven't read it, it talks about why a balanced scheme (like the Bionic) is better than buffer

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/feb2003/chem.htm

Also I like this one that talks about what to do when Alk and Ca are out of balance. If the Mg tests good then I'd consider taking advice based on this article

http://web.archive.org/web/20021127040526/http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/nov2002/chem.htm

 

[pdlgirl1972]

this will help you save a little $$ over the b-ionic
there is also a link in that article with a dosing calculator. I use epsom salt. BOL
http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-02/rhf/index.php

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

 

[oddiseus]

Ive tested my pH of water while it was tap and that was normal 8.0 area, then after ro which was completely off the scale in the acidic area. actually it didnt even have a color on the scale for how acidic it said the water was. then I tested the water in my tank and it was low in the 7.8 area. that is why I was adding buffer.

Also I have to say that I have been dosing my tank with about 15cc of b ionic everyday. This is almost 4 times what I should be putting into a 20 gallon tank.

 

[reefersnob]

I use th ESV Mag. and it works great. It takes a lot to get the number where you want it, but once it's there you'll use less. I dose 10ml of B-ionic in the morning and 10ml at night for a total of 20mls per day. I dosed Mag. at 28ml a day till at 1450ppm, then cut back to 14mls.

 

[oddiseus]

Maybe Ill start dosing at night too. That might get my Cal. up a notch. Ill try some of that esv Mg as well. Hope this works out. Ill post back and tell of the progress.

 

[drummereef]

Re: Help calcium and Ph problems

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9641320#post9641320 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by oddiseus
Ok so here is the deal. No matter how much dosing of Bionic I do I cannot get my calcium levels in the right spot. I also do daily additions of a ph buffer because my RO water comes our real low in Ph. The RO/DI unit is a 7 stage unit. Is this the reason why my params are out of whack. My tank has not grown 1 pinch of coraline in its life (6 months) It also kills coraline coming in off of other frags. Might you guys know what is going on in my tank? And how can I fix it?

The pH coming out of the RO/DI will be low since it is oxygen deprived. Aerating for 12-24hrs will raise it. Dosing pH buffer is not a good idea for the long term. Keeping your alk/calcium levels stable will help with the coralline. Keep dosing daily additions to keep these levels up. Target 7-11dkh for alk and 380-450 for calcium.

Test your alkalinity and calcium with Salifert test kits and use the calculator below to help with dosing.

Reef chemicals calculator
http://home.comcast.net/~jdieck1/chem_calc3.html

 

[drummereef]

Also, please read these articles and please test before dosing anything into the system:

Solving Calcium and Alkalinity Problems
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/nov2002/chem.htm

How to Select a Calcium and Alkalinity Supplementation Scheme
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/feb2003/chem.htm

Do-It-Yourself Magnesium Supplements for the Reef Aquarium
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-07/rhf/index.php

An Improved Do-it-Yourself Two-Part Calcium and Alkalinity Supplement System
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-02/rhf/index.php

 

[oddiseus]

thanx for the info drummereef, I have read the first two but I will definately check out the other 2.

 

[Doglover_50]

if you can avoid supplements, do. You'll need to supplement for alkalinity and calc.

However, regular, OR frequent, water changes should add everything else in the salt. Maybe try this first to be a little more conservative?