james007wjs
New member
I am having trouble keeping my calcium levels upin my 10 gal. I added the normal dose of kent liquid calcium. That didn't do anything. Then I started to drip a kalk mixture. Tested the water the next day and still got 160 ppm.
how to keep calcium levels up?
- Thread starter james007wjs
- Start date
Hmm, 160 ppm is very low. Perhaps there's a testing error? What does some freshly-mixed saltwater measure?
How much of the supplement are you adding? In general, testing immediately before and a minute or so after supplementing should give you an idea of how the supplementation is working.
How much of the supplement are you adding? In general, testing immediately before and a minute or so after supplementing should give you an idea of how the supplementation is working.
Buster4900
New member
I had a similiar problem and was advised to check my Magnesium level. It was low. Added some magnesium and now the Calcium level is easier to maintain.
DrBDC
Active member
I'll bet you are just using the amount on the bottle. Use this calculator to determine exactly how much you need of ca, alk, and mag.
http://home.comcast.net/~jdieck1/chem_calc3.html
Once you have it where you want it, then limewater will help to maintain it where it is. Lime really doesn't work for raising parameters, just keeping them there since it is a balanced amount of ca and alk. You can do it with that but you will only raise the ca 18-20 ppm for every 2.8 dKh you raise it which also happens to be the consumption rate also.
160 seems like a testing error to me as well so I would make sure of that before adding anything to fix it.
http://home.comcast.net/~jdieck1/chem_calc3.html
Once you have it where you want it, then limewater will help to maintain it where it is. Lime really doesn't work for raising parameters, just keeping them there since it is a balanced amount of ca and alk. You can do it with that but you will only raise the ca 18-20 ppm for every 2.8 dKh you raise it which also happens to be the consumption rate also.
160 seems like a testing error to me as well so I would make sure of that before adding anything to fix it.
160 ppm calcium is so low that it may be a testing error. I'd check the calcium level in your salt mix to see if it is roughly right and there is no testing error.
Assuming it is correct, add a ton of calcium chloride supplement according the the calculator linked above. While your magnesium may also be low, that would not explain a calcium level of 160 ppm.
This article may also be useful:
Solving Calcium and Alkalinity Problems
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/nov2002/chem.htm
Assuming it is correct, add a ton of calcium chloride supplement according the the calculator linked above. While your magnesium may also be low, that would not explain a calcium level of 160 ppm.
This article may also be useful:
Solving Calcium and Alkalinity Problems
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/nov2002/chem.htm
