Increasing Calcium Levels

[gixxer600]

Currently my Calcium level is around 320, want to increase it to about 400. What is the best way to increase it. I am currently using Bionic 2-part. There was a website I went to and plug in my values, it showed that I would need to use about 467mL of Bionic part 2 to get it where I want it to be. It also showed to use 1/3 to 1/2 of the amount then the next day the rest. Just want to make sure it is OK. I thought if I was using Bionic 2-part that I needed to dose both solutions equally. Currently my Alk is around 11. Is that too high. My tank is mostly LPS with some Softies. But I want to start adding some SPS to the tank.

 

[Craig Lambert]

You didn't mention your Alkalinity, and Magnesium levels. First thing you need to do is check those. You want your magnesium level around 1300-1350 before raising calcium otherwise a low magnesium level will interfer with your attempts to raise it. (B-Ionic magnesium is an excellent suppliment if you need to boost the level).

Once magnesium is at the proper level, I would suggest dosing Kent's turbo Calcium to get your level up to the 420-430 level. Then return to dosing b-ionic 2 part on a daily basis. Here is a calculator that will help:

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

 

[SDguy]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9314354#post9314354 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Craig Lambert
You didn't mention your Alkalinity, and Magnesium levels. First thing you need to do is check those. You want your magnesium level around 1300-1350 before raising calcium otherwise a low magnesium level will interfer with your attempts to raise it. (B-Ionic magnesium is an excellent suppliment if you need to boost the level).

Once magnesium is at the proper level, I would suggest dosing Kent's turbo Calcium to get your level up to the 420-430 level. Then return to dosing b-ionic 2 part on a daily basis. Here is a calculator that will help:

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

I agree, assuming the alk level is normal, and only Ca is low. If both are low, you will want to increase both, not just calcium.

 

[2639]

Agreed with the mag

I use Seachem's calcium products to maintain my levels.

 

[gixxer600]

I guess I have to go to the LFS and buy a Magnesium test kit.

 

[gixxer600]

Got the Magnesium test kit. It measured at around 1100. My alkanlity is at 8.6. Now my calcium is around 400. The past couple of days I slightly increased the dosage of the Bionic. I guess all I have to do now is maintain that. I did the dosage calculator for the magneisum. It said to dose 1333mL of magnesium to get to 1300. Should I divide that in half and use the other half the next day. The magnesium I am using is the Warner Marine brand.

 

[Rays]

And then you might want to go this route, a lot cheaper!
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-02/rhf/index.php#7

 

[SDguy]

I found in practice it often doesn't take as much Mg to get up there as calculated. Add a couple hundred mLs once a day and test after a few days.

 

[woodworker1959]

I agree with Rays Randy Farleys two part formula is grat have geen uning it for the last few months and my parameters are right on. Alot cheaper than the other two part s

 

[leeweber85]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9326419#post9326419 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by SDguy
I found in practice it often doesn't take as much Mg to get up there as calculated. Add a couple hundred mLs once a day and test after a few days.

I agree...

If I were you I would raise the Mg a little to about 1200-1400 and continue to dose the 2 part solution equally from now on.