Aquarist007
New member
you have to be careful with some pool shop grade chemicals---lots of impurities in them. Good enough for you to swim in but not your critters:lolspin:
Let's talk about Alkalinity, Calcium and Magnesium in an SPS Tank
- Thread starter JB NY
- Start date
you have to be careful with some pool shop grade chemicals---lots of impurities in them. Good enough for you to swim in but not your critters:lolspin:
tonyf
New member
of course, always use premium grade products with livestock.
hybridazn
New member
hey guys i just did a water test and this is what i got...
alk- 7
cal- 520
i dont have a mag test kit yet but i am in the process of getting one. i dont really dose anything for cal. but i did just do a water change, could that be why its so high? I was getting ready to dose kalk and reef builder to bump up alk but with the cal. level being high should i wait? also what would help bring that down some?
sorry i am a real noob when it comes to this stuff
alk- 7
cal- 520
i dont have a mag test kit yet but i am in the process of getting one. i dont really dose anything for cal. but i did just do a water change, could that be why its so high? I was getting ready to dose kalk and reef builder to bump up alk but with the cal. level being high should i wait? also what would help bring that down some?
sorry i am a real noob when it comes to this stuff
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Aquarist007
New member
What is your pH?
and what salt mix are you using.
I tend to think that the test for calcium is in error if you are not doing any supplementary dosing for it.
hybridazn
New member
sorry i should have put everything from the test results.
ph- 8.3
i use reef crystals salt mix.
i used to dose purple up but i havent in about 2-3 months. i guess i will try to do the test again and see what happens.
GeoB
New member
Great thread!! I've started useing Smart Reef 3-Part on my 120, and after 2 weeks I'm getting Alk, Ca, and Mg to finally get to my target levels 9, 450, 13-1400. I'd like to start useing a Ca Reactor I picked up (Reef Octo w/ solinoid and Milwaukee controller/meter) as I get the impression it will be easier to maintain these levels utilizing a reactor. How would I begin bringing this on line without creating a spike or drop in parameters?
woofu
New member
ive got a question.. please help .you say low magnisium helps maintain the alk and cal.. i use coralife salt.. my alk is alway about 8.6 calcium 390 but my mag is always of the charts... i use salifert test kits.. it comes out to like1800 ... is that way too high? i thought that mag should be about 3 times the calcium. i dont have issue with the corals .. but i cant seem too get calcium much higher. i am currently using kent liquid calcium and the chart posted on page one said that i would need to add 50 some tsp to get to 425.. the recommended dose is like 4 daily..
Aquarist007
New member
what test kit are you using for the mag---appears to be in error
To raise you calcium you might want to use Kent Turbo calcium in solid form
You need to need alot less of it to raise the calcium level.
gary faulkner
New member
Can kalk be used to raise Alk and Ca or is it just to maintain what you have.
If using kalk, should one use baking soda or baked baking soda to raise level of Alk?
TIA
If using kalk, should one use baking soda or baked baking soda to raise level of Alk?
TIA
gary faulkner
New member
I don't think I have ever heard of Damprid, can you fill me in on it and where to obtain?
TIA
TIA
Aquarist007
New member
Have you read Randy's article yet:
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/feb2003/chem.htm
"The calcium ions in the solution obviously supply calcium to the tank, and the hydroxide ions supply alkalinity. Hydroxide itself provides alkalinity (both by definition2 and as measured with an alkalinity test), but corals consume alkalinity as bicarbonate6, not hydroxide. Fortunately, when limewater is used in a reef tank, it quickly combines with atmospheric and in-tank CO2 and bicarbonate to form bicarbonate and carbonate"
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allsps40
New member
I have found that RC has high alk and ca. Mine tests at 520ppm ca and 13dkh alk. If you dont have a large demand for ca that may be why its high.
ptr13
New member
With alk,does it really affect sps with RTN or is it nitrates or PO4,been keeping my alk at 8,Ca at 440 and Mg at 1350,salinity at 1.025,temps 79,PO4 level at .02 and nitrates undetectable. I am just frustrated because the levels are suppose to be right there and the sps are still bleaching,not all though,just some of sps.
Mizdog
New member
Maybe it's the flow.
Maybe it's the flow.
If an sps isn't getting a good amount of flow it will start to bleach. If they are bleaching from the base it could be flow, pests, or other problems. I'm betting that they need a little more flow. Not direct flow, but a bit more water moving around them could help.
Maybe it's the flow.
If an sps isn't getting a good amount of flow it will start to bleach. If they are bleaching from the base it could be flow, pests, or other problems. I'm betting that they need a little more flow. Not direct flow, but a bit more water moving around them could help.
