OceanPure Pro Salt Ca levels

[pookstreet]

For all those OceanPure Pro salt users out there, has anyone tested for Ca levels and which Ca test kit did you use?

I am asking b/c I am having a hard time bringing my tank Ca level above 300 and decided to test the water that was made 3 days ago and has been aerating the entire time. According to my SeaChem test kit, the Ca level was ~350 ppm at a salinity of 1.026. I am running a Ca reactor and a Kalk reactor but still have trouble raising the Ca level. I don't think it's my test kit b/c I check the reference and it was fine.

The other thing I found was that my alkalinity was 14+ dKh. Is that too high and perhaps the reason my Ca is low? If so, how do I lower the alk? Thanks.

 

[®eefer]

I used to have the same problem. I think the key is that the reactor may do well at maintaing levels, it may not increase CA levels, does that make sense? Start with a large water change, then add some turbo or other liquid Ca at recommended doses along with Stronium & Magnesium. (I think the Mg is also key). Test daily until you have the level of Ca you are after, then set your reactor to a reasonable PH. Stop adding the CA & Mg additives, keep testing daily and watch your levels balance out.

 

[IsaaX]

I tested 435 with Salifert a few days ago. This was in my 55g storage container where I store all my mixed water. I use the Pro version

 

[Bebo77]

Dude alk of 14... thats crazy high... i am at 9 am i am worried about it. turn of your kalk and ca reactor and dose calcium.

this is what i am using..

http://www.marinedepot.com/md_viewItem.asp?idproduct=EV2121

how long have you been using that salt? i would try mixing up something else.. seachem reef or TM pro.

 

[Frankysreef]

or turbo calc pellets will work.. but turn everything off till you get your alk down... It will kill

 

[murphreef]

tested my ca a while back outta a new bucket it was 440 with an alk of 9dkh at 1.025

 

[Mchava]

Ken I would also take the Kalk reactor off line. Mine was as high as yours a while ago and once I took it down thing have began to balace out. If you have a CA reactor find out how much alk your tank is using up a day and tune your reactor to that. How do you tune your reactor well here is a link on how. Takes a few days but once its set you'll most likely never have to adjust it again. I've been running mine for one week and it has not changed at all from 400ppm and 7.0dkh.
http://www.petsforum.com/personal/trevor-jones/tuningcaco3reactor.html

 

[jeffreylam1132]

Good link, Mchava.

 

[Mchava]

thanks Jeffrey, this is what I used to tune my reactor and its been working awsome.

 

[pookstreet]

Thanks for all the input everyone.

Yeah, I knew that the reactors only help in maintaining proper Ca and alk levels. I have been doing quite a few water changes and was hoping that my Ca level would slowly increase with the newly mixed water, while the reactors help keep the new Ca level high, but it doesn't seem like its happening. Perhaps the high alk level is precipitating the Ca out prematurely.

I have turned off the kalk reactor for the time being and am dosing Kent turbo Ca. Let's see what happens.

Mario, thanks for the link. I'll check it out and hopefully it does the trick.

BTW, I thought natural sea water alk levels are around 4-6 meg/L, which is ~11-17 dkh. I don't remember where I read it tho. So what's the recommended alk level?

 

[glaudds]

The alk of natural seawater is around 8 dkh.

As suggested before, I would shut down the kalk and ca reactor and let your alk fall naturally, while dosing with the turbo ca. Then when your levels are in line, dial in your ca and kalk reactors to maintain the levels.