Q about calcium

[wondermidget]

I noticed my calcium was low so for the past 3 nights I've been dosing with Kent Liquid Reactor, but the calcium levels have been going down rather than up. Can anyone tell me what is going on?

 

[Hop]

Where are your other parameters at? Magnesium and alk? These are intertwined with ca.

 

[sassafrass]

Check your Alk I am betting it's low if you go to the reef chemistry forum they can explain the fix better than I

 

[wondermidget]

My Alk is at 1.2. I will go check out the reef chemistry forum. Thanks guys.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

As was mentioned in he chemistry forum by others, but I'll repeat it here for folks in this forum, Kent Liquid Reactor is a largely useless product as it is just like fine sand that will not dissolve in the aquarium.

However, even if it worked as they advertise, it would not typically be the product of choice to boost calcium a lot because it would boost alkalinity too much. To boost calcium by 80 ppm would boost alkalinity by 4 meq/l (11 dKH). Calcium chloride (like Kent's turbo calcium or many other brands) would be best for substantial calcium corrections.

These have more:

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

Calcium Carbonate as a Supplement (Aragamight; Liquid Reactor)
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/july2002/chem.htm

 

[wondermidget]

Thank you for the advice Hop, sassafrass and Randy. I will go check out the links.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

:thumbsup:

Good luck.

 

[wondermidget]

Randy, I wish I would of read your articles first. They are very informative and helpful. I will not be using the liquid reactor any more, I'm going to start doseing with limewater. Thanks again.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Sounds good and thanks!

Pop back any time.

Happy reefing.

 

[JoeMomma]

+1 on the great article. Reef central and its members are amazing!

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Thanks very much.

Happy reefing.