Speaking of Calcium

[Goibot]

I've been doing a lot of homework for this little project. Mostly reading the books Dave has me hooked on - "The Reef Aquarium". Right now I'm on Vol 3 and it has a huge section on the chemistry aspect of the water.

It seems to me that the author is suggesting that the best way is to use a kalkwasser or Nilson reactor to buffer the water and provide stable calcium and if that doesn't provide enough calcium then to add a carbon reactor. Did I read that right?

How are you guys and gals doing it? or are you?

Thanks for your patience with all the questions,
Tracy

 

[ebman]

I started off with two part and found it to be a pain to use. I just didn't like dosing the tank everyday(call me lazy) and I started having problems with low Ph. I switched to kalkwasser and it solved my Ph problems and was easier for me to use. I just top-off all evaporated water with kalkwasser. I don't know if that is the best way to do it, but it works for me and my tank. I keep mostly softies and LPS, but I do have some clams. I think if you are planning to keep mostly SPS and clams, the calcium demand might be high enough to use a calcium reactor.

 

[neuroslicer]

I can't keep up with the growth of my SPS only using kalkwasser. So I top off with half strength kalkwasser (Mrs. Wages's pickling lime) and keep up alkalinity and calcium with DIY recipe two part solution. It all but takes 2 minutes each morning.

 

[Goibot]

Thanks for the information.
Tracy