tanks a sponge ?

[BucNtears]

I've been tyring to raise my Calcium levels up for a couple of weeks now.The calcium level is 300 as of 10 minutes ago. When I do my water changes{reef crystals}the level is almost 400. Then the next day its back down to 300. heres my tank readings
tanks a 75 gallon ith 30 long sump fuge.
Cal 300
MG 1290
alk. 3.0
am. 0
ph 8.2
no2 0.3
no3 10.0
temp 80
salt 1.024
Can I overdose with turbo calcium ?

 

[dchao]

Most reefers can't sustain the calcium consumption on water change alone.

Assuming you were doing a 10% WC.

The final calcium level = 300 * 90% + 400 * 10% = 310 ppm

So some people add calcium chloride (same as turbo calcium), and yes, you can overdose it, and the calcium will precipitate out and make your water cloudy, so read the instructions and be careful.

 

[PatMayo]

Another great forum to post this question is the chemistry forum. You will generally get many answers by the next day. You will probably need to dose Randy's 2 part formula or other commercial formulas.

I dose Randy's 2 parts and it works well. I initially got the levels up with b-ionic then use Randy's for ongoing maintenance.

Regards,

Pat

 

[BucNtears]

Do all the other readings look ok ?

 

[bertoni]

Assuming alkalinity is 3.0 meq/L, that's fine.

I would raise the SG slowly to 1.026. Getting the nitrate lower might be useful, depending on what's in your tank. Is the live rock still curing? Nitrite usually (but not always) drops to zero fairly quickly.

 

[Ira NZ]

My tank's definitely a sponge. It keeps sucking up all the money I can throw at it!

 

[BucNtears]

No live rock is cured.
I've got some floss and sponge in the sump to pick up left overs,I'll take that out.
SG to 1.026 ? Will that help to bring the Cal. level up ?
All my other levels seem ok.
I added 1 tsp. a couple of minutes ago.I'll test and then add more in a couple of hours.
I'm using kent turbo calcium.Started with the 1/4 tsp per 50.
Can I add this to fast or am I right by adding over the course of the day.

 

[PatMayo]

You can probably add 60 ml of calcium per day with no problems. This calculator will help.

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

Regards,

Pat

 

[kamil5000]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6535117#post6535117 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by BucNtears
Do all the other readings look ok ?

No2 should be zero.
Mg should be 1350
S.G. should be 1.026

Otherwise calcium needs to be increased. Be careful when adding calcium additives on their own. This will tend to decrease Alk. so keep on monitering your Alk. Because if this falls so will your PH eventually.

The best way to keep Calcium and Alk balanced is to use Kalkwasser for all top-off water and supplement with a two part additives.

You could try changing your salt brand as well - some have higher Calcium levels then others.

As well we preparing new salt water - do not put in all the salt at once as this may cause calcium to percipitate (hence lower your calcium). Salt should be added 1/3 at a time.

Good Luck.