Trying to understand Calcium and Alkalinity in our reef tank

[shibumi]

All of the articles I'm finding online for Alkalinity seem to take a chemical engineering degree to decipher. Is there any way in layman's terms to spell out how to maintain proper calcium and alkalinity levels?

Our current situation is that our 36 gallon reef tank shows a high level of calcium when tested - approx 480 ppm. We do NOT have a test for alkalinity...

Our LFS always told us to add alkalinity and calcium supplements together - never just by themselves. Seeing as our calcium measure is high, we haven't been adding the calcium supplement - and therefore, not adding the alkalinity supplement.

So - first off - do we need to pick up an alkalinity test kit?? Any recommendations?? Are these the same thing as the "Hardness tests"??

If our calcium level is high, can we safely add alkalinity supplement w/o the calcium supplement?

The two supplement products we have came from our LFS. They are by "NatuReef" - manufactured by Coral Reef Research.

Hardness Plus: Contains Calcium, Magnesium, Stroniium, Potassium, Lithium, Barium, Boron

Alkalinity Plus: Contains Carbonate, Sulfate, Bicarbonate, Bromide, Hydroxide, Iodide, Flouoride

Both are liquids. Dosing - it says no more than 5 ml should ever be added at one time... Our LFS told us to add a capful (5 ml) of both every week.

Here's a link to the stuff: http://www.natureef.com/calcium.htm#Hardness

Thanks for any insight!

 

[shibumi]

Another thing ... we are using the NatuReef Calcium test kit ... is it a good test?

I read another post where it was waaay off in the readings compared to Hagen and Salifert

Any opinion? :rollface:

 

[TAMike97]

I use the ESV B-Ionic. Read and try to understand everything in the chemistry forum and read every article from Randy Holmes Farley. There is not really an easy way to understand without knowing a little about chemistry.

 

[BlueCoast]

My .02 from the words of many here and from skepitcal reefers is don't add or supplement what you cannot test for.

My thoughts are test the water, then take a sample at the same time to a LFS to have them test and compare the results. While no guarantee, 2 consistent results would lead me to believe they are at least relatively accurate. I have checked my $6 SG meter a few times against a true spectro and it is consistently off, but consistent...

I use the same Alk + for my tank but with very little taking up calcium i have not needed any supplements yet. I usally add it in with the new water after a change to keep the Alk up. Weekly water changes can help restore trace minerals as well. Seems pretty hard to go wrong with Salifert kits.

 

[Kubi]

Shibumi,

I know your LFS. They have never stared me in the right directon.

As for your calcium test kits I have both NatuReef Calcium and Salifert. Both of mine are very very close in readings, in fact so close it does not make a difference. I use the Salifert it is easier to use. . and for hagen, you get what you pay for.

CAl & ALK so many factors, so many rolls. As TAMike97 said use a easy 2 part system. If you do not have sps it is not as critical to maintain constant levels at all times.

 

[Billybeau1]

Try this

A simplified guide to the relationship between Calcium, Alkalinity, Magnesium and ph
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-06/rhf/index.php

 

[markandkristen]

salifert is awesome
i would suggest
getting
ca,
alk/kh
and mg.