Very low Ca Levels

[Matt850]

Although I dose Ca supplements I have yet to get my Ca measurement above 300. It usually reads around 260-300. I use Instant Ocean Salt (which I am thinking about switching from do to having low pH problems) and was wondering if this could be a salt problem or is it getting sucked out by my purigen or chemi-pure in my sump? I don't think those filters pull it out, just throwing everything it could be on the table. I want to keep SPS and with these Ca levels that may be a problem.

 

[Percula9]

Usually low calcium is indicative of low magnesium. Check the mag level. Try oceanic salt. What calcium supplement are you using? Filtration will not pull out calcium. Try turbo calcium by Kent.

 

[MCsaxmaster]

What is the magnesium and alkalinity in the water? What sort of calcium and alkalinity supplements have you been using? Have you had anyone double-check your measured values? If not, it's always a good idea.

Salt mix won't cause low pH problems. Low alkalinity or high CO2 (or a combination of both) cause low pH problems.

Chris

 

[rbursek]

If Mg is low it is hard to get and keep Ca up.

 

[bertoni]

Also, how much supplement is being added, and how often?

 

[Matt850]

I went and got my Mg tested and it was low (LFS) and they are big on Seachem products so I grabbed some Mg dose from them. I ordered the a new test kit for myself online because it was MUCH cheaper (one I have is old and doesn't work get well it seems). I dose purple up because that is what I have around, although I think I will be purchasing Kent TurboCalcium soon(also worried that the additional Iodine that Purple-Up adds could become a problem).

I just wanted to fix the problem before I tried to add sps. The zoos in my tank are doing amazingly well. One of my fags I got 2 weeks ago and already have four new heads (only started with 3).

 

[Matt850]

Found this and I love it:

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

I think Mg is where I have to start to fix the Ca issue, Thanks so much for the help and I would appreciate any additional comments to help me out.

 

[bertoni]

The SeaChem magnesium supplement is basically just epsom salts, so I would avoid that in the future. Kent Tech-M, ESV, Warner, and Salifert are all good supplements, and there's DIY versions as well.

What was the Mg level?