Water changes and calcium levels..

Kissfan79

Kissfan79

New member
Hey guys...
Do water changes adversely affect calium levels in your tank? I have not been able to get my calcium levels up past about 310ppm even though I am supplementing with C-Balance. For a while...I was not religious about it daily but I have been recently. I add 1 capful (about 1 tsp) of parts A and B daily. It seems as though after I did my last water change my levels dropped a tad (4 gallon change in a 24 gallon tank). Currently in my tank are my blue regal tang (yes I have been told to get him out even though he is only and 1 1/2" or so), some hermit crabs, astrea snails, an some nassarius snails. I did have a false percula clownfish in but he jumped over the back wall and got sucked into the water pump. Also...I am still having some problems with my nitrates being a tad high at about 10 ppm. My ammonia is at about .20 ppm (maybe a bit lower...I'll have to chek the reading in sunlight.) and my nitites are 0. PH is about 8.1 any thoughts about the calcium levels or the nitrate/ammonia levels?

Thanks, Jim
 
Currently...no corals (although I did have a torch coral that bascially disentegrated within a week of purchase) and I buy my salt water already mixed. I believe my lfs does indeed use Instant Ocean.

Thanks, Jim
 
I would mix your own salt using reef crystals or another brand with extra calcium, that way you can set your salinity level yourself and are sure of consistency.

The IO I have has a low calcium level (350 or so)
 
What is your ALK level? What is your mag level? if your Alk is way high your ca will percipitate. If your mag is low then your ca will not stay in solution. I would measure all three. Look for alk 7 to 11 DKH mag 1250 to 1350 PPM. If these are in order boost your ca to 44 to 450 PPM. Use the reef calculator to tell you how much of what to add.
 
I'll second mixing your own sw with Reef Crystals or another higher calcium salt mix. Our friend was buying pre-mixed sw from the lfs and constantly had problems with low calcium levels. We think they use Instant Ocean as their mix, but aren't 100% sure. Regardless, he started getting water from us (mixed with RC) and his calcium levels started to rise just from the water changes alone. He does supplement with a calcium additive, but isn't fighting it so much like he was previously.

If you do buy anymore water from the lfs, I'd test its calcium, alkalinity, and magnesium (if you have a Mg test kit) to see what they are before putting the water in your tank. If for no other reason, those results will show you what you're starting with and how far you need to go to get the levels to the proper range.
 
Thanks for the replies. What exactly is the reef calculator? I have been testing my water at home for PH, ammonia, nitrates, nitrites, and calcium. I'll have to extend that to Alk and magnesium as well. My lfs tests the water for free. The last time I asked about my alk and they said it was fine. I'll start testing it myself. If reef crystals a particular brand of salt I take it?

Thanks, Jim
 
Jim, yes Reef Crystals is a brand of salt made by the same manufacturer as Instant Ocean. Except it has more calcium and mag.

You can just make a one time correction to bump up calcium using either Turbo Calcium, ESV or Reef Complete. Then once you get balanced you can go back to the 2-part.

Here is the calculator we talk about
http://home.comcast.net/~jdieck1/chem_calc3.html
 
I use PurpleUp 16oz. addative. It boosts CA, Strontium, Moly and other traces in 1 mix. It suppose to enhance corals and coralline growths. JD
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8215722#post8215722 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Tripspike
Recently made up a 5 gallon batch of IO water and tested the calcium levels. 280 ppm.

Trip
Click to expand...

At what salinity?

Mine tested at 350+ @ 1.025, which is higher than the Tropic Marin I used to use.
 
I made up at 1.030. I wanted to boost up the salinity a bit in my tank so I made up the batch a little heavy.

Trip
 
I just got back from my lfs and they tested my water with the following results:

Ammonia .25ppm
Nitrates 3ppm
Nitrites 0
PH 8.3
Calcium 260ppm
Salinity 1.022
Alk "high" (She said about 3.7 if I remember correctly)

She said to continue to supplement with with the C-balance calcium supplement but to hold off on part B for about a week and just use part A to try and get the alkalinity down. Any thoughts about her analysis? What should a mornal reading for alaklinity be?

Jim
 
Last edited:
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8217128#post8217128 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by RichConley
At what salinity?

Mine tested at 350+ @ 1.025, which is higher than the Tropic Marin I used to use.
Click to expand...

Mine too.
 
IMHO alkilinity is more imortant than calcuim. Get yourself an alkilinity test kit asap. Then you can keep your alk to 3-4 meq. (3.7 is fine) I would recomend 3.5. Use your 2 part, like you have been:) , this advice from your LFS is sound. Testing for calcium is not nessesary if your not growing stony corals. Now others may dissagree with this, but it is true that alk is alot more important than calcium. Calcium at 310 is a bit low, but nothing to get all worked up about:) If you add as a 2 part, (daily is best:) ) your calcium will say at acceptable levels. Another thing, if you are going to keep geting your salt water from your LFS, (not recommended) test your new water for alk. Then add 2part (equal amounts) to 3-4 alk. This will raise the calcium and alk levels of your (sub par) salt water to where you want them.

Happy reefing:)
 
I would save your 2 -part for when you get balanced and buy a good concentrated calcium chloride product like Turbo Calcium, ESV or Reef Complete. It will take a lot less of these products to get your calcium up.

There is nothing wrong with 3.7 for alk.

This calculator will show you what I mean about the calcium
http://home.comcast.net/~jdieck1/chem_calc3.html
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

A
Please help reef tank
Replies
9
Views
861
wvned
wvned
D
Corals slowly dying / getting white spots water tests good
Replies
18
Views
2K
griss
griss
K
Fluval Reef 4.0 LED Nano Power Level for 15G?
Replies
3
Views
236
kingyking888
K
R
Cyano and nutrients
2 3 4
Replies
77
Views
11K
Elmareefer
E
oceangopher
Tankpocalypse Now
Replies
2
Views
170
Reefing102
Reefing102
Back
Top