help with calcium??? - Page 2

Twitterbait · 07-25-2006, 02:34 PM

which salt brand... this sounds fun so i'm gonna pull some of the experts in here.

Paging Spanky...

Hendersonracing · 07-25-2006, 02:39 PM

Hendersonracing · 07-25-2006, 02:41 PM

Reef Salt™ is a chemically sound blend of salts designed to replicate natural reef waters. It is ideal for both reef aquaria and fish only aquaria. It is specifically formulated to maintain ideal and stable seawater concentrations of magnesium, calcium, and strontium with adequate alkalinity and pH for closed aquarium systems. It contains all essential major, minor, and trace components found in natural reef waters, but contains no detectable quantities of toxic or non-essential components such as nitrate, phosphate, silicate, arsenic, cadmium, or beryllium. Biological components, such as vitamins and amino acids, are unstable in concentrated salt. Since they are depleted from the aquarium more rapidly than they can be replenished by routine water changes, these components are best supplied by regular addition of Seachem's Reef Plus™. Reef Salt™ mixes with excellent clarity to a pH of 8.2-8.4, an alkalinity of 4 meq/L and calcium of 400-420 mg/L, depending on specific gravity. Aquarium Use Only! Keep Away from Children!

Nyles · 07-25-2006, 03:58 PM

I use that, it will test in raw format at about 560 cal.

you have something going on in the tank, the water change probably offset the problem, with kalk (done properly) you should be able to hold your levels after a water change.

Spanky · 07-25-2006, 04:00 PM

Joe, stop!

Go get a new Ca test kit for one thing. 15 tsp in 250 gal of water will not raise Ca that much. It might go from 300 - 450, but not 650.

How are you adding Ca Chloride? You should be premixing it in a container of RO/DI water, wait until it's clear, then adding it to the system.

Kalk adds mostly alk. If you test kit is off and you've been running Ca that high, that's eating up your alk.

Spanky · 07-25-2006, 04:01 PM

BTW 300 is fine for Ca, unless you're dead set on freezing up your pumps.

Hendersonracing · 07-25-2006, 04:22 PM

I premix it in ro water and let it dissolve....Im going to try the seachem kit...I paid 249.00 for the pinpoint if Its not going to work Ill send it back!!!

redwinger · 07-25-2006, 06:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hendersonracing

I premix it in ro water and let it dissolve....Im going to try the seachem kit...I paid 249.00 for the pinpoint if Its not going to work Ill send it back!!!

Them pinpoint monitors are about as reliable as a DCX DM

. I would send it back if you could and get a test kit just like spanks says.

Nyles · 07-25-2006, 07:02 PM

If you can I recommend getting the salifert test kits, after you get a good routine going you won't be checking your cal that much, take that money and invest towards your cal reactor you where talking about a few posts back. Good luck whatever you do.

Hendersonracing · 07-25-2006, 07:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nyles

If you can I recommend getting the salifert test kits, after you get a good routine going you won't be checking your cal that much, take that money and invest towards your cal reactor you where talking about a few posts back. Good luck whatever you do.

thanks alot....wellll Im kinda a dumb a'' looks like a low battery issue...I called home from work the wife said no reading I put a new battery in and 338 popped up which is close to what it was last night...I just dosed another shot of calcium its now at 380...should I shoot for 400 or leave it alone???Im testing alkalinity now ill keep you guys and gals posted..
Joe

Spanky · 07-25-2006, 10:03 PM

Joe, I've never run a tank over 350 on Ca - unless I messed something up.
Do keep up with your alk. Alk is carbon, and carbon can be limiting.

Hendersonracing · 07-25-2006, 11:26 PM

ok thanks Ill check for alk...asap and make sure its up to par!!

Nyles · 07-26-2006, 01:11 AM

your cal is fine, I would be more concerned about the alk reading, Im gunna guess your around 10-10.2 dkh... just a guess with that salt.. lol

Hendersonracing · 07-26-2006, 09:33 AM

on my salefiert alkalinity test it measures on 4 I dont have my croos reference chart here does anyone know what that is?

Nyles · 07-26-2006, 10:46 AM

Close to 12, but I don't have my sheet at work, its ok (on the higher of the normal scale) but thats whats probably preventing the cal level from going up.

I'm sure someone else could chime in with more info and there is great links regarding this, but alk, ph, and cal all play a balancing act. If the alk is high the cal will normally be low. Personally I find your level pretty exceptional. Just make sure your alk doesn't keep climbing since it will tend to run the calcium lower.