Calcium

[esimpson]

HI Everybody,

I am having problem keeping my Calcium over 315 ppm. I add Kalkwasser every day (1.5 table spoon / 1 gallon). I test with SeaTest.
My water Parameter are PH 8.0 (since mid of last week and I dont know why this is the first time it goes below 8.3 I am raising it up now), Amonia o, Nitrite 0, Nitrate 10,Salanity 1.23,Temperature 77.My Tank is 77 gallons and I am running a Protein Skimmer and 6 power head.I do 25% water change once a month with deoinized water.
Hopping you can help (by the way excuse my English Iam French).THANKS

[Klobee]

Dear Eric,

I have been having similar problems, but my calcium has been even lower than yours...in the 250-275 range. If you find any solns, let me know, and I will do the same.

Rick K.

"I can see their mouths moving...but I just can't hear the words."

[Brooke]

I think I would try more frequent water changes. Try a 10-15% water change every other week and see if this doesn't help keep you Ca up. This would also help lower your nitrates. You may be using up trace elements that help keep Ca levels high. Also, what brand salt are you using?

Brooke

[esimpson]

For Now I am using Forty Phatom (CHeap I was i the middle of a water change and realized that I was missing salt so I went to my local fish store who only keep this cheap stuff) normaly I use Instant Ocean Is this ok what brand do you recomand.I use other addidtive like Seachem Reef builder and reef complete. Pls reply if you think I am missing something.

Thanks for your reply
Bye :

[tdwyatt]

Tomorrow, I will post some stuff on Ca and getting your Ca up in the 400 range, but I am just too tired tonight, I must be bright eyed at 8am in a town 65 miles from here ready to see patients, so I MUST go to bed. i WILL THINK ABOUT IT ALL DAY, THOUGH HEH HEH HEH!!!

[Dale D]

Eric

Instant Ocean is fine salt. I have been using it in my tanks for about 10 years. I have tried other (more expensive salts) and have always come back to IO.

Raising your calcium level using kalkwasser can be hard to do (depending on evaporation in your tank). Alot of people recommend using an additive like Calcium chloride to raise your calcium level to 400-450 and then use kalk to maintain it at that level. Just becareful how fast you add the calcium chloride because it can cause a drop in Alk. if added too fast(if I remember correctly).

I have been able to maintain my calcium level using only kalk, but, I add 2.5g-4g of kalk a day to make up for evaporation in my system.

HTH Dale

[dlemisch]

I've been using Kent Marine Turbo Calcium for about one year and my ca levels are 400 to 450. However, you must use it VERY sparingly. I add slightly less than 1/8 tsp. to my top off water mixed with aragamite. I assume you could add it to Kalkwasser too. I've only used about 1/3 of a small jar over the course of a year. I saw great improvement in coraline growth with this product.

[Doug1]

I have always used Instant Ocean since I started in the SW hobby back in the 70's
It works fine and is readily available in most places, at least here in the US.
The use of 2 part additives together along with a regular water change schedule will help avoid Ionic Imbalances that result from adding Calcium Chloride. Once you have reached your target levels KAlwasser additions will help maintain Calcium levels, good buffering capacity and keep pH up in the system, but using kalk alone to try to reach these levels generally causes the yo yo effect(calc hi, alk low)