Need to raise calcium levels.

[Cali Kid]

What is the best procedure for raising calcium levels? I'm currently using the ESV 2 part B-Ionic to maintain calcium and alk. I have been dosing 2 teaspoons of turbo calcium daily for the last week and still no increase.

Main Tank: 125g
Sump: 60g

02-16-03: 320 PPM Salifert

Daily Dosing:
80cc/ml of B-Ionic Part 1
80cc/ml of B-Ionic Part 2
2 teaspoons of Turbo Calcium
8 teaspoons of Super Buffer dKH

02-21-03: 320 PPM Salifert

I'm obviously doing something wrong

Please help,

Sean

[Reedman]

Is your Alkalinity out of whack? I seam to remember reading that if your Alk goes up too far your Calcium level will remain low.

Someone els will address this I'm sure, but you may want to post that number as well as the calcium reading.

[Cali Kid]

Alk is currently at 12.2 dKH. (I think this is an ok value)

FWIW

SG - 1.0265 (a little high)
temp - 82 deg. F. (also a bit high)
PH - 8.32
Ammonia - 0
Nitrite - 0
Nitrate - 0

[Rick O]

Try more turbo calcium. I'm dosing 4 tsp/day in a 60 gal frag tank

[David Grigor]

I think your trying to do too much too fast.

Continue your B-Ionic and cut way down on the Turbo Calcium. Less is better and want to gradually get your CA back up. I would do 1/8 - 1/4 teaspoon dosage of Turbo Calcium daily.

If your Alk starts to drop because of the Turbo may need to increase your B-Ionic daily dosages to keep the alk around 10-12dkh.

I have found the on a tank that size, if your not planning a CA reactor soon, you may want to switch to Seachem ReefBuilder and Reef Advantage calcium ( the powder forms, buy the big 1 kg size). It will be much more economical than using B-Ionic in the long run and just as easy to use as long as you dose in correct proportions to each other.

[Rick O]

Originally posted by David Grigor
I think your trying to do too much too fast.

Continue your B-Ionic and cut way down on the Turbo Calcium. Less is better and want to gradually get your CA back up. I would do 1/8 - 1/4 teaspoon dosage of Turbo Calcium daily.

If your Alk starts to drop because of the Turbo may need to increase your B-Ionic daily dosages to keep the alk around 10-12dkh.

I have found the on a tank that size, if your not planning a CA reactor soon, you may want to switch to Seachem ReefBuilder and Reef Advantage calcium ( the powder forms, buy the big 1 kg size). It will be much more economical than using B-Ionic in the long run and just as easy to use as long as you dose in correct proportions to each other.

Wouldn't it be better to cut back on the buffer rather than the ca?

[David Grigor]

My assumption is that B-Ionic 80ml daily is what he's using to maintain ALK/CA. Use the Turbo as a one time fix to get the CA levels up. If the Turbo causes the Alk levels to drop need to increase the B-Ionic dosage in equal parts. Stop using the Kent superbuffer altogether as Alk is not what you trying to raise.

I myself am not a big fan of using Turbo on a long term basis as it is not Ionically balanced and can cause your water chemistry to get out of whack......I only recommend using it to adjust.

Using two different products B-Ionic + Kent superbuffer and Turbo CA, who knows what type of shape the water chemistry is in.

Not knowing exactly what all has been done prior to asking for help it may already be all out of whack and may need water changes to get it back to a good starting point.

[Cali Kid]

I have only been dosing turbo and super buffer for about 2 weeks; with the intent of raising the ca and alk levels. I typically use the ESV B-Ionic to maintain these levels. I asked for help because the ca levels did not appear to be rising. The alk was at 9.9 dKH 2-16-03 and is now at 12.2 dKH. I'm mixing a 40g batch of saltwater for a water change tommorow. I'm going to take a ca reading on the mix before I do the water change. FWIW - I'm using corallife salt mix.

so.....add more turbo? or cut back and increase B-Ionic dosing?

[David Grigor]

If 80ml of B-Ionic keeps you Alk/CA levels stable but CA is not where you think it should be. Then SLOWLY add Turbo Calcium to increase you CA level to be inline with your ALK. Adding Turbo could cause the ALk levels to drop some ( which is expected ). If that's the case increase your Daily B-Ionic ( both parts ) a little to compensate ( Only while your still dosing the Turbo ).

The trick is to maintain your ALK levels using the B-Ionic ( both parts ) while increasing your CA with the Turbo. Otherwise you will not get anywhere because will be a continous see-saw effect.

If you haven't read this article yet it may help. I found it to be pretty easy to read......

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/nov2002/chem.htm

[David Grigor]

Based on the article, you fit the Zone #3.

Disregard my statment of increasing the B-Ionic dosage while using Turbo as that add a little more complexity than the article suggests.

Increase both the ALK/CA with the B-Ionic AFTER you are back inline with the acceptable ALK/CA proportions according to his chart......

[Cali Kid]

Thanks David.

I'm reading the article now.

Nice to see an article about this from Randy Holmes Farley without the complicated chemistry equations.

Thanks again for the help.

I'll update in about a week or two.

Sean

[Rick O]

Sean I've been where you are. Maintaining alk and ca in a tank that size with B-Ionic is very expensive. I would suggest you consider a ca reactor. The upfront costs seem high and it takes a little work to get it dialed in correctly but afterwards your life will be much easier.

[David Grigor]

AMEN !


if CA reactor is not in your near future.....

Seachem Reef Builder & Reef Calcium Advantage ( the powder form ) is more economical the B-Ionic to use long term........

[Cali Kid]

Originally posted by Rick O
Sean I've been where you are. Maintaining alk and ca in a tank that size with B-Ionic is very expensive. I would suggest you consider a ca reactor. The upfront costs seem high and it takes a little work to get it dialed in correctly but afterwards your life will be much easier.

I couldn't agree more. I've got most of the parts for Sanjay's design. Do I really need a PH controller and a regulator with a solenoid? I'm going to start working on it this weekend. Shoot! I could finance one cheaper than I'm paying for B-Ionic ($35.00 per mo.)

Thanks for the help

Sean

[Rick O]

I've never used a controller. Without a controller I see no need for a solenoid. Mine has stuck closed once after a power outage.