keeping calcium level

[Tiny]

I have a 20gal reef and use Kent Super Buffer with water changes and top off. I also use a product called Aragamilk for calcium. This product is also a buffer and I add it almost everyday. At this rate the calcium level jumps around from 100 to 450. I purchased a IV drip and would like to drip calcium for a more level reading. I guess I could use the Aragamilk in the drip, but wanted some other idea's. Thanks.

Sorry for the double post. I guess it is the hair trigger on this lap top. Sorry.

Not a problem I deleted the other thread for you ---- Charles

[ckreef]

I would think there is something basically going wrong either in the tank or in the testing. The calcium levels should not be jumping between 100 to 450. If this was happening on a regular and constant basis the corals definatly would not be happy campers.

I have never used Aragamilk so it's really hard for me to coment other than the above observation.

[SaltBlock]

What brand of tests do you use?

AEB

[Tiny]

It is a Hagen Ca test kit. This thing is hard to read anyway. I just tested it and the colors never match the chart. Today it appeared to change from pink to violet at 11 drops, which is supposed to be 220. I have quite a few corals in this 20, none very big, so I guess they use a lot of calcium. I tried the Aragamilk in the drip and it settles at the bottom, so don't think it will work. If I got to shake it up every hour or so, it isn't much help. Thanks.

[ckreef]

Some test kits come w/ a reference sample. If it does then preform the test using the reference sample and see if the results comes out as expected.

If it does then you know you are preforming the test correctly and are reading the results correctly (at the correct color change).

If it comes out wrong then either the reagents went bad or your method of preforming/reading is incorrect. At least you will have some idea if you are using the test kit correctly or not.

[Rick O]

My recommendation would be to use a two part supplement in a tank that small. It may be easier to maintain some consistency.

[ckreef]

Yup I agree with Ricks recommendation about a two part.

I use Kent AB and as needed will also add a little SeaChem Reef Complete to the tank but I have an abnormally high calcium demand in my Nano.

[sammy33]

I have been using AragaMight which is the powder form of AragaMilk. I have a medium calcium demand in my tank (15g) and the AragaMight seems to keep the tank in the 400 ppm range.

I think that the Aragamilk is a watered down version of the powdered Aragamight. Even with the powder, I have to almost double the recommended dose to maintain the Ca levels.

I add it with my top-off water daily. I mix a one gallon jug up at a time with about 1.5 teaspoons of AragaMight, shake vigorously for about a minute and then drip the mix in my tank after it settles for 30 minutes or so.