Calcium Level

[koga57]

120 gallon mixed reef (mainly sps, lps, 2 clams, ricordia, xenia, devils hand).

History of Tests:

July 29

PH 8.0
CA 285
ALK 14.8
MG 1360

Began to lower ALK

July 31

PH 8.2
CA 290
ALK 12.5
MG 1350

Aug 3

PH 8.2
CA 280
ALK 9.9
MG 1300

Aug 8

PH 8.2
CA 290
ALK 9.2
MG 1310

Aug 13

PH 8.2
CA 310
ALK 9.2
MG 1320

Began to dose Turbo Calcium on 8/14/06

PH 8.2
CA 300
ALK 9.5
MG 1300

Aug 16

PH 8.2
CA 290
ALK 9.5
MG not tested

I dose with ESV B-Ionic

Why can I not get the Caclium level up to say 380 - 420?

The tank looks awesome, there is nothing hurting at all. Clam growth good, SPS growth good, LPS polyps excellent.

All CA, PH, ALK tests are Salifert.

SALT: Tropic Marin Pro


David

 

[nobody]

Did you verify Ca against another test kit?

 

[blide]

Do a couple of big water changes and keep dosing... Oh and from the looks of things your not dosing enough because your calcium bioload is higher.

 

[TCU Reefer]

Turbo calcium is strong stuff but as Bill said before, your tank's Ca consumption may me more rapid than your dsoing schedule.

I would continue to dose until your Ca falls withing an acceptable range. You may want to increase the amount you're doing just by a little bit.

Are you doing 1/8 teaspoon per 50 gallons currrently?

When I was having high dKH readings, my Ca was very low (290 ppm) but a few days of letting the dKH fall and dosing Kent Turbo Calcium, my alk tested at 9.6 and my Ca at 420.

 

[koga57]

I have been dosing the recommended amount however it is obviously not enough.

I then found this calculator. I am not going to add the necessary amount at one time. I will add it over at least 4 days.

david

http://home.comcast.net/~jdieck1/chem_calc3.html

 

[Lee1]

David,

Thanks for the post to the slick calculator.

Lee

 

[koga57]

Stop all of the two part and just boost the calcium to 420 ppm with a big dose or two of the turbo calcium, as per the calculator above.

Then restart just the two part.


__________________
Randy Holmes-Farley
Want to talk chemistry? Try the Reef Chemistry Forum at Reef Central

This is what the Chemist on reefcentral advised. I am now up to 410 on Calcium.

David

 

[TCU Reefer]

RHF definitely knows what's up.

Let us know what your levels test at in a few days.

 

[koga57]

Will do. Back on Saturday.

David

 

[BigSteve]

I LOVE turbo calcium...its what i use to get up to par b/4 setting my reactor.

 

[koga57]

Upon my return on Saturday, the calcium level was 390. It dropped a little over the course of 2 days, but very satisfactory.


David