View Full Version : Anyone having issues with TM BioCalcium?
my2girls
03/31/2010, 05:53 PM
I've been using Tropic Marin BioCalcium to supplement Ca/dKH for years with no problems. My colorful SPS are not looking as good lately, with less PE and minor STN (so far, fingers crossed). The only thing I've done differently in the last month is open a new tub of BioCalcium and try the new TM Reef Activ with my last 3 water changes. I test dKH once or twice per day- always 7-8. Rarely do I test for Ca, but when the corals started looking bad I tested it. Ca=800 :eek2: The corals have pretty much shut down. For the time being I'm dosing baking soda for dKH while I wait for the Ca to come down on its own. No more Reef Activ either.
Any thoughts?
TIA
Billybeau1
03/31/2010, 10:08 PM
I kinda doubt your calcium level is 800 ppm. Testing issues I believe in some form or another.
I am not familiar with the new product, but at this point I would stop using it until you can get a grip on this.
What brand kits are you using to test calcium and alkalinity ?
Percula9
03/31/2010, 10:16 PM
If the calcium was 800ppm there would be some precipitation. Testing error most likely.
bertoni
03/31/2010, 11:49 PM
That does sound like a testing error. What's in Reef Activ, and has anything else been dosed into the system?
Gromert
04/01/2010, 12:50 AM
What salt mix are you using?
Have been using TM Bio-Calcium Reef actif with no such problems. The new version of Bio-calcium has a different dosage recomendation.
Randy Holmes-Farley
04/01/2010, 06:13 AM
The new version of Bio-calcium has a different dosage recomendation.
Do you know why? Did they change what it is?
my2girls
04/01/2010, 06:36 AM
I will double check that 800 reading with a different test kit. I was using a Red Sea kit.
I know a fellow reefer who is have the same problem and he actually asked me about it first. We are both experienced reef keepers.
I use a 50/50 Instant Ocean/Oceanic salt mix. Have done this for 5 years no problems.
I was not aware of any changes to the TM BioCalcium in terms of dosage. :hmm2:
bertoni
04/01/2010, 02:39 PM
I would expect the alkalinity to rise along with the calcium, if the problem was with a more-concentrated version of BioCalcium. I suspect a testing error, but it might be elsewhere. Have you tried stirring the dry formula thoroughly, in case it's a settling problem?
my2girls
04/01/2010, 05:45 PM
Thanks for all the responses guys. The new tub of BioCalcium has the same dosing instructions- nothing different there.
Talking with a friend, we kinda figured out that most likely my problems are due to the addition of TM Reef Actif (mentioned above). I have an expired batch. This is the product with the new dosing instructions. I did notice that after the first use that the coral polyps retracted. At the time, I thought it was a feeding response. I think in retrospect that it just ****ed my corals off.
smatter
04/01/2010, 11:39 PM
I was monitoring alkalinity only while using Bio Calcium and my calcium was over 500 when I tested it. The instructions on the container say to measure calcium in order to determine the amount needed. I have been doing it this way and the alkalinity seems to stay stable.
Randy Holmes-Farley
04/02/2010, 07:16 AM
IMO, it would be much better to monitor alkalinity than calcium. If you tried to use it to boost calcium, the alk would go through the roof. There are lots of folks who've done that and had very high alkalinity since they did not know or fully understand how it supplies alkalinity.
The other way around is never a problem, because a big alkalinity boost ends up being a small alkalinity boost.
swanny
04/02/2010, 07:51 AM
I just had that problem Randy. I didn't realize it was going to send my alkalinity through the roof and I recently lost some sps's. I did a few wc's and everything seems fine. My 2 part from brs should be here tuesday, I won't make that mistake again.
Gromert
04/02/2010, 11:04 AM
It says on the new tub that 1 scoop raise alkalinity with 1,5 kh / 100 L and Ca 10 mg/L. There is no such info concerning alkalinity on the original tub. Only that 1 scoop / 36 L increase Ca with 28 mg/ L. Another problem is that TMC delivers different size of tubs with different size of scoops, 5ml and 10 ml. A bit confusing actually. I measure kh weekly to keep the optimum level and once a month Ca. I have experienced the same problem as Swanny.
swanny
04/02/2010, 01:18 PM
No wonder, I have the old tub that doesn't mention the rise in Alk. Killed a bunch of expensive acrso's! A neverending learning process I swear.
Randy Holmes-Farley
04/02/2010, 01:50 PM
I'm very glad they changed the description to make the alk contribution apparent, but I'm sorry to hear about your corals, swanny. :(
swanny
04/02/2010, 01:54 PM
Thanks Randy, I've been reading your articles like crazy these last few weeks. I can't say thanks enough! I'm starting your 2 part next week, hopefully that solves my problems. Any beginner advice for two part?
Randy Holmes-Farley
04/02/2010, 02:07 PM
A two part is a good way to go, whether commercial or DIY.
For either one, the dosing advice I give for the DIY applies, although the commercial ones are a bit more potent (needing less dosed) and most do not have a third part for the magnesium:
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-02/rhf/index.php#15
swanny
04/02/2010, 02:26 PM
Awesome Randy, thanks again.
Randy Holmes-Farley
04/03/2010, 06:55 AM
:thumbsup:
Happy Reefing. :)
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