Need to raise calcium

[Oblivionis]

My tank has been running for over a year now. Few months ago I started to dose limewater (with vinegar to keep pH lower). Calcium is testing at 350 ppm. What would be the best and most affordable way to bring it up to 450 ppm? I'm assuming once I get it up there Kalk will keep it there.

[disc1]

You can use CaCl₂ to bump it up and then yes your kalk should keep it there.


Aha, check out that subscript.

[Oblivionis]

Awesome subscript.... but I don't know how to use CaCl2. Any links to instructions?

[disc1]

Kent's turbo calcium is pure anhydrous CaCl₂ and comes with instructions. If you want to use regular bulk like from BRS, then use the reef chemistry calculator (http://reef.diesyst.com/chemcalc/chem_calc3.html) to figure out the dose.

Dissolve it in RODI water and add to the tank slowly.

[HighlandReefer]

Which salt mix are you using?

If you are using a low calcium level salt mix like Instant Ocean, you may have to bump up the calcium in your salt mix at water change time. ;)

[Oblivionis]

I'm using Reef Crystals but I would say my calcium demand is still low. A lot of SPS frags but no major colonies.

[HighlandReefer]

Reef Crystals is not low in calcium, so you should be fine there. ;)

[Useful_Idiot]

If you don't think your demand is much and your doing regular wc's and adding limewater, check the CA of some new water or have someone else check your CA. I had a test kit go bad and took me awhile to figure that out. I kept adding calcium and it wasn't going up much. Turned out my calcium was testing at 360 but really was 500.

[Oblivionis]

Good point. I was doing a water change 2 days ago.... I should've tested that water for calcium. I think I'll check new water before I start trying to increase calcium.