Calcium Maintanence

[asunshine]

I have had a hard time maintaining a normal Ca level in my tank. My levels run in the 300-350 range despite daily calcium supplement with a Ca-HCO3 supplement. I am reluctant to use the Ca Chloride supplements commercially available and am looking into Ca reactors. I supplement weekly with Strontium and Magnesium and my pH runs at 8.2 all the time. any suggestions? thanks

[dragon_slayer]

what is your salinity?

low salinity makes it dificult to keep Ca levels up. and even thought your adding Mg, what are your current levels?

kc

[asunshine]

My S.G. is 1.024. My Magnesium is 1250 ppm (mg/l). My alkalinity is 3.5 meq/l. The Seachem kit that I am using recommends it to be 4-5 meq/l. My pH is 8.2 despite a lowish buffering capacity. I checked out this website and it has some recommendations(http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/mar2002/chem.htm). What do you think? Thanks for your time and interest.

[dragon_slayer]

everything seams to be in check, your Alk is fine where it's at.

give this artical a look over it may help you out.

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

kc

[asunshine]

Based on that article, I would end up in Zone 3. How do you feel about using CaCl for calcium supplementation? Do you think you get optimal skeletal growth? Is CaCl the long term solution here or just to get the calcium level normalized?

[dragon_slayer]

if you constantly use CaCl without regular water changes you can end up with allot of Cl in your tank which with gives you pretty much table salt in your system, not a good idea.

i use it to give Ca a boost in a tank that is low or in newly made water that needs a little kick to get it up. i dont use it for regular additions.

hth
kc

[asunshine]

Thank you for your help and prompt reply. Ido you have a recommendation on a Ca Reactor and where to get it?

[dragon_slayer]

i've setup quite a few different ones and i still prefer the Korallin myself.

i dont recommend any online place other then Premium Aquatics, they are a great bunch of guys and their customer service is second to none.

for your 215g tank, i'd recommend the C-4002 model.
Click here for the 4002 (http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=PA&Product_Code=M3-C-4002&Category_Code=creactor)

hth
kc

[asunshine]

I am wondering why the C-1501 is not adequate for a 215G tank and why you feel the C-4001 works better in my situation. Thanks again for your thoughts.

[dragon_slayer]

i honestly think the suggested tank size is drasticaly over rated and the 1502 is IMO acceptable on tanks less then 150g with a moderate Ca demand and can be used on up to 200g with lesser demands.

the next size up is the 3002 which is more then enough for a 215g system with a heavy demand, but the price difference between it and the 4002 IMO justifies getting the larger of the two.

just my opinion though.
kc

[asunshine]

What pump do you get to work best with the C-4001? Is it hard to setup the unit? Can it be setup in the sump? where do you get the Co2 bottle or do I buy the whole package together?