Need to raise my calcium

[Jimsreef]

Well I just bought my first calcium reactor and I need to raise my calcium. I tested it twice with a salifert test kit and it read 350 both times. I bought kent turbo calcium and the directions on the side say to add 1/8 tsp per 50 gals lightly stocked. I used the reef chemistry calculator http://home.comcast.net/~jdieck1/chem_calc3.html and it says for my 90 gallon tank to raise it from 350 to 450 I would need 27.3 tsp's. I'm a little confused. My dkh is 9.6 and mag is 1120. The calculator says that balanced alkalinity to 450 calcium is 12 dkh do I want to shoot for this or? Jim

[jumpincactus]

I am going to hitchike this thread as I need the same answers you are looking for........... Someone please pipe in :)

[PatMayo]

I'm no expert, but the first thing I would do is get my mag up to 1250 to 1350. I use ESV liquid magnesium. You need to get the mag up before you add the calcium.

Once you get the magnesium up you can just mix the described amount (I use that calculator as well) up in some RO/DI water and you can add it all at once to the tank. It won't hurt it at all.

Ignore the balanced alkalinity thing, it does not apply. Once you get the calcium up to where it needs to be then you can use the reactor to keep it there, I guess. I don't use a calcium reactor so I can't help you with that. I dose limewater and if I have to add a little extra, I use Randy's 2 part formula to keep things where they need to be.

I hope this helps a little.

Limewater is a balanced additive. Calcium and Alkalinity typically should be added in the same amounts.

These articles may help.

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-05/rhf/index.php

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

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/feb2003/chem.htm

Regards,

Pat

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Forget the bottle directions (which are for maintenance, not rapidly boosting levels) and follow the calculator. You can add it all at once to a high flow area after dissolving it in some fresh water. Forget also the balanced alkalinity part. Target calcium and alkalinity independently (380-450 ppm Ca++and 2.5-4 meq/L (7-11 dKH) for alkalinity).

[Jimsreef]

So I can put 27 tsp's of kent turbo in ro/di water and let it desolve and add it to the sumps high flow all at once? I'm going to try to find some mag flake today to try to get the mag up. I'll get some epson salt if I cant find it. Will this be the last time I have to add a calcium supplement once I get it up to 430-450 since I have added a calcium reactor or do I need to pick up a bag of calcium while I am at home depot. Thanks for the info. Jim

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

So I can put 27 tsp's of kent turbo in ro/di water and let it desolve and add it to the sumps high flow all at once?

Yes. Adding it a bit more slowly is also fine. :)

You probably will not need routine dosing of calcium if you have a reactor, as long as your salt mix does not drag it back down (I boost the IO that I use).

[Jimsreef]

Ok got a 4 lb bag of epson salts. The calculator says I need 39.3 ounces to raise my mag to 1350. The 4 lb bag would be 64 ounces right. so half the bag would be 32 ounces. Is this right. Jim

[bertoni]

I think 1250 is fine for Mg, and I wouldn't dose anything just yet. I get 261.3 grams; 9.2 oz using the calculator, assuming 70g of actual water in the tank.

[Jimsreef]

I think I have about 110 total water counting sump and allowing for the rock in the 90 gallon. So 1250 is as high as you recommend? Jim

[bertoni]

I think the recommendation is something around 1275 ppm. This article goes over all the water parameters, including Mg:

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-05/rhf/index.php

Forgot to post that link... Sigh.

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Yes, half of a 4 pound container is 32 ounces. :)

[Jimsreef]

Got My mag up to 1300 and calcium up to 480 and dkh is 9. How do i get the calcium down a little. I added less kent turbo calcium than the calculator said. Jim

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

The calcium is fine where it is. Just don't add any more for a while if you want it lower, and it will come down on its own. :)

[Jimsreef]

Even with the calcium reactor? Jim

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

I personally wouldn't worry about lowering it, but if you want to lower it, I'd reduce the CO2 rate for a while and supplement alkalinity with baking soda for a while as needed. Then when calcium is down, raise the CO2 rate as necessary to maintain alkalinity (which will also maintain calcium).