Calcium Demands

AquaTDV · 05/07/2012, 09:31 PM

Hi all,
I am in need of some collective wisdom.

First a little background info.

300 gallon system(240 display) SPS and Clam dominated

3-175 MH 15k Iwasaki bulb (Luminarc mini reflectors)
3-15" Reefbrite XHO mounted to reflectors

2-Skimmers (needle wheel and beckett style)

25 gallon Xenia fuge, and 80 gallon sump/macro fuge

Clams

1-18" Gigas (2/08)

1-8" Teardrop Maxima (6/03)

1-6" Squamosa (8/11)

Question:

What are you guys with the clam dominated tanks using for calcium?

I am currently going through 2.5 gallons or 1-heaping tablespoon of Kalk every 2 days. This only brings my calcium to 240 I need to add an additional 1/4 cup of calcium chloride per day, and still that only brings me to 360. Several years ago I was running a Calcium reactor, but after I got the Gigas my calcium dropped from a stable 420-450 to 280 within a week or so. So I increased the CO2 and dripped to a steady stream. Just to see what the setting would need to be on the reactor just to keep up with the demands. I lost my nerve at the thought of the potential disaster that could await me if something went wrong. So I took it off line, and went to a simpler dosing pump system.

moliken · 05/08/2012, 04:53 AM

are you sure of the accuracy of your low ca measurements? what testing are you using? how's the mag, salinity, and ph. i use a geo reactor. np w/calcium. never dosed well, of course your clam load is bigger.

AquaTDV · 05/08/2012, 07:58 AM

Thank you for the response...

Because I've had issues with test kits before in the past I now buy 2 different Salifert kits with different exp. dates. The kits are reading within the margin of error.

Mag: 1350
PH-8.3-8.4 (normally 8.1-8.2 Kalk has raised this a bit.)
Salinity-.026-.027 (Instant Ocean Salt)
Alk-9.6-10.4

05/07/2012, 09:31 PM	#1
AquaTDV Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: San Antonio TX Posts: 286	Calcium Demands Hi all, I am in need of some collective wisdom. First a little background info. 300 gallon system(240 display) SPS and Clam dominated 3-175 MH 15k Iwasaki bulb (Luminarc mini reflectors) 3-15" Reefbrite XHO mounted to reflectors 2-Skimmers (needle wheel and beckett style) 25 gallon Xenia fuge, and 80 gallon sump/macro fuge Clams 1-18" Gigas (2/08) 1-8" Teardrop Maxima (6/03) 1-6" Squamosa (8/11) Question: What are you guys with the clam dominated tanks using for calcium? I am currently going through 2.5 gallons or 1-heaping tablespoon of Kalk every 2 days. This only brings my calcium to 240 I need to add an additional 1/4 cup of calcium chloride per day, and still that only brings me to 360. Several years ago I was running a Calcium reactor, but after I got the Gigas my calcium dropped from a stable 420-450 to 280 within a week or so. So I increased the CO2 and dripped to a steady stream. Just to see what the setting would need to be on the reactor just to keep up with the demands. I lost my nerve at the thought of the potential disaster that could await me if something went wrong. So I took it off line, and went to a simpler dosing pump system.

05/08/2012, 04:53 AM	#2
moliken Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: smyrna Posts: 3,536	are you sure of the accuracy of your low ca measurements? what testing are you using? how's the mag, salinity, and ph. i use a geo reactor. np w/calcium. never dosed well, of course your clam load is bigger. __________________ not obsessse--scuse me gotta check on the tank Current Tank Info: 75 and 65gals plumbed together, clams 12 fish. lps corals/ aquaillumination leds on the 75 and lovin them. t5's

05/08/2012, 07:58 AM	#3
AquaTDV Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: San Antonio TX Posts: 286	Thank you for the response... Because I've had issues with test kits before in the past I now buy 2 different Salifert kits with different exp. dates. The kits are reading within the margin of error. Mag: 1350 PH-8.3-8.4 (normally 8.1-8.2 Kalk has raised this a bit.) Salinity-.026-.027 (Instant Ocean Salt) Alk-9.6-10.4