TBS live rock and calcium levels?

geminiluna · 02/25/2004, 12:29 PM

Hi everyone. I have a 20-H tank with TBS live rock and the myriad of critters that came with (either from "package" or hitchikers). Among the hitchikers are several decent-sized angel wing clams (at least I think that's what Richard suggested they were). I've noticed that the edges of their shells are beginning to look brittle, as if separating between the layers and I'm wondering if this is a problem with low calcium levels. Or maybe iodine? My Ca measured at 390 ppm using two different test manufacturers. Alk at 4 meq/l. Iodide at 0.02. Ph at 8.0. I dose 5mL Bionic (part 1 & 2) daily. And I use ReefCrystals with 20% water change weekly.

I know this could easily go in the reef chemistry forum, but I'm really curious about what TBS suggests or what fellow TBS-customers do with their tanks.

I do not keep any coral livestock other than what was already growing on the rock. But there is a countless number of crabs and other critters that came on the rock (my favorite being the banded porcelain crab that lets me hand feed Cyclopeze!). I want to be sure everyone is kept healthy!

I just want to be sure I'm keeping my Ca and other levels appropriate for the type of things we find in TBS live rock.

Thanks all!

shanekennedy · 02/25/2004, 01:37 PM

my Ca has always tested 380-400
ph 7.9-8.1
i replace evaporation w/ kalk water
have automated 1gal change-out per day on 75gal tank w/ IO
haven't added anything yet but tbs rock
clams look healthy
never tested or dosed iodine

hdtran · 02/25/2004, 08:09 PM

390ppm calcium is well within accepted levels.

02/25/2004, 12:29 PM	#1
geminiluna Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Frankfort, IN Posts: 289	TBS live rock and calcium levels? Hi everyone. I have a 20-H tank with TBS live rock and the myriad of critters that came with (either from "package" or hitchikers). Among the hitchikers are several decent-sized angel wing clams (at least I think that's what Richard suggested they were). I've noticed that the edges of their shells are beginning to look brittle, as if separating between the layers and I'm wondering if this is a problem with low calcium levels. Or maybe iodine? My Ca measured at 390 ppm using two different test manufacturers. Alk at 4 meq/l. Iodide at 0.02. Ph at 8.0. I dose 5mL Bionic (part 1 & 2) daily. And I use ReefCrystals with 20% water change weekly. I know this could easily go in the reef chemistry forum, but I'm really curious about what TBS suggests or what fellow TBS-customers do with their tanks. I do not keep any coral livestock other than what was already growing on the rock. But there is a countless number of crabs and other critters that came on the rock (my favorite being the banded porcelain crab that lets me hand feed Cyclopeze!). I want to be sure everyone is kept healthy! I just want to be sure I'm keeping my Ca and other levels appropriate for the type of things we find in TBS live rock. Thanks all!

02/25/2004, 08:09 PM	#3
hdtran Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Albuquerque, NM Posts: 846	390ppm calcium is well within accepted levels. __________________ Hy D. Tran Required reading: John Tullock's books; Bob Fenner's books. Current Tank Info: 120g with 145# TBS LR, 700W VHO lighting, 5g (24") hang-on Aquafuge, AquaC Remora Pro skimmer, all sumpless

02/25/2004, 01:37 PM	#2
shanekennedy Premium Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Pittsboro, NC Posts: 380	my Ca has always tested 380-400 ph 7.9-8.1 i replace evaporation w/ kalk water have automated 1gal change-out per day on 75gal tank w/ IO haven't added anything yet but tbs rock clams look healthy never tested or dosed iodine