calcium/alkalinity question

[scott711]

I have been dosing kalk for sometime and I have noticed that my alk in my tank stays on the higher end (~10) and I have a problem keeping the calcium up to a good level (it used to be in the low 300's). To counter the lower calcium I have been adding turbo calcium which has brought it up to about 400.

 

Any thoughts?

[JC Pollman]

What is your magnesium level? It can make a big difference keeping your calcium up.

[scott711]

I haven't tested MG recently. I will test and see.

[JC Pollman]

A couple of articles you might want to read:

 

Everything you always wanted to know about magnesium, but were afraid to ask:

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/oct2003/chem.htm

Near the bottom is the discussion about calcium and magnesium

 

The affordable way to keep calcium and magnesium levels up:

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-02/rhf/index.php

 

And a nice calculator to figure out how much stuff to add:

http://home.comcast.net/~jdieck1/chem_calc3.html

[flowerseller]

So you're one of those huh? I would'nt have figured.

Must you fix something that is clearly not broken?

 

 

One thing to consider for those in a similar situation, like I usually find myself.

If you add kalk for all evap, you generally will run ALK on the higher side as a direct result.

Conversly, you may find your total calcium on the mid to low range which is fine, persay.

Just like you are doing, you can then safely add calcium chloride to boost the calcium level since you have a denser ALK level to draw from.

 

Sit back and enjoy Scottie boy, I'll bet within 60 days you'll have an explostion of coraline algae to boot.

[scott711]

Chip your too funny

 

I drip kalk in addition to a RO/DI water for evap. The only reason I was adding calcium chloride was to keep the calcium level up. I thought when you dose Kalk it raises both the alk and calcium levels. Wouldn't a low MG level keep the alk level down too?

[flowerseller]

The low MG value would actually have to be pretty darn low to cause the problem many non experts claim it does. It sounds really good though as long as it's said with authority.

Yes, low values can cause problems in maintaining it, but a big ole blast of calcium chloride is going to raise the PPM in your water. It's also going to lower your ALK over time. SEESAW effect.

My MG is impossible to keep above 1320 and everytime I check it, (salifert) that is where it is. I add nothing for it and from what I see online, it's on the mid lower end.

 

I use both a calcium and kalk reactor and still have to add turbo calcium to stay around 450 (salifert) with ALK value 10.2 (salifert).

 

That said, for the avid readers of water chemistry who will jump in and say it's because your MG is low, bunk.....

Everytime some guru posts a "finding", the mass rushes out to get the test kit and product.

 

A good water exchange schedule adheared to religiously will almost always keep these miner trace elements in check. No one has mentioned the need keep nitrate low or zero which will also have an effect of calcification which is actually more important than an elevated calcium level. If it's not calcifing, it's not growing and calcium, ALK and MG are not the only things responsible.

 

We'll all be testing for ginkobona by the time it's all over.

 

Unless your frags have stopped growing, I'd keep doing what you're doing.