What do I do? My calcium is too low

[C J Rodders]

The 90 gall. tank is four weeks old - Berlin System. I have 90 pounds of LR and 40 pounds of live sand (aragonite). Ammonia = 0, Nitrite = 0, Nitrate = 0.
The test for Calcium shows 320 mg/l(ppm). The test kit suggests a level of at least 400 to 450 mg/l(ppm).
What do I need to do? I am keen to add to the stock of 12 small soft corals soon. I am reluctant to use addatives unless absolutely necessary

 

[Mike and Donna]

Sorry CJ...but, you're going to have to add chemicals. Corals are going to use Calcium for growth. Even soft corals have tiny, thorn-like calcium structures inside their bodies.

Everyone has their own opinions on the best way to dose Ca. I have been using bIonic Alk and Ca dosing for a couple of years successfully. It is easy and my corals are all healthy. bIonic sells a dosing device (which I use) which works off a couple of aquarium air pumps. I have them set on timers so that twice a day the reef gets its semi-daily dose of Alk and Ca. Never fluctuates much, and I only adjust it as I add more Calcium gobbling corals.

 

[haven_knight]

I have also used the B-ionic and I had good results. Also do you plan on keeping any sps or lps corals in the tank as well. For a while I was the B-ionic with instant ocean and I didn't like the results of my calcium levels. Thats when I started playing around and decided to start using reef cyrstals I really like these results a lot better. If you are already using reef crstals you have to remember you have a four week old tank things are not stable yet.

 

[esmithiii]

I will swear by Kalkwasser.

E

 

[Rich-n-poor]

you can drip Kalwasser to increase calcium and/or use seachem Reef complete.
_________________
BT-4 Combat

 

[Anonymous]

Find out what your alkalinity is before you add chems. B-Ionic and kalkwasser both make a significant contribution to alkalinity for a small increase in calcium (0.5meq/l alk for an increase of 10ppm Ca++). Once you get the two matched up, those products work great and will keep alk and calcium in line.

If your alk is already in the desirable range (2.5-4.0 meq/l), you will need to add something like turbo calcium (CaCl2) to raise Ca++ without sending alk through the roof.

Ty

 

[Sea Serpent]

Go Slowly! - I see that your tank is only 4 weeks old. There is a lot of maturing left to do . .. It may not even have finished cycling! Add your corals one at a time and don't do too much too quickly.
B-Ionic is great, but monitor your chems carefully. Let things settle down.
Only my opionion.
Good luck!
Sea Serpent

 

[Sea Serpent]

Go Slowly! - I see that your tank is only 4 weeks old. There is a lot of maturing left to do . .. It may not even have finished cycling! Add your corals one at a time and don't do too much too quickly.
B-Ionic is great, but monitor your chems carefully. Let things settle down.
Only my opionion.
Good luck!
Sea Serpent

 

[Gatortailale1]

I would do a 10 - 20% water change. Most cost effective way to replenish chemicals, and it will help restore Ionic balance to your water.

B-ionic also effective, but at this early stage, assuming you haven't added many if any corals, water change will be the best thing for you.