How to raise Calcium levels?

[kyabk]

I have been trying to get my Ca levels up and have a few questions on how to do it exactly. The only additives I have put in my tank are B-Ionic Ca and Alk. I have been putting them in my tank for about 5 months now. My Alk levels are normal but the Ca levels never seem to go up at all. I have read in another post that someone recommended adding calk but I have one problem. What is calk? I know that probably sounds really stupid to all you experts but I guess I am still learning. Is calk and kalkwasser the same thing? Are they brand names or chemical names? Most importantly if I should add calk or kalkwasser to my tank how should I add it? Should I drip it in? Below are my specs. Thanks in advance.

90Gal, 70-80lbs live rock
red sea protein skimmer
magnum 350
5" sand bed
PH 8.3, Nitrate 5, Nitrite 0, Amonia 0,
livestock - 2 clowns, jaw head, angel

 

[PeeJ]

I don't know jack about chemicals and additives. cal or kalk reactor would get it up. then you wouldnt have to dose some of that stuff...i think.

its expensive for a reactor, but i mean at least you are getting somethin you can use for a long time and at least sell it when you want to. those damn additives are freakin spensive

 

[Anonymous]

Reactor won't necessarily correct a deficiency in ca / alk but will keep levels stable. You will need to use a 3rd party additive to get your levels up - maybe a 2 part additive or possibly something like Turbo Calcium to get you calcium levels up.

 

[imsqueak]

Kalk is nothing more than pickling lime which is on your grocer's shelf. Dont bother with Kent's or others unless you want to go to the difficult end of the next comment. Kalc can be the simplest thing you can add, or one of the more difficult. Choices are, dump in powder to your sump (origin/from tank area)(not highly recommended but some do it with sucess) I do it occassionally ~ when really lazy and water's not low. Next is slurry, pour 1 tbs (55-75g tank) powder to your daily top off amount of water (5oz -2g), swish, swirl, dump in sump (origin area). Third is dripping: use a jug to gravitate kalk water down to your sump (to return area). Simple as a 2 ltr bottle w/ air hose 1" from bottom or glued into it - to a 5g jug w I.V. drip or even dosing pump.


When you've gotten sick of daily top offs you will instal a top-off system. Then you will have to have a Kalk or Calc/reactor which is where the money/complexity comes from. I still like spending the time tankside daily as opposed to $200-$1000: top-off + reactor (55g-110g) . When I get tried of daily top-off I'll diy it for about $100-200(not calc). Check the web for lots of plans and post yours when you diy it so others will learn.

Hope this helps.
Squeak

 

[PeeJ]

just goes to show all i know is my skimmer smells horrible right now

 

[JeffK]

Hi imsqueak,

Isn't 1 tbs kind of a high dose for adding kalk as a slurry? Wouldn't it cause a substantial pH spike? The reason I ask is, everything you read about adding kalk empasizes the importance of dosing it slowly to prevent excessive pH increases.

Jeff

 

[Carpentersreef]

kyabk,

What exactly is your calcium level now?
Also, what is your magnesium level?

Mitch

 

[kyabk]

My Ca levels are at 200PPM. They will not go above that. I have never tested for Magnesium...? Should I?

 

[Carpentersreef]

200ppm is pretty low, so low that I would question the accuracy of your test kit, especially if you've been adding B-Ionic! Can you get another test kit to compare it to?
Also, your magnesium level can affect your calcium reading, so get a test kit for that, too. The mg level should be around 1300 ppm.

Mitch

 

[Anonymous]

I don't know chemistry for .... but I've heard it can be a mother to raise calc when it gets that low.. (And from my experience "they" are right..)

I also hear Calicium Chloride is a way to raise it back up to manageable levels but I've never tried it... - Anyone wanna chime in with good, bad or indifferent...?

Mine was pretty low (220) before I did a 95% water change.. Now I'll keep a closer eye and drip kalk before it gets that low.. :wink:

(Mine tested that low with Salifert and Seachem..)

 

[Leopardshark]

I think turbo calcium would do a nice job in here, you could add as much to raise ca levels in 50 ppm without any danger I think.
ANyway, performing a big water change would help a lot. Also keeping your DOC´s in check is a big thing to consider because they create acids, which consume ca.
So you have some work to do.
Marco