A Bunch of Questions

[Lenny718]

420 is a good calcium level so I wouldn't dose anything yet, just monitor it and dose as needed to keep your levels on point. Everyone is different but these are the levels that I like to keep my tank at,

Calcium 420 ppm
Alk 9 DKH
Mag 1350-1400

 

[richardhmc]

So my tank is fine right now, and no need to dose anything I assume. Good to hear that.

 

[Lenny718]

So my tank is fine right now, and no need to dose anything I assume. Good to hear that.

If your test are correct you are fine and do not need to add anything at the moment. If I where you I would test daily till you get an Idea of how much cal and alk your tank consumes and you will know when you have to add or most important when not to lol.

 

[richardhmc]

Okay great. thanks!

 

[richardhmc]

After a week, I tested my parameters and it is exactly the same, except for alkalinity which went down by 2 dkh. my calc is still 440. this is interesting because I use instant ocean salt which is meant for FO tanks and I still get these nice parameters. I guess I don't even need to use 2 part bionic.

 

[richardhmc]

Does 420 ppm of calcium and 450 ppm of calcium have a great impact on the corals? Or is it not even differentiable??

 

[richardhmc]

If not, then I'll just depend on water changes for maintaining levels.

 

[KathyC]

If not, then I'll just depend on water changes for maintaining levels.

Water changes & testing

 

[richardhmc]

I don't get why people dose then if the salts already give parameters good enough for reef tanks. Doesn't it overkill the tank with the dosages?

 

[KathyC]

I don't get why people dose then if the salts already give parameters good enough for reef tanks. Doesn't it overkill the tank with the dosages?

Some tanks use more of certain things in the salt mix. Tanks with heavy amounts of SPS use a lot more calcium than a tank with sofites in it - for example. Softie tanks with heavy coralline algae use more Ca too...another example.
So yes, some folks do need to dose to keep their parameters balanced.

Dirty/old sand tanks can have alk issues. Tanks with low pH can throw off all of the numbers...

Salt mixes are NOT made equally - some have high Ca, others have high Alk, some lack other things and some have too much of everything...so dosing does play a part there too.

Yes, sometimes folks overdo it with the dosing and that can be harmful to their corals.

...and that's why testing is so important

 

[richardhmc]

ahh okay thanks for the response!
What is the max amount of calcium that corals can handle? I know alkalinitywise it should be about 10dkh

 

[masterswimmer]

Some tanks use more of certain things in the salt mix. Tanks with heavy amounts of SPS use a lot more calcium than a tank with sofites in it - for example. Softie tanks with heavy coralline algae use more Ca too...another example.
So yes, some folks do need to dose to keep their parameters balanced.

Dirty/old sand tanks can have alk issues. Tanks with low pH can throw off all of the numbers...

Salt mixes are NOT made equally - some have high Ca, others have high Alk, some lack other things and some have too much of everything...so dosing does play a part there too.

Yes, sometimes folks overdo it with the dosing and that can be harmful to their corals.

...and that's why testing is so important

+1 Well said Kath

If you keep your Ca at 450, you'll be safe.

Russ

 

[richardhmc]

yup thanks! I'll just stick to my 40% weekly water changes. I prefer the idea of adding fresh new water rather than using chemicals to change parameters in old water.