Maintaining Calcium through Water Changes

[tomocean]

Just wondering if anybody has had success maintaining Calcium levels without supplements solely through the use of water changes. I know that alot depends on what type of animals are kept, but I'm just curious if anybody has had success doing this in a reef aquarium.

 

[jmeader]

It's been my experience that most salts don't have enough calcium to begin with. They are often short on magnesium also.

 

[wwinters]

I am curios also,

What about water changes with the Catalina water we get here in So. Cal?

 

[danmhippo]

The last time I tested Ca on Catalina water (June?) the calcium level is around 330. Not that bad. Haven't been testing them recently.

 

[jdeets]

Give EmilyB a buzz and get her opinion. I know for a fact she maintains all of her tanks on water changes alone with no supplements, and has had success in the hobby for quite some time. Her insights would be valuable if she happens onto this thread.

 

[tomocean]

OK...I did some more research and it appears as though Instant Ocean (the salt I use) does contain all of the major trace elements, including calcium. Several tests performed on freshly mixed water shows calcium levels between 380-400. I still think it would depend heavily on what you might be keeping in your tank, but it seems possible. Anyone else out there with thoughts or experiences to share?

 

[EmilyB]

Absolutely and without a doubt.

Whenever things are out of whack, and someone has been messing with Ca additives and buffers, the first thing that is done is to bring things back into line with water changes, to get things back into balance.

Different salts mixes provide different Ca levels, and also note: salinity will affect the Ca reading.

I have totally maintained my 72g with water changes of 15-20% every two weeks.

I am moving the tank over to a larger one very soon, and will continue that.

This is what it's looking like right now, note I only have a few SPS frags.
http://www.members.home.net/d.hadford/72gPreMove

 

[Anonymous]

I think Tom keeps hitting the nail on the head. Depends on what you keep. I have four clams. Not the extreemly colorful ones, just Gulf clams that need very little light. I like them for their hardyness and filtering contributions. They do come with a price. Calcium absorbtion. I do not beleive I could maitain through water changes alone unless it was so frequent I would learn to despise my Reef. I have been entertaining the thought of some very colorful ones since installing the MH a month ago. Oh well gotta go mix some kalk, I mean balls pickling lime