Calcium Consumption

Tight Lipped · 08-26-2008, 10:46 AM

I noticed that over the last few months I have not had to dose any calcium at all, this all started awhile back when I had a problem getting the calcium over 350, then it was suggested here to get the magnesium levels up over 1200, i did this with Epsom salt and the the calcium came up to around 450.

Well this was back in the winter and I have not had to dose one time since then, all I have done was add a cap of purple-up daily (some days were missed).

Just tested the water the other day after a thorough tank cleaning and 10% change

Mg is 1200
Ca is 450
PH 8.2
Po are .01
water temp is 76

I have lost some corals, I lost my elegance as many here predicted based on pics I posted and I also lost my Kenya Tree, this was beautiful then started to shrivel up, I think it was due to high water temps as I was not monitoring it and it got up to 82.

My salinity is a little low I will be bringing it up shortly.

I was also getting some weird growths

on the rock what appears to be sponges in green and yellow and in the sand something with very spaghetti like tentacles

Daniel072 · 08-26-2008, 11:05 AM

nope not due to water temps as I and many others keep their temps at that level. Now if you jumped from 76 - 82 in an hour or so that could have been a big issue. Now on to the Ca. You are most likely keeping your Ca up with purple up. BE CAREFUL with this product. Purple up has iodine in it. Iodine in concentrated enough amounts can be very toxic to your animals. I would go with just a straight 2 part solutions like b-ionic or 2 little fishes 2 part.

Tight Lipped · 08-26-2008, 12:06 PM

U think the PU killed my Kenya? My fish and inverts have been ok.

Should I stop for awhile, let the Ca come down then use Kalwasser?

Aslo, Do i have enought light, I have 4 110W t12 HO bulbs, 2 white 2 actinic?

Otty · 08-26-2008, 06:59 PM

I would not add any purple up as coralline will come with time on a healthy tank. You also need to bring your Mg up and that will press your Ca down a bit. Mg should be around 1400. Also need to know what your dHK is?

railroader46 · 08-26-2008, 07:02 PM

Mg should be around 1400. Cal should come down slowly but should be about 400. Once mg stabilizes your dkh should come up .

pharmrjohn · 08-27-2008, 01:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Otty

I would not add any purple up as coralline will come with time on a healthy tank.....

Too true. I am just beginning to delve into a more complete understanding of ALK, Ca, Mg, pH and I. There is much to learn in this hobby of ours. But one thing I have read over and over. Avoid PU.

pharmrjohn · 08-27-2008, 01:41 AM

Oh, and I seem to remember that Kenya Trees are sensitive to ALK levels. I think high levels are bad. Don't really know. But that was something that was dropped in one of the threads. I believe it was about Xenia. Xenia does well at an dKH of 11 or so. But then someone chimed in that Kenya trees may not fare well under such conditions.

Any input from the pros would be appreciated on this one.

Daniel072 · 08-27-2008, 02:51 AM

I'll tell you my friend that I have just recently set up a tank for a good friend of mine "cannedmulder" is her name and she is getting coralline faster than I have ever seen it grow. I would say the back of her tank is about 30 percent covered in maybe 2 or 3 months and she just recently started dosing "little" 2 part.

Tight Lipped · 08-27-2008, 05:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daniel072

I'll tell you my friend that I have just recently set up a tank for a good friend of mine "cannedmulder" is her name and she is getting coralline faster than I have ever seen it grow. I would say the back of her tank is about 30 percent covered in maybe 2 or 3 months and she just recently started dosing "little" 2 part.

What is little?

Also, I had a xenia that died away a few months ago now my Kenya so i will be checking the Alk, Dkh and getting the Mg up

Tangster · 08-27-2008, 09:20 AM

Its nothing magical about any dose of anything its all about Ca, Carbonates and magnesium for coralline . matters not what you use to get the levels there I have always had more then I wanted even using my own buffers and ca supplements . Purple Up is nothing more then what many rinse from their aragonite sand mixed with some glycerin to thicken it up. I can and have mixed up a liquid that you could not tell from P/U and sent the recipe to a guy who now bottles and sells it for 1/2 of what P/C cost and 5x what the stuff cost to make per qt. and all are saying it works as well if not better ? P/U is not made to be used as a stand alone supplement for Ca or carbonates Mag .