ph boosters

[Tangster]

Ca and carbonates are like oil and water to keep it simple and many thing that they will not mix well or stay in solution with one another but they will when the proper emulsifier is used. And in the relationship between Carbonates and Calcium the magnesium ie. Epsom salts is the emulsifier.. Also the magnesium allows the corals to up take the carbonates . But the magnesium level of sea water is 1,200 PPm I like mine as many other a little higher I keep mine around 1,500 PPM Ca at 500 and alk at a full syringe with sailfert and I use DKH ad I keep mine at 15 to 16 DKH. If you spike the carbonates really high ad really fast that will drive the Ca out of solution as it will form calcium carbonates a white chalk you never want to see in your tank. But people who keep sps type corals have to keep this all in balance by using Ca reactors and or K/W and also adding some extra buffers and calcium to supplement.. But again if you spike them really high and really fast you will see that white carbonates from hell thi is why Kalk and Ca reactor dosings are done slowly..And as a rule at night. Look around for info on magnesium its there to be read I'm sure

[euthyphro]

Thank you very much, It is greatly, Greatly, GREATLY appreciated... I now understand what to do.

[amcarrig]

Originally Posted by djnzlab1

Here's the blurb ((CaribSea aragaMILK

Aragamilk is indeed a great product but I prefer to buy the powdered Aragamight and add my own water. It's cheaper that way

[Aquilibria]

Originally Posted by djnzlab1

HI,
I have found a product that has trace elements Ca++ and carbonate, it is balanced and is slow to release the ALK buffer when used as directed , I don't worry much about PH or CA++ they have been right on the mark PH is pushing 8.4, and the fish seem happy.
Its called argonite-milk its made from super refined argonite rock that hs been mixed with water, the only down, is if you add it to fast it will precip out into a solid so I let only about 20 drops drop slowly in the water at the water out-put for the sump and it turns the water milky for about 1 hour then clears. Its a no-brainer for newbies and fixes that problem that many skimmers cause of lowering trace, I still add Iodine twice a week.
Here's the blurb ((CaribSea aragaMILK




The new, easy way to add balanced calcium, carbonate buffer, and essential trace elements like strontium, magnesium, barium to your marine or hard water aquarium. aragaMilk uses the power of natural aragonite for flash mineralization, plus the boost of magnesium to aid in coraline algae growth. No two parts to mix, no risk of overdose. aragaMILK is safe, easy, and effective.))


coraline formation and ca deposits are a indication of good water in my book and cleaning out excess is just part of the fun of keeping saltwater..

here's a pretty basic explanation of that water chemistry.

Reefkeeper's FAQ - Part 1

Another product that is hyped but is actually a waste of money. Aragonite dissolves so slowly at pH levels found in our aquaria, that it is not an efficient way to raise either calcium or alkalinity.

Use it if you must, but there are a lot better ways to keep alk and calcium up. This is not one of them