Max ppm you can raise calcium per day?

Discussion in 'Water Chemistry' started by reddog, Dec 25, 2009.

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  1. reddog

    reddog Bristle Worm

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    I have been in the process of adjusting my water perams.I have my S.G.1.025,Mag 1460,Alk is at 9 right now and my calcium is low at 380.
    I am using the ESV B ionic 2 part and have been trying to raise the calcium and alk slowly but i havnt seen much movement in the calcium.I have sucesfully raised my Dkh from 7 to 9 and am shooting for 10.
    My question is what is the max ppm you can safely raise calcium per day?
    Also is there anything that could be holding my calcium back or do I just need to adjust my daily dose?
    Please help?

    Thanks and Happy Holidays
     
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  3. exoticsteve2001

    exoticsteve2001 Feather Duster

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    I use esv magnesium and calcium/alk/ph 2 part.I dont go over 1250 on the mag. and try to keep my calcium between 420 and 440 and have raised it from 380 in a day to 440 and didnt see any precipitation.And that also helped me bring up my kh from 8 to 10.
     
  4. exoticsteve2001

    exoticsteve2001 Feather Duster

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    I was told to keep my magnesium 1350 and as low as 1150 though.
     
  5. Powerman

    Powerman Giant Squid

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    BRS say not to raise calcium more that 50 ppm per day.
     
  6. ReefSparky

    ReefSparky Super Moderator

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    It's common to see folks unable to raise calcium or alk if their magnesium is too low. This is not your issue. I've not used the particular 2 part mix you mention, but with your alk at 9 and your mag at 1400+; I'd stick to dosing only calcium for the time being. Be patient. Utilize the calculator available here at 3reef to figure just how much additive to use, and perhaps try to break it up over 2 or three days.

    It seems in your situation, there are no parameters to hinder a rise in your calcium. Add it slowly, test daily, and report back.

    Good luck!! :)
     
  7. reddog

    reddog Bristle Worm

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    Thanks ReefSparky.I will just add calcium but wont that bring down my Alk in the meantime?
    -1Dkh for every +20ppm calcium right?
    I also just did the calculator and it would take 700ml of additive! Thats 1 1/2 bottles.Seems excessive?
     
    Last edited: Dec 25, 2009
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  9. Powerman

    Powerman Giant Squid

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    Desn't ESV have a calculator? any way... if you have 380, and want to get to say 450.... it should tell you exactly the amount....doing 50 ppm a day will take so many days.

    That is how it was fro BRS.... looked at where I was at....said say liter of solution.....at 400 ml a day for 50 ppm and took 3 days.
     
  10. ReefSparky

    ReefSparky Super Moderator

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    Not necessarily to the bringing down the Alk question. Neither calcium nor alk can be high at the same time, but if mag is spot on, and cal and alk are balanced, raising one shouldn't hinder the level of the other.

    The dKh per ppm of calcium I don't have any knowledge of, sorry.

    As for the calculator telling you to add 700ml of additive, maybe that's why you've not seen any increase in calcium? :) 700 ml. is about 24 ounces. Why not add 8 ounces per day for 3 days?
     
  11. Powerman

    Powerman Giant Squid

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    Here is a calculator I have used before. I tried the one here but it didn't come up. could be work computer. Anyway, for 40g it said 700ml to go from 380 to 450.

    Reef Chemistry Calculator

    This one said 4.45 meq/l for balance.
     
  12. reddog

    reddog Bristle Worm

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    O.K. well the bottle says 1ml per gal will raise cal by 16ppm.
    At 40 gal it should take me about 4+ days to raise 70 ppm.
    I was worried just adding calcium would drive the alk down
    but i will just have to keep an eye on it and dose alk if it falls.
    I was adding 10ml per day but i think my tank is consuming that so it hasnt been going anywhere...