Raising CA

Hello ALL

ive been having trouble with Calcium levels in my tank. Cant seem to get it above 350. Today my tank tested 280 ppm. ...i suspect that my magnesium levels might be a little low. (ordered a kit today)...anyways, my question is, i have a Calcium/Magnesium supplement. How fast can i raise the Calcium to 400 ppm without stressing the system???....


Oh i have a mixed 75gal reef with softies and LPS...no SPS

 

how much and what are you currently dosing?

 

You are probably correct in your suspicion. Way low, I would say. When my Mg was around 1200, I couldn't get my Ca above 400... so...

I wouldn't raise Ca more than 50 ppm per day. Others do 100ppm per day. I like to ere on the safe side in case I accidentally dose more than I plan.

I am currently raising my Mg. I am raising that 100ppm every other day.

My goals:
alk: 13 dKH
Ca: 450
Mg: 1450
(ish)

 

Im dosing AZOO reef calcium and magnesium suppliment (20ml/ week). The bottle has 500ml and says that 5ml/100l raises CA by4.15 ppm.( thats 5ml/26 gal). my tank is 80 gal at 260 ppm. so that would mean that i would have to dose 168 ml for 26 gals to bring it up to 400 ppm.

My tank is 80gal so that would mean dosing 516 ml !!!!....thats like the entire bottle....lol

Dont know if my chemistry is off (i.e. my Mg) or are my corals using up that much calcium?

 

I dose 20ml per day of a Calcium solution to maintain my parameter.

I use the 2-part kit from www.bulkreefsupply.com

It is far cheaper than what you are using.

 

i just read a couple of in depth articles about reef chemistry and the importance of Mg to prevent precipitation of CaCo3.... you think i should raise the Mg first to stabalize everything then bring up the Ca?

 

yes.

 

I would look into purchasing a supplement system that has Calcium, Alk, and Magnesium separated. Your system is not balanced so adding a balanced 2 part supplement might not work..
Be aware of your parameters while dosing supplements. My parameters were at the low end of good not to long ago. What I did was started topping off with Kalkwasser to keep my parameters stable, and used supplements to increase my levels to my liking. I've been at it for a little over a month and I'm still not where I want to be. But I have seen and documented increases in parameters. If you chose to go my route or not, I recommend going slow. There is a high chance you wil lose livestock that it probably already suffering from the parameters now, if you make these changes fast.. I have had good luck with Seachem products so far, but they are costly compared to bulk reef supply.

Make sure you get an Alkalinity test too, if you dont have one..

Good Luck!!

 

I agree and is why I suggested

It's called a "2-part kit", but all three are separate and are dosed separately.

 

Oh yea, sorry Peredhil, I don't know much about Bulk Reef Supply . I see that "2-part kit" That looks like it would work pretty good. It looks like a good deal also..