Calcium test and questions

[jworth]

I use Instant Ocean in my 125 reef and change 10 gallons of water every week. I am not sure what the calcium level is in the mix.

I just bought an API reef test kit and surely my readings aren't right of 200 ppm calcium... Anyone else use this brand? I ran the test twice.

KH = 125.3ppm or slightly higher = dKH 7

What should I take from these tests? Corals seem to be doing fine, but I do have a nice digitata frag close up on me which made me decide to start testing.

I should also mention that I typically follow the instructions on the Kent Liquid calcium and Kent Essential elements. Also my other readings are all 0 ; nitrates,phosphates, etc... I have got a while left on my bucket of salt, but will be switching to reef crystals.

 

[ar0wan]

why can't that be rite
isn't 400ppm where you want it
idunno
add moar calcium

 

[nonstophoops]

why can't that be rite
isn't 400ppm where you want it
idunno
add moar calcium

It isn't this simple.

I highly doubt that the calcium in your mix is actually 200. The tank water may have 200 ppm because your corals are using some. The freshly mixed water should be closer to 350 or 400.

Using Liquid Calcium long term is not ideal. You can put all the calcium in the tank you want, but if your magnesium doesn't match the proper levels the calcium is useless to your corals. So test for Magnesium as well. Your Kh also factors in here and yours seems to be on the low end of what you need. I would shoot for more like 9 or 10 for your tank.

I would look into using a 2 part supplement to keep your levels in the proper areas. BulkReefSupply.com has easy directions to follow as well as a calculator to dose properly.

 

[jworth]

Is this a product I should be looking for? Will this help me accomplish my goals?

http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/store...ium-and-alkalinity-total-package-large-1.html

What about this that is already in liquid form?
http://premiumaquatics.com/store/me...re_Code=PA&Product_Code=ESV151&Category_Code=


My understanding is that as long as the magnesium levels are correct then calcium and dKH guidelines should work fine. Right? Weekly water changes and the addition of Essential Elements should maintain Magnesium levels making the necessary dosing the dKH and Calcium correct?

 

[FLESHY]

Finally...after repeating myself 90 million times others are starting to talk about BRS dosing haha.

 

[nonstophoops]

Is this a product I should be looking for? Will this help me accomplish my goals?

http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/store...ium-and-alkalinity-total-package-large-1.html

What about this that is already in liquid form?
http://premiumaquatics.com/store/me...re_Code=PA&Product_Code=ESV151&Category_Code=


My understanding is that as long as the magnesium levels are correct then calcium and dKH guidelines should work fine. Right? Weekly water changes and the addition of Essential Elements should maintain Magnesium levels making the necessary dosing the dKH and Calcium correct?

Here is what I was referring too. The calculator is one of the top option bar choices.

http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/store/Kalkwasser-Instructions

Their are instructions for any method you choose. I need to start doing one of them on my 75 gallon while I get my 210 hooked up with my new Calcium Reactor.

 

[jworth]

great, thanks guys. I am pretty sure I got it! Going to get some pro buffer dKH until I run out of my current calcium and then will be switching to two part dosing.

 

[jworth]

well I dosed with Kent pro buffer dKH (liquid) and Kent Liquid calcium (at different times). The instructions say these are fine to dose separately. I read an article where someone (though unsure of brand and product) had stuff precipitate on them and I became worried. But directions say these are entirely compatible. Forgive me as I am new at this type of dosing.

I was doing my calcium test kit wrong until I just now realized how to do it properly so my calcium dosing was a bit high I believe my pH test kit is not working as it is very old and the color is not even on the range and a very odd shade. The dKH buffer is supposed to set it at 8.0-8.3 as it is anyhow and along with all of my aragonite, live rock and water changes, I am not concerned at this point and probably wont buy a new pH test.

Current readings;
Calcium - 460ppm
dKH - 12
Phosphate - 0
Nitrate - 0

Looks better to me. I will be switching to Two Little Fishes C-Balance after a bit as I have read wonderful things about this two part dosing product and it sells locally. Heres a link.
http://premiumaquatics.com/aquatic-supplies/TLF-CB2B.html

 

[FLESHY]

Remember as said before, stability is more important than "perfect" numbers.

Try to get dkh of at least 10, and cal of at least 400, and keep it stable in or around those ranges.

Seen a lot of "reef of the month"s over on R2R with numbers that were far from "perfect"

 

[jworth]

Remember as said before, stability is more important than "perfect" numbers.

Try to get dkh of at least 10, and cal of at least 400, and keep it stable in or around those ranges.

Seen a lot of "reef of the month"s over on R2R with numbers that were far from "perfect"

Yeah I am going to be testing to see what I can add on a daily basis to keep it stable as opposed to weekly. Not sure how I am going to manage that but I am about where I need to be and would like to keep it consistently around here. The dKH doesnt give dosing directions just instructions to dose to get it where it needs to be at the time.