All for reef and calcium?

[Brianbo]

Im dosing 11ml of All for reef and my alk and mag have been pretty stable. With my alk around 9.4 w/ a .2 +/-. But my calcium is dropping. So when I upped my dose of all for reef it spikes my alk to over 10 and raises my calcium just a few ppm. How should I go about raising my calcium while keeping my alk down.

 

[Pod_01]

You can use Tropic Marin Original Balling PartA. Part A provides Calcium and can be used to supplement AFR.

Randy DIY recipe will work as well.

 

[19Mateo83]

You can use Tropic Marin Original Balling PartA. Part A provides Calcium and can be used to supplement AFR.

Randy DIY recipe will work as well.

Would something like brightwells reef code A work also without interfering with the AFR?

 

[Pod_01]

Would something like brightwells reef code A work also without interfering with the AFR?

It would work, but it has other things in it:

AFR has other things as well, so dosing both you might end up with elevated Mg or Sr.

Just my opinion,

 

[Matty Ice]

Agree with Pod_01. According to the instructions of All For Reef, instead of increasing the AFR dose you should have used part A to increase calcium.

 

[Cichlid Dad]

2-Part Pharma Calcium & Alkalinity Starter Package

Start Replenishing Calcium and Alkalinity in your Reef Tank! Keep your corals growing with the BRS 2-Part Calcium & Alkalinity Starter Package. The kit includes everything to make one gallon of calcium, alkalinity, and magnesium and to start daily dosing, it even includes mixing jugs, dispensing...

www.bulkreefsupply.com

I dose AFR to my magnesium consumption and use this for what ever needs adjustment.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I actually do not agree that ordinary calcium chloride (Balling Part A) is better than the calcium part of a good two part. The differences are small, but I'd contend that the two part is actually a tiny bit better at maintaining balance of other ions than is just calcium chloride.

The short answer is: use any calcium (not alk) source. For any reasonable calcium doses, the things listed above for the Reef Code will be undetectably boosted.

 

[Brianbo]

Awesome, thanks for the info

 

[Pod_01]

I actually do not agree that ordinary calcium chloride (Balling Part A) is better than the calcium part of a good two part.

Randy, I have to ask. Why do some calcium parts have other things in them?
Is it just for ion balance or is there other function?
I noticed some of the DYI have extras:

The Reef Code has Mg and Sr.

This one has Sr:

Just curious.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Randy, I have to ask. Why do some calcium parts have other things in them?
Is it just for ion balance or is there other function?
I noticed some of the DYI have extras:

The Reef Code has Mg and Sr.

This one has Sr:

Just curious.

A calcium supplement can be just calcium chloride (e.g., TM Balling Part A)
or
It can contain calcium and ions that get into calcium carbonate in place of calcium (mostly calcium,, magnesium and strontium) (e.g., Seachem Reef Advantage Calcium)
or
It can be the calcium part of a balanced two part that might contain dozens of ions in an attempt to leave a seawater residue when the calcium and carbonate are precipitated. (ESV two part, for example)

 

[KTTX]

2-Part Pharma Calcium & Alkalinity Starter Package

Start Replenishing Calcium and Alkalinity in your Reef Tank! Keep your corals growing with the BRS 2-Part Calcium & Alkalinity Starter Package. The kit includes everything to make one gallon of calcium, alkalinity, and magnesium and to start daily dosing, it even includes mixing jugs, dispensing...

www.bulkreefsupply.com

I dose AFR to my magnesium consumption and use this for what ever needs adjustment.

So when dosing two part, do you have to dose 1:1 ratio of calcium:alkalinity?

 

[Cichlid Dad]

So when dosing two part, do you have to dose 1:1 ratio of calcium:alkalinity?

No, There is a calculator on bulk reef supply website. Go to bottom of first page, click education then calculator. You input water volume, current level of say calcium alk or mag, input desired level and it will give you the exact amount needed to reach that level. I suggest getting the full kit I showed you. It comes with everything you need. This formula was created by one of our own here on reef 2 reef.

Aquarium and Reef Calculators - Bulk Reef Supply

Bulk Reef Supply - Saltwater Aquarium Supplies for Reef Tanks

www.bulkreefsupply.com

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

So when dosing two part, do you have to dose 1:1 ratio of calcium:alkalinity?

You certainly do not have to, but for two parts designed for 1:1 dosing (not all are) it should be the default starting point. Dose both equally and only alter the calcium dose if calcium is too high or too low. If calcium is just right, then keep dosing, don’t stop because you are worried it will get too high. It moves far more slowly than alk.