Calcium and alkalinity level

[Drummingbaker2010]

Hey guys, what is the best way to raise my alkalinity and calcium? They are a little low and would like to bring them up a little. Please let me know. Thanks.

 

[fishski13]

Hey guys, what is the best way to raise my alkalinity and calcium? They are a little low and would like to bring them up a little. Please let me know. Thanks.

I am using ESV two part to raise alkalinity, popular and proven to work. Also here good things about tropic marin All for Reef

 

[nereefpat]

What are the actual values, and what is the target for each?

The cheapest and easiest would be baking soda for alk and calcium chloride for Ca.

 

[Drummingbaker2010]

What are the actual values, and what is the target for each?

The cheapest and easiest would be baking soda for alk and calcium chloride for Ca.

last I checked calcium was between 420-440, and alk was 10. I'd like to get my calcium up to about 500 and I'd like to get my alkalinity up to 12

 

[PatW]

I use Bulk Reef Supply two part. The calcium part is calcium chloride and the alkalinity part is Soda Ash. For calcium, things are not that sensitive. I think natural seawater is something like 370. But I like keeping mine over 400. I dose daily and check the levels weekly and add to 450 (just to have a margin of error).

For alkalinity, the value of natural sea water is about 7. I keep mine at 8. I measure it daily and dose daily. Corals are far more sensitive to swings of alkalinity than they are to swings in calcium. You do not want to change alkalinity on your corals by more than 1 DKH. Really you want this to stay pretty constant.

If you want more information, the reef chemistry section goes into detail on the stickies on the various methods of dosing calcium and alkalinity.

 

[Drummingbaker2010]

I use Bulk Reef Supply two part. The calcium part is calcium chloride and the alkalinity part is Soda Ash. For calcium, things are not that sensitive. I think natural seawater is something like 370. But I like keeping mine over 400. I dose daily and check the levels weekly and add to 450 (just to have a margin of error).

For alkalinity, the value of natural sea water is about 7. I keep mine at 8. I measure it daily and dose daily. Corals are far more sensitive to swings of alkalinity than they are to swings in calcium. You do not want to change alkalinity on your corals by more than 1 DKH. Really you want this to stay pretty constant.

If you want more information, the reef chemistry section goes into detail on the stickies on the various methods of dosing calcium and alkalinity.

my alkalinity is 10, but I hear prime reef tank is 12. I've heard that from 2 sources now, so I thought I would try it and see what happens.

 

[Jeffbear]

my alkalinity is 10, but I hear prime reef tank is 12. I've heard that from 2 sources now, so I thought I would try it and see what happens.

This depends on a few factors really. A higher alk system is usually for fast growth. You'll see a lot of different Alk numbers on here with most falling in the 8-10 range.

 

[Drummingbaker2010]

yes I know. 8-12 is the general consensus.

 

[Jeffbear]

This depends on a few factors really. A higher alk system is usually for fast growth. You'll see a lot of different Alk numbers on here with most falling in the 8-10 range.

I can say, with my little tank and keeping my Alk at 11.5 using Red Sea Coral Pro salt and Red Sea Foundation B (Alk) I've had great growth and color and havent had to dose Calcium at all. Just water changes. But that a 9 gallon tank.

 

[Drummingbaker2010]

mine is 32 gallon

 

[Dburr1014]

last I checked calcium was between 420-440, and alk was 10. I'd like to get my calcium up to about 500 and I'd like to get my alkalinity up to 12

You are fine exactly where you are. Maybe high on the alk.