Calcium chloride not raising calcium levels?? Help please

[oregonaquarist16]

I have a relatively new (1.5 months) 140 gallon system set up and packed with mostly SPS corals. Circumstance forced the coral into such a new tank and I know that it's not ideal. I'm having trouble getting the chemistry where it needs to be. Mostly calcium.
•Alk: 8.7 dkH
•Mg: 1410ppm
•Ca: 260ppm

I believe the calcium levels are too low but my additives aren't impacting the test results at all. I've been using BRS bulk calcium chloride and dosed with 240ml of the solution today after seeing no results with smaller doses previously. The original recommended dose to raise the Ca from 250ppm to 350ppm was about 200ml. Still no change even with higher dosages.. I'm not sure if the other additives I'm using are causing part of the problem or not. BRS 2part magnesium mix and BRS sodium carbonate are also being dosed daily. What does it look like when the solution is precipitating out? And how fast can coral soak up calcium out of the water column? I'm not sure where all the calcium could be going if it's not registering on a test This is my first post to this forum; sorry it's such a long one!! I hope someone has some words of wisdom to share with me!

 

[JOKER]

Have you checked with more than one test kit? The one could be bad

 

[oregonaquarist16]

I have tested with both Salifert's calcium test and API's calcium test from the reef master test kit. Did each of them twice and it tested the same every time :/

 

[Mike&Terry]

I have a relatively new (1.5 months) 140 gallon system set up and packed with mostly SPS corals. Circumstance forced the coral into such a new tank and I know that it's not ideal. I'm having trouble getting the chemistry where it needs to be. Mostly calcium.
•Alk: 8.7 dkH
•Mg: 1410ppm
•Ca: 260ppm

I believe the calcium levels are too low but my additives aren't impacting the test results at all. I've been using BRS bulk calcium chloride and dosed with 240ml of the solution today after seeing no results with smaller doses previously. The original recommended dose to raise the Ca from 250ppm to 350ppm was about 200ml. Still no change even with higher dosages...

According to the BRS Reef Calculator, to increase your Ca by 100ppm would require 1432.9 ml (48.4 fl oz) of your BRS calcium chloride solution. BRS recommends that you increase Ca no more than 50ppm per 24 hour period.

I would suggest that you increase your Ca to somewhere between 420 and 450ppm.

Keep in mind that raising Ca can have a lowering effect on alkalinity. You will need to keep a close eye on your params and adjust accordingly.

Once your levels are where you want them to be, you may need to adjust your daily dosing amounts to keep up with consumption.

hth :bigsmile:

 

[beaslbob]

+1

And I recommend you read the diy two part links here.

In that system you first make an adjustment to get cal/alk/mag to desired levels.

then dose equal amonts of the cal and alk solutions when alk drops down. the key is to just measure the alk. In that way the tank will be telling you how much to dose.

then after 1 gallon of the cal and alk are used up dose the magnesium.

If you follow all that I think you will find that in a month or two things will still be in balance. And do try to resist the constant testing and adjusting.


my .02

 

[oregonaquarist16]

Wait... Where did you get 1400ml from? This is what I got when using the calculator for my system.

 

[oregonaquarist16]

beaslbob, I don't see the links that you are talking about.. Did you post them? Perhaps it is because I'm on a mobile device using the reef2reef application. Thanks for all of the help so far!

 

[Mike&Terry]

You need to select the correct product in the drop down:

You are using BRS Two part calcium which is calcium chloride dihydrate. The calculator measurements are for the pre-mixed calcium solution.


Dry Calcium Chloride Crystals refers to anhydrous calcium chloride - examples would be Kent's Turbo Calcium or Prestone Driveway Heat. The calculator measurements are for DRY crystals.

 

[oregonaquarist16]

Ah I see the mistake! Thanks so much! I'll try the new dosage today and see if there is a difference. I'll be back here with the results this evening.

 

[beaslbob]

beaslbob, I don't see the links that you are talking about.. Did you post them? Perhaps it is because I'm on a mobile device using the reef2reef application. Thanks for all of the help so far!

Sorry

here is a stickie from this forum:
https://www.reef2reef.com/forums/reef-chemistry-forum/39332-do-yourself-two-part-links.html

and in that these:

the actual diy 2 part
An Improved Do-it-Yourself Two-Part Calcium and Alkalinity Supplement System by Randy Holmes-Farley - Reefkeeping.com

and the reef calculator:

Reef Chemistry Calculator

All that is a long read at first and confusing.

But once you actually start doing it, it all kinda falls into place and seem easy.


my .02

 

[Reefing Madness]

You need to select the correct product in the drop down:



You are using BRS Two part calcium which is calcium chloride dihydrate. The calculator measurements are for the pre-mixed calcium solution.


Dry Calcium Chloride Crystals refers to anhydrous calcium chloride - examples would be Kent's Turbo Calcium or Prestone Driveway Heat. The calculator measurements are for DRY crystals.

But the OP states that he's using BRS bulk calcium chloride. ?? Not 2 Part

 

[oregonaquarist16]

Thanks @beaslbob, I'll look into that!

 

[oregonaquarist16]

So which option should I be choosing? Dry calcium chloride crystals? Or the 2 part solution. The 2 part solution doesn't really make sense unless it is one part calcium chloride and one part reverse osmosis water... But I understand the point about the DRY calcium chloride too... :/

 

[Russellaqua]

It sounds like you are using this product:
BRS Bulk Calcium Chloride Aquarium Supplement - Bulk Reef Supply

If so, use the calculator for the dry amount just like the screenshot you posted earlier.

 

[oregonaquarist16]

It's clear that I shouldn't be using the dry calcium chloride option because of the type of measurements given. Because I'm using a liquid, the only possible correct options are one of the 2 part calcium solutions. And I'm pretty sure I'm not using the "alternative 2 part calcium solution for lowering pH" .... The directions on the site for bulk calcium chloride state that I should choose "recipe 1 calcium solution"

 

[oregonaquarist16]

I'm surprised that the calculator would have me measuring out a dry amount of calcium chloride when the container I have in hand has specific directions for creating a gallon of solution first.. The first option (2 part calcium solution) seems the most likely choice although it isn't made very clear.. Darn it bulk reef supply!

 

[Reefing Madness]

You can contact them, ask which you should be using.

 

[oregonaquarist16]

One step ahead of ya @reefing madness just messaged them. Hopefully I'll get a speedy reply. Thanks for all of the help everyone!

 

[Mike&Terry]

But the OP states that he's using BRS bulk calcium chloride. ?? Not 2 Part

Check the BRS site. They ONLY sell one type of calcium chloride. It is sold by itself and with the 2 part kits. It is Calcium Chloride dihydrate.

He needs to select the 2 Part Calcium Solution product to get the correct liquid measurement.

 

[b_rad_G]

But the OP states that he's using BRS bulk calcium chloride. ?? Not 2 Part

It is a diy 2 part. You buy the raw materials and make the solution saving money. BRS recently started carrying quality ingredients for this. We used to make 2 part from all types of common items. Driveway ice melt or pool supplies to name a few.

FYI "2 part" is a generic term used for a dosing system that requires 2 separate chemical additives in order to keep aquarium chemistry balanced. The term "2 part" can't tell you how strong or what chemical it is made from. Knowing BRS sells calcium chloride dyhidrate we know the strength of the solution.

Anyways I'm just saying the term 2 part is not a very good way to determine dosing.