Calcium Dosing Question

[DavinciClown]

So, as I tested my parameters today and noticed that my Calcium was running pretty low it was at 395ppm I have reef fusion 1 but I have never really dosed calcium. I went onto marine depot and used their calculator to calculate how much to dose to raise it up to 450ppm its says 28.1 ml of reef fusion 1 to raise it. I was wondering how much to dose per hour or every two hours to reach the 450ppm mark in at least 2 days. I have a 13.5 gallon tank and yes I know a water change will replenish it but I just did one 2 days ago and feel like it would be better if I just started dosing. My nitrates are low and phosphates also are low. My tank has a lot of SPS and a clam so I know the consumption is pretty high.
Here are my other parameters:
Ammonia: 0 (API)
Nitrite: 0 (API)
Nitrates:5-10(Salifert Test Kit, when looked at from the side it measures about 50. API test kit measures 0)
Phosphate: .1 (Red Sea)
Magnesium: 1300(Elos)
Calcium: 395 (Geissemann Test Kit)
Ph: 7.9 (Hanna Checker)
Alkalinity: 9 (API)

 

[Brew12]

So, as I tested my parameters today and noticed that my Calcium was running pretty low it was at 395ppm I have reef fusion 1 but I have never really dosed calcium. I went onto marine depot and used their calculator to calculate how much to dose to raise it up to 450ppm its says 28.1 ml of reef fusion 1 to raise it. I was wondering how much to dose per hour or every two hours to reach the 450ppm mark in at least 2 days. I have a 13.5 gallon tank and yes I know a water change will replenish it but I just did one 2 days ago and feel like it would be better if I just started dosing. My nitrates are low and phosphates also are low. My tank has a lot of SPS and a clam so I know the consumption is pretty high.
Here are my other parameters:
Ammonia: 0 (API)
Nitrite: 0 (API)
Nitrates:5-10(Salifert Test Kit, when looked at from the side it measures about 50. API test kit measures 0)
Phosphate: .1 (Red Sea)
Magnesium: 1300(Elos)
Calcium: 395 (Geissemann Test Kit)
Ph: 7.9 (Hanna Checker)
Alkalinity: 9 (API)

I think I would dose 3mL 4 times a day if you will be doing manual dosing. Test it at the end of the day and see where you are at. As long as it is climbing I would stay with that until you hit your target. It will take a little more than 2 days but I think you are better off raising it too slow than too fast.

 

[chipmunkofdoom2]

Why not just do two doses, 14ml tomorrow, then 14ml the next day? Animals in reef aquaria are not especially sensitive to changes in calcium, and a 25ppm increase per day is not that much.

Also, 395 ppm Ca is not that low. Typical surface values of Ca in the ocean are 420ppm. Your tank is within 5 - 6% of that. Certainly not an emergency.

EDIT: also, concur on the water change not being the best route here. As the calculator told you, 28ml of calcium solution will fix this problem. You'd have to throw gallons of good saltwater down the drain to raise your calcium via water changes.

 

[DavinciClown]

Okay thank you and yes most likely going with dosing it slowly and I know its not an emergency, I've just noticed the slowed down growth of my SPS figured, I figured its probably the clam using up a lot of it since it is the newest addition to the tank but thank you so much. By the way is there an equation that would help me estimate how much and how many times a day or is it just intellect?

 

[Brew12]

Okay thank you and yes most likely going with dosing it slowly and I know its not an emergency, I've just noticed the slowed down growth of my SPS figured, I figured its probably the clam using up a lot of it since it is the newest addition to the tank but thank you so much. By the way is there an equation that would help me estimate how much and how many times a day or is it just intellect?

I don't normally dose Calcium based on calculations. I use BRS 2 part. I do my calculations based off of Alkalinity. I will go a day without dosing either and see how much it drops during the day. I use a calculator to determine how much Alk I need to keep it stable. I use dosers so I dose 5 times a day. Since BRS 2 part is balanced, I dose an equal amount of the calcium liquid as the Alk. I do it this way because the Alk tests tend to be more accurate than the Calc tests.