Calcium dropped down to 361!!
- Thread starter PegasisR
- Start date
- Tagged users None
PegasisR
Valuable Member
- Joined
- Apr 22, 2018
- Messages
- 1,248
- Reaction score
- 447
my alk was at 7 but went up to 7.2 with water changes and so my calc is depleting from that
What can i do to bring them both up slowly but consistently because i could lose coral if i dont get it up soon 
madweazl
2500 Club Member
Your calcium levels arent at a point that are going to cause problems. I'm not understanding your comment regarding the water change and alkalinity levels depleting your calcium though. Could you provide some more detail in that regard? Water changes will typically elevate your calcium levels.
PegasisR
Valuable Member
- Joined
- Apr 22, 2018
- Messages
- 1,248
- Reaction score
- 447
Yes, since I'm using red sea reef pro salt it has calc, alk and mag at a higher level. I tested this WC water and alk was 10.3 and calc was at 440. The prior WC my WC water had calc at 510 and alk at 10.5.
Tank water prior to this water change the alk was 7, calc 488 and mag at 1460
Tank water after yesterdays water change was alk 7.2, calc at 361.
SPR1968
No, it wasn’t expensive dear....
Reef Squad
Reef Squad Leader
Excellence Award
Reef Tank 365
UK Reef Club Member
Hospitality Award
Hi there
Calcium at 361 is not really an emergency situation so just bring the level back up to we’re you need it.
The alkalinity does seem very low for the Coral Pro salt, but again just bring the level up. The difference between 7 and 7.2 is negligible and more than likely test error, most kits are not that accurate and have a +/- error margin.
The thing is, select your target parameters and then try and maintain stability and cut out the ups and downs in levels. You may need to look into adding supplements and the ABC+ skeletal elements may be worth looking at with the Coral Pro
And whatever you do, don’t chase the numbers, Stability is they key.
Calcium at 361 is not really an emergency situation so just bring the level back up to we’re you need it.
The alkalinity does seem very low for the Coral Pro salt, but again just bring the level up. The difference between 7 and 7.2 is negligible and more than likely test error, most kits are not that accurate and have a +/- error margin.
The thing is, select your target parameters and then try and maintain stability and cut out the ups and downs in levels. You may need to look into adding supplements and the ABC+ skeletal elements may be worth looking at with the Coral Pro
And whatever you do, don’t chase the numbers, Stability is they key.
ckalupa
Well-Known Member
Red Sea foundation works fine on a tank that size. Read the directions as they are not dosed 1 for 1 like some of the systems. There are calculators that work for Red Sea ABC - GO SLOW. I would use the individual ABC not the combined product. They allow you to trim in each element individually.
Here is one
https://reefapp.net/en/maintenance/dosing/calculator
Here is one
https://reefapp.net/en/maintenance/dosing/calculator
SPR1968
No, it wasn’t expensive dear....
Reef Squad
Reef Squad Leader
Excellence Award
Reef Tank 365
UK Reef Club Member
Hospitality Award
If it’s that size as already said I would use the individual elements A B and C and then you can balance it all our properly. The ABC+ is for smaller systems up to about 90g
vetteguy53081
Well known Member and monster tank lover
Partner Member 2024
Excellence Award
Reef Tank 365
RGB
Article Contributor
Tampa Bay Reef Keepers
West Palm Beach Reefer
Hospitality Award
Ocala Reef Club Member
305 Reef Club
Wisco Reefers
Midwest Reefer
Fish Medic
MAC of SW Florida
Rock Pool Reef Keepers
R2R Secret Santa 2023
My Tank Thread
My Aquarium Showcase
Its low but not dangerously low and can be brought up . . G R A D U A L L Y ! Never bring anything up quickly as it will cause adverse effects.
As for foundation. . . Red Sea and Aquaforest 1,2,3 are both good supplements. What kit/method are you using for testing?
As for foundation. . . Red Sea and Aquaforest 1,2,3 are both good supplements. What kit/method are you using for testing?
ReefSlice
Well-Known Member
I'm not quite understanding this water change lowering your calcium deal. That's not really how it works, your calcium and alk should have gone up from the water change, or from what the calcium readings were at least landed around 450. No way it should have brought you down to 360. Retest before you do anything, possibly with another test kit.
PegasisR
Valuable Member
- Joined
- Apr 22, 2018
- Messages
- 1,248
- Reaction score
- 447
Thank you all for the reply! And the testing I'm using are the hanna checkers! I'm following all that is needed but I will definitely retest on calcium 
and sorry about that spr, I must've skimmed past by accident!
and sorry about that spr, I must've skimmed past by accident!
I'd be interested to know what your magnesium level is. If it is low, you can add all the calcium and alkalinity supplements you want and the numbers won't change.
And fwiw - I agree 100% that your calcium reading is nowhere near a dangerously low level. I keep mine at 400, my alk at 8.0, wiht the mag level about 1350.
And fwiw - I agree 100% that your calcium reading is nowhere near a dangerously low level. I keep mine at 400, my alk at 8.0, wiht the mag level about 1350.
MnFish1
10K Club member
First - you need to make sure that the test is accurate. Why/how do you think it dropped so low? If it was 480 last week and now its 361 - that might be a reason to 'increase it quickly' - if it was 380 last week - it doesn't need to be quickly changed.
Usually 'quick changes' make problems.
Secondly - check your MG and Alkalinity. Is there any visible precipitation anywhere. If these are out of balance - and you just add a bunch of calcium - it will remain low...
If you determine that your Mg is ok - and your Alk is ok and the calcium is 'really that level' - I would slowly add calcium over a week or so to bring it to whatever level you want it.
