Calcium levels

[Ubergroover]

So I noticed today when I did my weekly testing that my calcium level has dropped from 460 to 400 in one week since I did a 30% water change. I have several LPS and they are growing. So I attribute the drop to that. My question is what is everyones preferred method of maintaining calcium levels? water change? reactor? supplements? I want my coral growth to keep up at their max rate. OR am worrying for no reason?

 

[rgaleana2009]

So I noticed today when I did my weekly testing that my calcium level has dropped from 460 to 400 in one week since I did a 30% water change. I have several LPS and they are growing. So I attribute the drop to that. My question is what is everyones preferred method of maintaining calcium levels? water change? reactor? supplements? I want my coral growth to keep up at their max rate. OR am worrying for no reason?

I use Randy's recipe #1

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-02/rhf/

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Check the alkalinity too because if calcium is really dropping (instead of just random measurement error), there will be a much bigger (percentage wise) drop in alkalinity.

This has more:

The Many Methods for Supplementing Calcium and Alkalinity - REEFEDITION
https://www.reef2reef.com/blog/the-many-methods-for-supplementing-calcium-and-alkalinity

 

[Ubergroover]

Check the alkalinity too because if calcium is really dropping (instead of just random measurement error), there will be a much bigger (percentage wise) drop in alkalinity.

This has more:

The Many Methods for Supplementing Calcium and Alkalinity - REEFEDITION
https://www.reef2reef.com/blog/the-many-methods-for-supplementing-calcium-and-alkalinity

it dropped also

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

it dropped also

Then I'd suggest a dosing scheme that adds both.

 

[MIReefer78]

As a follow on question to that, if you are maintaining your CA and ALK with a dosing pump would you recommend dosing by hand to get the levels back up quickly after a water change or just let the pump do it's thing?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

As a follow on question to that, if you are maintaining your CA and ALK with a dosing pump would you recommend dosing by hand to get the levels back up quickly after a water change or just let the pump do it's thing?

Your levels should not drop after a water change???

If they do (say you chose to keep calcium higher than your salt mix), you can just boost the new salt water to match the tank.

 

[Ubergroover]

i've gone Balling.....let ya know how it works out