CALCIUM OR KALKWASSER?

[jreefier]

Trying to decide between kalk drip or just straight calcium supplement to up my calcium levels. Currently calcium is around 260 without doing anything. I use my well water in my tank which already measures 8.3 ph from the tap, so ph hasn't been a problem.

 

[lapin]

Most reef salt will keep your tank at a good level. How big is the tank? Whats the daily consumption?

 

[beaslbob]

read and heed the improved diy 2 part system.

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-02/rhf/index.php

That said probably either will help.

my .02

 

[Ly78]

Kalk will increase your alkalinity too. Think if your alk is within range a , just a calcium supplement will be better.

 

[jreefier]

Most reef salt will keep your tank at a good level. How big is the tank? Whats the daily consumption?
[/QUOTe

The tank is 55 gallon. I have no idea the daily consumption. I have only had soft corals so wasn't too concerned with calcium but have recently added some frogspawn and hammer corals.

 

[jreefier]

read and heed the improved diy 2 part system.

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-02/rhf/index.php

That said probably either will help.

my .02

THanks for the link

 

[jreefier]

Kalk will increase your alkalinity too. Think if your alk is within range a , just a calcium supplement will be better.

That was my thought. Going to start testing alk soon and will probably go with calcium only if its in range.

 

[John08007]

Trying to decide between kalk drip or just straight calcium supplement to up my calcium levels. Currently calcium is around 260 without doing anything. I use my well water in my tank which already measures 8.3 ph from the tap, so ph hasn't been a problem.

Using well water, is it a guarantee that's pure? I know shallow wells used here for irrigation have a high iron content. Not asking for this situation but for long term reef health

 

[jreefier]

Using well water, is it a guarantee that's pure? I know shallow wells used here for irrigation have a high iron content. Not asking for this situation but for long term reef health

I drink it, so if its good enough for me, its good enough for my fish. My well is 100' down and groundwater is about 15' down, because I live near a river. We test yearly for coliform, heavy metals, arsenic, etc.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Trying to decide between kalk drip or just straight calcium supplement to up my calcium levels. Currently calcium is around 260 without doing anything. I use my well water in my tank which already measures 8.3 ph from the tap, so ph hasn't been a problem.

Definitely you cannot use kalkwasser for a calcium boost like that. Alk and pH would shoot through the roof.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I drink it, so if its good enough for me, its good enough for my fish. My well is 100' down and groundwater is about 15' down, because I live near a river. We test yearly for coliform, heavy metals, arsenic, etc.

Let’s back up. Good for us is, say 100 ppb copper. Not for a reef. The criteria are very different. That much might come from your own pipes.

 

[jreefier]

Let’s back up. Good for us is, say 100 ppb copper. Not for a reef. The criteria are very different. That much might come from your own pipes.

My pipes are pvc. I've had anemones for years in this tank using this water so copper levels are ok. I do have some nitrates and phosphates thus hair algae but levels are below acceptable.

 

[jreefier]

Definitely you cannot use kalkwasser for a calcium boost like that. Alk and pH would shoot through the roof.

Thanks

 

[bdare]

Just a few thoughts as I read this thread:
- Kalk should not be used to increase any levels. The addition required at one time would spike pH too high and lead to precipitation. Increase Ca with CaCl first.
- Kalk is a fine solution for maintaining Alk and Calcium once your levels are where you want them