Calcium question

SeanD · Jan 11, 2017

I have been keeping reef tanks for a year and I still know nothing. Now that is out of the way heres my question. I have at the moment a 60 gallon deep blue rimless frag tank. Using my CO2 scrubber I am going through ALK pretty quick. I dose 0-60ml a day depending on the level to maintain close to 8.6 dkh. My question is I have never had to add Calcium and my level stays 550-600 with my hannah tester with water changes alone. Is this normal?

scoopsthedog · Jan 11, 2017

How's your PH and Mag?

saltyfilmfolks · Jan 11, 2017

SeanD said:
CO2 scrubber

CO2 scrubber? explain please
and what product are you dosing.

SeanD · Jan 11, 2017

BRS CO2 scrubber from their video about a month ago. http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/video...ease-coral-growth-52-weeks-of-reefing-brs160/

PH is running 8.3ish with the scrubber running and Mag was 1450 at last check (been about a week though).

SeanD · Jan 11, 2017

Sorry dosing is the BRS soda ash. I purchased the 2 part system but I've only been using the ALK half

saltyfilmfolks · Jan 11, 2017

Ok, yea it is weird the cal alk usage being unequal is weird. what salt are you using?
And the co2 scrubber is just effecting mainly the PH fwiw.

saltyfilmfolks · Jan 11, 2017

You'll want to read this.
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2002/11/chemistry
cal and alk generally should be consumed equally.
Are you using a buffer or cal additive?

SeanD · Jan 11, 2017

I had a feeling that was the only benefit of the scrubber but for whatever reason ph stays 7.8-8.08 without it so 8.3 seems to be better according to the "perfect numbers" I keep trying to acquire.

Salt I am using Reef Crystals but I'm considering changing to Red Sea Pro when I run out, the brown film in my mixing trashcan seems gross and best I understand only happens with RC.

SeanD · Jan 11, 2017

I purchased the calc additive but my hannah always reads 580-600 so I've never dosed it.

Aaron Atkinson · Jan 11, 2017

HI Sean. My opinion, get rid of the Hannah checker and get salifert. The Hannah checker dilutes, 100:1, if memory serves correctly. This effectively means there is no margin for error in your mixing tank and RO water. BRS did a nice video on it, I'd suggest you google it.

I had the same problem, thinking my calcium was high. After some moments thinking I was crazy, I had my local fish store check my values and they matched my salifert. So, I've switched.

SeanD · Jan 11, 2017

I'll grab another test kit this weekend and try again.

saltyfilmfolks · Jan 11, 2017

SeanD said:
I had a feeling that was the only benefit of the scrubber but for whatever reason ph stays 7.8-8.08 without it so 8.3 seems to be better according to the "perfect numbers" I keep trying to acquire.

Salt I am using Reef Crystals but I'm considering changing to Red Sea Pro when I run out, the brown film in my mixing trashcan seems gross and best I understand only happens with RC.

Aaron Atkinson said:
HI Sean. My opinion, get rid of the Hannah checker and get salifert. The Hannah checker dilutes, 100:1, if memory serves correctly. This effectively means there is no margin for error in your mixing tank and RO water. BRS did a nice video on it, I'd suggest you google it.

I had the same problem, thinking my calcium was high. After some moments thinking I was crazy, I had my local fish store check my values and they matched my salifert. So, I've switched.

yup, get a second opinion.
also read that article, It also would say, testing error in most cases if the cal alk drop is uneven.

cracker · Jan 11, 2017

Maybe You need to dose the prt 1 & 2. even though your Ca seems Ok ? could be why the alk keeps dropping. After all it is a 2 prt balanced solution. Maybe your ca might skyrocket at 1st but will balance out in a short period of time ? Maybe something to try.

SeanD · Jan 13, 2017

So it would appear I put too much faith in the BRS review of the hannah testers. I went to the LFS and got a red sea pro test kit and cal is actually in the 330-350 range not 600. I dosed some calcium tonight to bring it back up. Looks like after all this time I'll get to use the other half of my 2 part dosing hahahahaha.

Thanks for all the help guys

glb · Jan 14, 2017

I wouldn't worry about 'perfect' numbers, especially with Ph. Your Ph without the co2 scrubber was still within normal parameters. The important thing is for your numbers to be stable. I'd watch alk the most. If it's steady, the tank generally will be ok. I used kalk in my ato for a while and it took care of alk and ca. Now I use two-part to keep things steady. Good luck!

Aaron Atkinson · Jan 15, 2017

Glad it worked out for you Sean, knowing what is really going on is half the battle. I too was lured into the "ease" of the Hanna meter too. Best wishes