Belgian Anthias
Valuable Member
For best coloration in stony corals, such as Acropora, it is recommended to maintain calcium concentrations between 400 - 420ppm
For accelerated growth in stony corals, it is recommended to maintain calcium concentrations between 440-465ppm. For a mixed reef with LPS and softies, it is recommended to maintain calcium concentrations around 415-440ppm
This is an advice given for managing a reef aquarium using a commercial calcium additive. The recommendation does not contain any references. It seems to be a generally accepted advice and there is nothing wrong with it as there will be always more as enough calcium. But how certain calcium concentrations may be responsible for better coloration, accelerated growth, and be better for LPS and or softies? How the calcium concentration accelerates the growth of stony corals.? Calcium is needed for calcification but if there is more as enough how the calcium concentration is influencing the growth rate?
Would it make a noticeable difference if I keep calcium at 400ppm, 440ppm, or 465ppm?
As it is mainly the CO2 consumption rate and the CO3 concentration which is responsible for the calcium consumption rate of reef builders, it will be these parameters that will be responsible for the calcium level measured in the tank. We measure what is left over at that moment.
On the other hand, if calcium is produced by internal natural processes it often concerns dissolved calcium carbonate. In that case, the measured calcium level may also be connected with carbonate availability, an important influencer of calcification rates.
For accelerated growth in stony corals, it is recommended to maintain calcium concentrations between 440-465ppm. For a mixed reef with LPS and softies, it is recommended to maintain calcium concentrations around 415-440ppm
This is an advice given for managing a reef aquarium using a commercial calcium additive. The recommendation does not contain any references. It seems to be a generally accepted advice and there is nothing wrong with it as there will be always more as enough calcium. But how certain calcium concentrations may be responsible for better coloration, accelerated growth, and be better for LPS and or softies? How the calcium concentration accelerates the growth of stony corals.? Calcium is needed for calcification but if there is more as enough how the calcium concentration is influencing the growth rate?
Would it make a noticeable difference if I keep calcium at 400ppm, 440ppm, or 465ppm?
As it is mainly the CO2 consumption rate and the CO3 concentration which is responsible for the calcium consumption rate of reef builders, it will be these parameters that will be responsible for the calcium level measured in the tank. We measure what is left over at that moment.
On the other hand, if calcium is produced by internal natural processes it often concerns dissolved calcium carbonate. In that case, the measured calcium level may also be connected with carbonate availability, an important influencer of calcification rates.
