Dosing only Calcium

[garbled]

I'm readjusting my water baselines to get everything back in sync, and my testing is showing dKH of 8.5, and Calcium of 288. (no corals in there yet, Hanna tester)

My long term plan is to run kalk/CaRX, but both of these will raise both numbers, if I just want to adjust calcium, can I just add the calcium part of 2-part? (CaCl2 right?) If I do so though, will that throw off my ionic balance of chlorine?

 

[RobZilla04]

First off, double check your Calcium reading. Re-test and be sure to follow the same procedure (as instructed) and ensure all of the reagent powder is emptied from the packet into the vial.

The Calcium checker is known to be finicky but IME most of the time it is due to human error.

Cal - 288ppm seems really low. If you've been doing at least semi regular water changes, check the manufacturer stated value for Calcium. The Hanna should be giving you something close to that. If you have no livestock in the tank that would take up calcium, something is off with the testing or salinity.

 

[Michael Llabona]

I would retest. Make sure you are using distilled water for the Hannah checker. People have said that rodi through off readings. I just don't see it being possible since your kdh is 8.5. what salt are you using? I wouldn't use 2 part to increase that much. I would just do large water changes with a highly rated reef salt to bring everything back to normal.

 

[RobZilla04]

RODI throws off readings as TDS of the product water increases.

 

[KCSUMPS]

I understand and agree with the statements given/said on this but I would extend the initial question. I have Calcium in the 380 range but my mag numbers are high and my alk is 9.5. I dont want to dose anything but calcium if it won't affect the chemistry negatively (until My new corals) take up more...?? So I guess my real question is the same as the above - IF the test is accurate and you have low calcium can you dose that independently (I am running kalkwasser only right now with RODI of 0TDS and Blue Bucket for salt)...??

 

[RobZilla04]

What did you use to test the Cal? 380 is not low BTW.

You can dose a calcium only supplement, which wont affect anything else if you desire.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

380 ppm calcium is a fairly common and likely result. It is borderline and I'd boost it. 288 ppm is definitely not likely to be real.

If you want to boost calcium, just use calcium chloride. There are many hobby and DIY brands.