How to get calcium in the 400s

[robert serafino]

The tank is a 180 my problem i think corline algea the tank is a thick purple nitrate 10 pho 0.051 i dose 100ml a day of bulk reef calcium cloride

 

[Nerdist Aquarist]

Anytime it comes to Calcium/Alk levels, I always recommend getting your Magnesium level right first. 1200 is a bit low in my opinion, bump up to 1300-1400. Then you should see more predictable results when you add Calcium/Alk. It's a losing battle chasing Calcium/Alk numbers if your Magnesium doesn't first level the playing field.

Being 180 gallon, that's going to take a decent amount of Magnesium to raise.

Aquarium and Reef Calculators - Bulk Reef Supply

Bulk Reef Supply - Saltwater Aquarium Supplies for Reef Tanks

www.bulkreefsupply.com

 

[monkeyCmonkeyDo]

Whats ur salinity? Agree bump ur mag.
I use aquavitro ions i think it is. Syrup glucose but works. Lol. 4 caps raises my cal from 380-400. 160-180g volume.
Next i did 2 more caps to get it to 420.
I would add ur mix to rodi and than dump it in. Hths
D

 

[robert serafino]

1.025

 

[vic5hands]

you should look into a calcium reactor and have the apex control the co2 solenoid using the alkinity reading from the Trident as your base line . it works that's how I'm running

 

[monkeyCmonkeyDo]

+1 i will go to a cal.rx.when my demands meet needs.
Mines a lifereef. No computer for me. Lol. Ph probe and monitor yes for inside the reactor.
D

 

[blasterman]

According to the handy dandy reef calculator to get to 430 calcium you need 7-8 tablespoons of calcium chloride powder.

See how much easier this is when you deal with actual dry components and not those same components dissolved in water?

 

[Phil D.]

Additionally, you should be using a salt for mixed reef. I use the Red Sea Coral Pro which has the higher Ca levels in it. I also dose Aquaforest 1-2-3 to keep level stable.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I agree with checking the salinity and boosting to 35 ppt (it is likely low) which will boost both calcium and magnesium.

Then if you need more of either, boost them more using simple and inexpensive calcium and magnesium supplements.

 

[PeterC99]

you should look into a calcium reactor and have the apex control the co2 solenoid using the alkinity reading from the Trident as your base line . it works that's how I'm running

Very interested in learning how you run the CO2 solenoid off Alk reading from Trident.

Right now have CO2 solenoid controlled by Apex using pH probe in Calcium Reactor. With this method I get Alk in the morning 8.6 and Alk in the evening 8.4. Can you get the Alk more consistent using Trident?

Thank you.

 

[robert serafino]

Tested salinity refractomeator and hanna salinity tester and sample at the shop all were 1.025 . I ordered bulkreef magnesium see if i can get that up 1st

 

[vic5hands]

Very interested in learning how you run the CO2 solenoid off Alk reading from Trident.

Right now have CO2 solenoid controlled by Apex using pH probe in Calcium Reactor. With this method I get Alk in the morning 8.6 and Alk in the evening 8.4. Can you get the Alk more consistent using Trident?

Thank you.

i normally run alk 8.2 to 8.7. if the trident says alk >8.45 than off . if lower than on. I test a lot 6 times daily, settings in Apex Calph is the probe in the reactor . Co2 solenoid Program
Alkx9 is from the Trident.

Fallback OFF
If CalPH > 6.70 Then ON
If CalPH < 6.59 Then OFF
If Alkx9 > 8.45 Then OFF

�

Name	Minimum	Average	Maximum
Alkx9	8.12	8.35	8.59

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Tested salinity refractomeator and hanna salinity tester and sample at the shop all were 1.025 . I ordered bulkreef magnesium see if i can get that up 1st

Which means you verified salinity is lower than 35 ppt, as we suggested. IMO, raise salinity to 35 ppt first. (sg = 1.0264)

Magnesium will rise from 1207 to 1275 (almost exactly matching 35 ppt natural seawater of 1280 ppm).

Calcium will rise from 389 to 411 ppm.

THen if you want those higher (optional, IMO), you can use less to boost them.

 

[C. Eymann]

Good advice has been given above, but If you are acting on the calcium reading your Trident is giving you, I would also follow up/compare with a titration test kit like Salifert or RedSea before making further adjustments.

Just my .02

 

[robert serafino]

thanks i will start to raise it