Is this calculation correct?

Dom · Jun 26, 2020

Please help me with my math...

I'm dealing with a low Calcium issue in one of my tanks and started dripping Kalkwasser 24 hours ago.

Initially, my Calcium tested 200. Today, I calculated it to be at 275. I say calculated because the Red Sea reagent use card shows the lowest reagent use at .58ml which equals a calcium level of 290.

I used .55ml of reagent, which isn't listed on the chart. So I used a proportion to calculate the Calcium. My formula was:

If .58ml reagent = Calcium of 290, .55ml reagent = Calcium of X.

.58 = .55
290 = X

Cross multiply:

.58X = 159.5

Divide through by .58

X = 275

Is this correct?

Randy Holmes-Farley · Jun 26, 2020

Dom said:
Please help me with my math...

I'm dealing with a low Calcium issue in one of my tanks and started dripping Kalkwasser 24 hours ago.

Initially, my Calcium tested 200. Today, I calculated it to be at 275. I say calculated because the Red Sea reagent use card shows the lowest reagent use at .58ml which equals a calcium level of 290.

I used .55ml of reagent, which isn't listed on the chart. So I used a proportion to calculate the Calcium. My formula was:

If .58ml reagent = Calcium of 290, .55ml reagent = Calcium of X.

.58 = .55
290 = X

Cross multiply:

.58X = 159.5

Divide through by .58

X = 275

Is this correct?

Ignoring the math (which seems fine but is probably not the thing to focus on), I have two comments:

1. It is unlikely the calcium is that low,
and
2. kalkwasser is definitely not the product to use to boost calcium. A 200 ppm rise to calcium will boost alkalinity by 28 dKH.

Dom · Jun 26, 2020

Randy Holmes-Farley said:
Ignoring the math (which seems fine but is probably not the thing to focus on), I have two comments:

1. It is unlikely the calcium is that low,
and
2. kalkwasser is definitely not the product to use to boost calcium. A 200 ppm rise to calcium will boost alkalinity by 28 dKH.

What would you suggest?

Also, API test shows Calcium at 280. Red Sea at 275.

BRS video shows that Kalkwasser dosing is an "easy way to maintain ALK, Ca and pH".

Also, my ALK has gone from 8.5 to 12.2 in the 24 hours that I have been dosing Kalkwasser.

Rybren · Jun 26, 2020

You should use the calcium portion of a 2-part to raise your calcium levels. As Randy pointed out and you have observed, using Kalk to raise Calcium will also raise alk very significantly.

Kalk is fine to use once you have achieved your desired numbers. It does a good job of maintaining them.

I would, however, get a new test kit before making any adjustments.

Dom · Jun 26, 2020

I've stopped the Kalkwasser drip for now and have ordered this:

Magnesion - Liquid Magnesium Reef Additive

Brightwell’s MagnesION is part of a complete system for maintaining the major elements. The liquid forms are ready for use in a dosing pump and when coupled with Alkalin8.3 and CalcION, it is convenient and simple to maintain stable levels of each of these critical components. Overview...

www.bulkreefsupply.com

Once my Mg levels fall into place, I'm hoping Calcium and ALK will fall into place. If not, then I will move forward with other supplementation.

Randy Holmes-Farley · Jun 26, 2020

Nothing is going to fall into place without dosing a calcium only supplement.

what is the magnesium level?

maybe the primary issue is low salinity, which takes everything down.

kalkwasser will do as described. It is all I used for 20 years. But it raises both alk and calcium, and that never works for a substantial calcium boost.

Dom · Jun 26, 2020

Randy Holmes-Farley said:
Nothing is going to fall into place without dosing a calcium only supplement.

what is the magnesium level?

maybe the primary issue is low salinity, which takes everything down.

kalkwasser will do as described. It is all I used for 20 years. But it raises both alk and calcium, and that never works for a substantial calcium boost.

My test results as of this morning (6/26):

pH = 8.2
Salinity = 35 ppt
Alk = 12.3
Ca = 275
Mg = 800
PO4 = .12
NO3 = 0

Calcium and Magnesium are low. And I'm also getting a very light precipitation at the waterline of the heater.

And yes, as my Ca has come up, I have observed an increase in the ALK as well.

I read your article on using epsom salt to increase Mg. But decided against using it as you don't recommend it as a long-term solution to maintaining Mg levels.

rushbattle · Jun 26, 2020

How do you measure salinity? It’s highly likely you have very low salinity.

Dom · Jun 26, 2020

rushbattle said:
How do you measure salinity? It’s highly likely you have very low salinity.

I measure using a refractometer (and yes, it is calibrated). As of this morning's tests, my salinity is at 35 ppt.

I really believe that this tank has ridiculous consumption of elements.

My Zoa, which started out as a frag on a 1 inch ceramic tile is all but covering the tank bottom, a large portion of the rock work and some plumbing.

My Hammer, which started as two heads is about 40 heads and the size of a grapefruit.

Dom · Jun 26, 2020

@rushbattle I don't know where to start. I feel foolish.

I confess that I calibrated my refractometer when I purchased it... 2 years ago. So I decided to check the calibration and it needed to be adjusted! I don't understand how it loses calibration (uncalibrated?).

Anyway, recalibrated and now read a salinity of 30ppt. You were right.

Are you saying that this alone is the source of my problem?

rushbattle · Jun 26, 2020

Dom said:
@rushbattle I don't know where to start. I feel foolish.

I confess that I calibrated my refractometer when I purchased it... 2 years ago. So I decided to check the calibration and it needed to be adjusted! I don't understand how it loses calibration (uncalibrated?).

Anyway, recalibrated and now read a salinity of 30ppt. You were right.

Are you saying that this alone is the source of my problem?

It’s pretty likely correcting that will mostly correct for all of the other problems. I haven’t done the math to get equivalent concentrations at 30ppt, but seems like it will account for a good bit of the deficiencies. Double check your calibration solution if it is in a bottle. I started using the packets to be sure it wasn’t off due to evap in the bottle.

Dom · Jun 26, 2020

rushbattle said:
It’s pretty likely correcting that will mostly correct for all of the other problems. I haven’t done the math to get equivalent concentrations at 30ppt, but seems like it will account for a good bit of the deficiencies. Double check your calibration solution if it is in a bottle. I started using the packets to be sure it wasn’t off due to evap in the bottle.

I'll let you know... thank you.

Cory · Jun 26, 2020

Yes salinity is the measure of all salts dissolved basically. So if its low, everything else will be low. Like calcium and magnesium. Let the water evaporate will also increase the salinity and raise your calcium and magnesium to normal numbers without dosing.

Fwiw zoas use very very little calcium or magnesium.

Potatohead · Jun 26, 2020

Raise it slowly as stated through evap and water changes. Top off part salt water for a while, I would probably take a couple weeks to go from 30-35 ppt if you have stony corals in the tank.

I calibrate my refracto every second or third time I use it.

Dom · Jun 27, 2020

Cory said:
Fwiw zoas use very very little calcium or magnesium.

The tank has become so over-grown with them. I wish I could find a good home to give them away.

Dom · Jul 18, 2020

UPDATE:

So the salinity is corrected. I elevated it by adjusting the water level in the sump. By reducing the volume of water in the sump, my salinity came up.

But 7 days after getting salinity correct, the calcium only came up to 340 from 290. So after dosing 20ml of Kent Marine Calcium Supplement daily for 10 days, my calcium currently sits in the 420 - 440 range.

I found that backing off to a 10ml daily supplement keeps the calcium level in that range.

So apparently, calcium consumption in the tank is greater than what can be replaced by weekly water changes.

The RTN of the coral which is at the center of this, has improved. There is new tissue growth. If only it would bounce back as quickly as it deteriorated. LOL

Thank you for the help.

Dom