kalkwasser or Kent liquid calcium.

JVH · May 19, 2015

I have added other calcium supplements and purple up which should raid it as well. My Calcium runs about 320. I know it could be a Mag issue and I did get a Mag test kit bt I am not getting any reading on the test.. I recently heard the kalkwasser is easy to use and will raise the calcium and magnesium and keep PH in check (mine is usually 8.0 depending on the time of day) BRS video says its easy for beginners and will provide crystal clear water also..
Will the liquid calcium supplements do the same? Will Kalkwasser really make a difference?

Would love some opinions and the calcium subject.
My DT is 29g with lots of corals and frags and inverts everyone is thriving! (Fish are in QT)

Randy Holmes-Farley · May 19, 2015

OK, let's back up.

Limewater (kalkwasser) cannot be used to make a significant calcium boost as it adds both alkalinity and calcium, and for a 20 ppm boost to calcium it will boost alkalinity by 2.8 dKH. So a 100 ppm boost to calcium with it would shoot alkalinity through the roof. It is a fine way to add both, and its what I've used for 20 years, but its not your answer. Limewater does not add magnesium.

I'd stop using Purple Up as the calcium and alkalinity in it won't dissolve in seawater. The fine aragonite part of it is just expensive sand.

Magnesium is also not likely your answer as it is likely almost exactly what it came in at in your salt mix, and is likely fine. Unless you are dosing lots of calcium and alkalinity, the magnesium is likely depleting less than 1 ppm per day.

What salt mix are you using? I'd double check the calcium kit on it to see if it is working.

If it is low, calcium chloride is the way to make significant one-time corrections to calcium.

A two part system (such as the BRS DIY or a commercial one such as B-ionic) are fine for maintenance, as is limewater if you have a way to add it slowly enough.

JVH · May 19, 2015

I am using Instant Ocean Reef crystals. I hand mix. I add reef crystals slowly to the water and use a maxi pump to aerate. My test kit is my original API. I have been slowly switching over to better test kits. Maybe I should try another test kit first? I can't seem to get readings above 340 on my API test. I have added Purple up and I do have another liquid calcium supplement I have alternated with but my numbers still seem low.

Randy Holmes-Farley · May 19, 2015

Try the kit on some of the Reef Crystals mix.

What is the salinity you are at?

JVH · May 19, 2015

Randy Holmes-Farley said:
Try the kit on some of the Reef Crystals mix.

What is the salinity you are at?

1.025

Randy Holmes-Farley · May 19, 2015

Then the Reef Crystals should be 400 ppm or higher. If not, the kit isn't likely working right.

JVH · May 19, 2015

Randy Holmes-Farley said:
Then the Reef Crystals should be 400 ppm or higher. If not, the kit isn't likely working right.

Any suggestions? My coral is thriving under my new kessel light and all water parameters are always fine.. Calcium is the only thing I cant seem to get in check.. Maybe it's ok anyway but I don't know what it's not where it should be.

Randy Holmes-Farley · May 20, 2015

My suggestion is to use your kit on the Reef Crystals to see what value you get as a way of double checking the kit, before we worry about ways to raise the calcium more, since it may not be as low as you think.

Getting a calcium check with another kit is also worthwhile if there is reason to be concerned.

Raising calcium is easy to do with calcium chloride. There is never a time when it won't work as long as you add enough and are not simultaneously adding too much alkalinity.

JVH · May 20, 2015

Randy Holmes-Farley said:
My suggestion is to use your kit on the Reef Crystals to see what value you get as a way of double checking the kit, before we worry about ways to raise the calcium more, since it may not be as low as you think.

Getting a calcium check with another kit is also worthwhile if there is reason to be concerned.

Raising calcium is easy to do with calcium chloride. There is never a time when it won't work as long as you add enough and are not simultaneously adding too much alkalinity.[/

I am pretty sure according to the package of reef crystals my calcium is still low and I am using a refractometer to measure my salinity so I'm pretty sure that is correct..

Well I'm going to start by picking up a new calcium test kit today. time to replace my API tests sooner than later.. In your opinion with corals my calcium should be up around 380 to 400 isn't that correct? I am not that far off I just don't want problems down the road.

Well, thanks for your help I'll post again once I get a new test kit and see where I'm at ..

Judith