Precipitation

[bif24701]

Does precipitation favor calcium ions over ALK? As in does it consume Cal faster than ALK would normally be consumed? Cal/ALK are consumed at the same rate by our corals and my Kalk should supplement those equally. However I tested my Cal and it was 350 yet ALK was 10 dKH. Luckily only effects I've seen were slow growth rates and hopefully that is the fix.

Please advise

Thank you

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Precipitation normally means calcium carbonate, which consumes about 18-20 ppm of calcium per 1 meq/L (2.8 dKH) of alkalinity. Limewater (kalkwasser) supplies 20 ppm calcium per 2.8 dKH of alk. So precipitation is not the cause of lowered calcium.

The range for calcium is because some magnesium and strontium gets into the structure in place of calcium.

If calcium is low, it is probably because of using a lower calcium or higher alk salt mix.