Ca 380, Alk 9, ph 8.2 - How to raise Ca?
 

I have a 180g with many SPS frags. Currently dosing 100ml (each component) B-ionic daily, and have a Calcium reactor coming in at the end of the week.

I'd like to get my Ca up to about 420-450 before firing up the reactor.

Can I do a one-time big dose of the Calcium-part of my B-ionic to get the level up? I'd then go back to 100ml additions daily until my reactor arrives to maintain those levels.

Is it safe to add that much calcium at once?

Thanks

Yes, or just use a calcium only supplement (calcium chloride), such as Dowflake, ESV brand, etc.

This shows how much to use:

Reef chemicals calculator
[url]http://home.comcast.net/~jdieck1/chem_calc3.html[/url]

Thanks for your quick reply, Randy!

What is the difference between using the B-Ionic (calcium part) vs. the ESV Calcium Chloride? Which would you recommend?

I used the calculator you linked me, and it says to add 960ml of the B-Ionic (calcium) to raise my level to 450. Would I add this in phases? e.g. 1/3 today, 1/3 24hrs later, 1/3 final day?

Or, can I dump it all in at once?

Do I need to worry about ppt?

The B-ionic has some other ingredients to make it an ionically balanced supplement when both parts are used. That is not worse for use alone, IMO, but is not necessarily better either, and it is more expensive.

You could boost calcium by 50-100 ppm at once. I'm not sure how much you are planning.

Thanks, Randy. I'm looking to boost 40-70. I'll look for some ESV Calcium Chloride

:thumbsup:

Good luck. :)

Update. Everything went well! Ca levels up, and all other parameters still looking good.

Before After
Ca 380 462
Alk 9 9
pH 8.2 8.2

I shot past the 450 I was shooting for. I must have overestimated my tank's total volume.

Thanks, Randy!
Ready for my new reactor:)

Randy: Would you recommend Seachem's Reef Adv. Calcium as well? Also, do you find that Kalkwasser makes calcium consumption more efficient? Glad to hear that you got your Calc. up so well Tbone!

Thanks! I was always nervous about dumping that much calcium all at once - I added 750ml! But Randy put me at ease, and with good reason!

My reactor is supposed to arrive tomorrow. What awesome timing! :rollface:

[QUOTE][i]<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11571976#post11571976 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by kaserpick [/i]
[B]Randy: Would you recommend Seachem's Reef Adv. Calcium as well? Also, do you find that Kalkwasser makes calcium consumption more efficient? Glad to hear that you got your Calc. up so well Tbone! [/B][/QUOTE]

That product isn't quite as potent as say Turbo Calcium, ESV, or Seachems Reef Complete. It will take more of that product to raise calcium than the 3 I listed.

Kalkwasser (limewater) helps maintain calcium and alkalinity. If you dose limewater on a regular basis you will surely need less of a calcium and alkalinity supplement to maintain where you want to be. :)

I ended up using the calcium component of my B-ionic. I considered buying ESV Calcium Chloride, but went with the B-ionic, since I probably won't be using it anymore after my reactor's set up.

[B]Thanks, Randy!
Ready for my new reactor[/B]

:thumbsup:

Good luck. :)

[B]Randy: Would you recommend Seachem's Reef Adv. Calcium as well? [/B]

It is likely a fine calcium supplement. Other brands are also fine. Kent Turbo calcium, Kent liquid calcium, ESV, Dowflake from twopartsolutions, etc. :)

[B]Also, do you find that Kalkwasser makes calcium consumption more efficient? [/B]

Higher pH and higher alkalinity lead to higher demand in the tank. Some of that may be coral use, and some will be abiotic precipitation of calcium carbonate. The latter is not necessarily a bad thing in reasonable amounts, as it makes the exact dose of calcium and alkalinity supplements not that critical, and it may help reduce phosphate.