Anyone manage calcium though water changes?

crrichey · #1 09/16/2006, 02:08 AM

Pretty simple question, does anyone maintain their calcium and alk levels just be doing water changes?

Wiskey · #2 09/16/2006, 02:09 AM

On a SPS tank, short of doing 75% water changes many times per week I don't think that is possible.

Right now my tank is sucking down 110 ML of both alk and CA daily, and it's still just frags. That's allot of water changes worth.

Whiskey

Wiskey · #3 09/16/2006, 02:10 AM

Oops, sorry, that's 110 ML of Alk and CA using Randy's 2 part. (forgot the last bit)

Whiskey

crrichey · #4 09/16/2006, 02:19 AM

What about something similar to a constant water change?

Sudad · #5 09/16/2006, 06:56 AM

For me it's impossible to manage the calcium and alk levels only by waterchanges in a SPS-tank. In a softcoral tank it might be possible, but in a SPS tank it wouldn't be.

I change the water two times a week (every time 5 %) - that is 40 % at month. And I still need 100 ml calcium, 100 ml carbonats at day.

I use the "balling method" to increase the calcium and alk levels.

Sometimes I put AragaMilk and Purple Up in my tank, some natural calcium additives.

But the most part comes from the "balling method" (Calciumchlorid, Natriumhydrogencarbonat and NaCl free Mineral Salt)

Greetings

Sudad

dvanacker · #6 09/16/2006, 08:59 AM

I think its safe to say....this is NOT possible with an SPS reef.

REEF-DADDY · #7 09/16/2006, 09:25 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by ChinChek787
What about something similar to a constant water change?

You'd still need to do a high% water change, and most salts are below what we like to keep our reefs at anyway

crrichey · #8 09/16/2006, 01:49 PM

I would say that oceanic would be a fine canidate. I was thinking about doing 5 gallons a day on my 29 gallon (thats over 100% a week).

REEF-DADDY · #9 09/16/2006, 02:25 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ChinChek787
I would say that oceanic would be a fine canidate. I was thinking about doing 5 gallons a day on my 29 gallon (thats over 100% a week).

But wouldnt it be easier to get some dow flake and baking soda and make some 2 part?

Amphiprion · #10 09/16/2006, 04:07 PM

The little tank I maintain at work gets a 50% 2-3x per week (sometimes more), maintaining adequate calcium and alkalinity levels. Certainly isn't practical for larger tanks.

dvanacker · #11 09/16/2006, 08:59 PM

Oh...well I guess it would be possible for a small tank....but not very practical. Cost would be a major deterrent I would think.

crrichey · #12 09/16/2006, 11:53 PM

Cost maybe but its also a great way to keep nitrate and phosphate levels in check (if u are having any anyway

) Kill 4 birds with one expensive stone

ciaolong · #13 09/17/2006, 03:26 AM

i keep mine up with regular water changes around 5% per day sucking all the **** (bb) i have maybe 10 frags ? and 2 colonies
though once they start growning more and my coraline grows more i will need to get my CR or addtives running

note the water i use is NSW cause in australia is cheap and alot of it :P