What should CA levels be.

[partagas]

Sorry but I am a newbie in this area. I have a ton of green hair algea and I have read here that it could be due to low CA level. Well I went out and bought a test kit and if I understand what it says my levels are 375. The test kit said to add drops until water is blue then mult. by 15. Well I added 25 drops * 15 = 375. Is that good or bad???? The kit did not say what the levels should be.

Thanks

[Vagabond-traveller]

I believe that natural sea water contains 425-450ppm.

HTH

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

I doubt that your hair algae is related to low calcium. More likely, elevated nutrients that the algae use, like nitrate and phosphate.

I would nevertheless bring the calcium up a bit. The second article describes how using clacium chloride (like Kent's turbo calcium).

These articles should help:

Reef Aquarium Water Parameters (a summary general article)
http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-05/rhf/index.htm

Solving Calcium and Alkalinity Problems
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/nov2002/chem.htm

Phosphate Issues
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/sept2002/chem.htm

Nitrate Issues
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/august2003/chem.htm

[partagas]

Thank you for the 411

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

You're welcome.

Happy Reefing. :)

[partagas]

Happy reefing. After reading those links. I feel like I am back in school failing chem class....

LOL

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

:lol:

We'll, we'll keep you from failing. :)