Ca level for coralline?

[hdevils]

Just added my first gallon of kalk (Ball Pickling lime) to get some coralline growth (2 tsp per gal). I did my first Ca test and it came to 350 i think.... At what level should I be to get some good coralline coverage?

[Reefmedic79]

You didn't add your first gallon all at once, did you?
Your goal for coralline is above 400 ppm.

[hdevils]

nooooooooo. made a DIY drip system. about 2 drips per second.

[Reefmedic79]

:thumbsup:
Whew.

[medik13]

Many recommend 450ppm CA

[Homey the Reefkeeper]

I've been trying to raise my Ca level to 450ppm as well and my current reading is about 350.

Should I be dosing daily until this level is reached? What is the dosage recommendation after the target level is obtained?

good thread hdevils :)

[jjjimmy]

How new is your set-up? It could take from 8mo to a year for your system to get saturated before your Ca levels start to rise and stay there unless you are running a Ca reactor.

[hdevils]

im approaching 4 months..

[Homey the Reefkeeper]

jjjimmy - my setup is a little over 3 months old now. I'm currently dosing ESV 2 part bionic solution (only using part 2 at this time).

I used the Reef chemistry calculator and based on my 450ppm target, it says I should dose a total of 750ml of the solution.

Here is the link:
Link to calculator (http://www.kademani.com/reefchem.htm)

[hdevils]

im using C-BALANCE made by twolittlefishes. pretty mucht the same thing as ESV. why are you only using part 2?

[Homey the Reefkeeper]

I'm using part 2 because I only want to raise Ca. My alkalinity may need adjustment but I haven't started toying with it yet.

[jjjimmy]

A healthy aquarium need to have a balance of all three parts Ca, Alk, & Mg. and IMO the longer you keep concentrating on one part and ignoring the rest, the more difficult it is going to be achieving a proper balance.

All need to be raised and/or lowered at the same time.

Corals need all parts to thrive not just one. Your calculatoris only as good as a "book scholar". Knowing what the book says is one thing, having the experience to tell you where the book is wrong is another.

[reeftechie]

Originally posted by fleetmarine79
You didn't add your first gallon all at once, did you?
Your goal for coralline is above 400 ppm.

haha, thinking the same thing. Good thing you added nice and slow. I have miny at 420-440 goes up a bit with each water change.


Good luck and keep us posted

[medik13]

Use turbo calcium or Seachems reef calcium to raise it quickly to your target. Then use your b-ionic for maintaining. calcium levels at your target.

Beware fast rises will cause Alk to lower. What I did was use Seachems Reef Advantage Calcium in alteranting doses with B-ionic Alk supplement only. I maxed out one day on the calcium (raises Ca by 25) then the next day I added my normal dose of B-ionic part 1. This brought my calcium up from 385 to 425 in a little over 1 week and maintained my Alk at normal levels.

[MiddletonMark]

Originally posted by jjjimmy
How new is your set-up? It could take from 8mo to a year for your system to get saturated before your Ca levels start to rise and stay there unless you are running a Ca reactor.

Huh? How does tank maturity/age factor into getting the Ca/Alk levels up to correct level?

I was able to do it 4-6 weeks into my tank ... and have kept them 400-450/8-11 dkh since. Just from 2-part.

--- Do note, most folks recommend Kalk for keeping levels stable once you've gotten them where you want ... but IMO and IME Kalk is very ineffective at raising your levels any significant degree.

That's my take on Kalk ... which I like and use ... but I use 2-part to adjust levels [and discontinue Kalk temporarily when things get off].

[Boemanation]

Medik,
How much Seachem did you add per day? I have been using seachem reef calcium, and reef complete twice a week (4 teaspoons) and have had a hard time getting my calcium up. I also alternate reef advantage calcium and reef builder (alk) in make-up water.

I will be getting 2 part b-ionic soon but if I can raise the ca with the supplements I have that would be preferable.

My tank is about 3 1/2 months old.

Thanks from a total newbie chemist.

[jjjimmy]

I believe that maturity of a tank does make a difference. If you are starting with all new live rock, new live sand. It all absorbs Ca. Until it all gets to a "saturation point" you will have a hard time getting your levels up.

[MiddletonMark]

How does rock absorb Calcium and Carbonate? Unless it's turning it into skeleton ... I guess that just doesn't logic to me.

I've been wrong before, but that seems really strange to me.

[michaelmcl47]

I been reading at the GARF site and they have a formula using sea chem products and using calium in their makeup water.Its in with the bullet-proof reefs.

[MiddletonMark]

Generally, for coralline [or corals] you want the water parameters discussed here:
http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-05/rhf/index.htm

I'd be tempted to ask Randy about this Calcium being absorbed into rocks - as I have't heard it before and he's probably the right guy to ask.

[R33f3r]

400-450 is good.

[hdevils]

Through everyones experience whats recommened to raise Ca/Alk levels?

been dripping kalk, and i have a two part C-BALANCE.

Before dripping Kalk (which is only a gal so far) Ca was at 350, and my goal is around 400-450 will test again soon