Calcium Supplements?

[TeenReefer]

I recently got new lighting for my tank and want to start adding some corals within the next month. I have purple coralline algea spreadin like crazy in my tank right now, but i know corals need calcium and other supplements for their exoskeletons. What supplements should i get (i looked at complete reef and kent products) and hom do you measure the level (test kits and ppm?). Also would like to know ideal calcium levels of a reef tank. Thanks!

 

[melosu58]

If you alredy had a large amount of corals I would say maybe you need supplement but since you are just starting with them I would say that weekly PWC would be enough. The fact that you have good corraline algea tells you that calcium is OK for now. I have a whole tank full of corals and I still just do weekly PWC and calcium stays between 375-425. If for some reason I have to go a couple weeks before PWC I use Tropic Marin Bio calcium. but most of the time I just do PWC. Get a Calcium test done before you add any. More than likely you wont need any.

 

[TeenReefer]

Thanks for clearing that up for me! appreciate it.

 

[seaham358]

you also need to monitor your alkalinity, they work together..

 

[TeenReefer]

alkalinity is 300 ppm. is that good?

 

[jasno999]

What is a good alkalinity

 

[steve-s]

150-170 ppm.

Cheers
Steve