How do I raise the calcium correctly

[InfernoST]

I need to raise the Calcium level in my tank, currently Calcium 340-360 with the DKH at 11 and PH=8.3. I want bring the calcium up to 450 without the use of a reactor and without my alkalinity dropping thru floor and with little or no effect on my PH. How can I accomplish this?

 

[ccCapt]

Buy calcium chloride. Either Kent Turbo Calcium or much cheaper and the same thing is calcium chloride from Bulk Reef Supply.
Then use this Reef Chemistry Calculator to figure out how much you need to dose.

 

[InfernoST]

Thanks for the info but what do I do with the alkalinity?

 

[SparKy697]

If you are starting to get enough coral in that tank where ca and alk are becoming a problem, you may want to consider a two part system.

Bulk Reef Supply - Bulk Reef Supply

That is a very easy way to start out.

 

[ccCapt]

Thanks for the info but what do I do with the alkalinity?

Just buy Arm & Hammer baking soda if you need to raise alk. Use the same calculator I linked to above.
This is a "must read" article if you need to dose ca/alk/mag and want to save yourself some $$$$.
An Improved Do-it-Yourself Two-Part Calcium and Alkalinity Supplement System by Randy Holmes-Farley - Reefkeeping.com

 

[InfernoST]

Thanks Guys. I'll check out both options.

 

[Kurt_Nelson]

Bumping up the Calcium the amount you're talking about shouldn't drop the calcium "through the floor". It'll probably be lower, but I bet once you get it where you want it your alkalinity will still be OK since you're sitting at 11 now.

 

[InfernoST]

Bumping up the Calcium the amount you're talking about shouldn't drop the calcium "through the floor". It'll probably be lower, but I bet once you get it where you want it your alkalinity will still be OK since you're sitting at 11 now.

I just started making the transition to reef crystals from IO. I did start dosing calcium and the alk dropped to 8 in three days so i picked up a B-ionic 2 part and that brought both up nicely without affecting the PH, which brought the calc up to 400 and the alk up to 10. I stopped the two part because I did a 30% pwc with 50% RC and 50% IO, now the calc is 440 and the alk 11 with ph at 8.3.

 

[thincat]

What was the Ca and Alk of the RC salt mix out of the box?

 

[Kurt_Nelson]

Alk of 8 is no big deal. I run around 420/8 and everything seems happy.

 

[InfernoST]

What was the Ca and Alk of the RC salt mix out of the box?

Out of the box the reef crystals tested 480 cal and 11 alk.

 

[InfernoST]

Alk of 8 is no big deal. I run around 420/8 and everything seems happy.

I'm still learning about saltwater and it's important for me to fully understand cause & effect, how to identify and rectify problems when it comes to the systems chemistry (this part of it makes me a little nervous).

 

[ccCapt]

Alk of 8 is no big deal. I run around 420/8 and everything seems happy.

That's pretty much the parameters I aim for too.

 

[InfernoST]

That's pretty much the parameters I aim for too.

That's good to know guys. Thanks for your input.

 

[Kurt_Nelson]

Out of the box the reef crystals tested 480 cal and 11 alk.

You might double check that Calcium level with another test kit if you're shooting for an exact number. Seems a bit high, depending on the salinity you mixed it up to. Reef Crystals has just recently changed their formulation, upping the calcium and alkalinity levels - but not 480. I *think* my latest "new" bucket of RC tested in around 420 calcium and 12 alk after 24 hours of mixing (mixed to 1.025).

 

[InfernoST]

You might double check that Calcium level with another test kit if you're shooting for an exact number. Seems a bit high, depending on the salinity you mixed it up to. Reef Crystals has just recently changed their formulation, upping the calcium and alkalinity levels - but not 480. I *think* my latest "new" bucket of RC tested in around 420 calcium and 12 alk after 24 hours of mixing (mixed to 1.025).

I got the box version which shouldn't make a difference and it was mixed to 1.026. What i did prior was dump the bag into a 5 gallon bucket and mixed the crap out of it. I did this based on some test results I've read that some of the components of the salt mix settle in the bottom of the bag. I have two separate API calcium test kits and two different manufacturers for the ALK (API and Tetra). I'll whip up a gallon, re-test and get back to you.

 

[InfernoST]

Kurt
It's almost 24hrs later and my 1 gallon test results are as follows for salinity 1.026 @ 80 degrees F. I used two different calcium test kits both from API and 2 test kits for ALK 1 from API and the other from Tetra.
Calcium = 460
Alk = 12

 

[Kurt_Nelson]

Hmm. OK... as long as you double checked, that's cool. All test kits have a margin for error, but as long as you use the same one all the time, then you're consistent at least.

 

[ccCapt]

Those #'s look about right to me. IO and RC both have new formula's now.
Reef Central Online Community - A General Guide to Salt Mixes