AquaReefer
Aquarium Advice Freak
Well Simple as that. Is to much Calcium a bad thing?
Is to much Calcium a Bad Thing?
- Thread starter AquaReefer
- Start date
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If you have answers, please help by responding to the unanswered posts.
If you have answers, please help by responding to the unanswered posts.
OP
OP
AquaReefer
Aquarium Advice Freak
OK thank you for the simple answer. Now could you explain for me. Like how it gets high, How can I lower it, What happens when it is to high, ect... TIA
JG
Aquarium Advice FINatic
Calcium ions are calcium atoms that have a +2 charge . This means that they are looking for a date with ions that have a negative charge. The compounds used as buffering agent in your tank supply these ions and are your hydroxide ions ( OH)-.
Think about the hydroxide ions as best friends who never separate while on a date. When they are all hanging out in the tank together, its like a massive pick-up seen at a local club. The calcium ion has such attitude ( the +2) charge, that he thinks he can hook up with two girls at once ( OH -). He will hook up with 2 of these at once since +2 and -2 = 0 charge.
However, if there are more calcium ions than there are available OH- ions, then not all of the calciums get to hook up and are left looking for other dates. So the buffering capacity of the OH- ions disappears as the OH- ions become linked with the calcium ions .
Calcium ions will also play this dating game with carbonate ions . You need to be careful as to which compound you use to introduce the calcium ions. If calcium comes in with chlorine as calcium chloride ( a very common calcium additive sold at the LFS), when the calcium decides to hook up with the OH or carbonate ions, Chlorine is left behind dateless and very unhappy. Increased chlorine ions are not particulary a good thing to have either.
Think about the hydroxide ions as best friends who never separate while on a date. When they are all hanging out in the tank together, its like a massive pick-up seen at a local club. The calcium ion has such attitude ( the +2) charge, that he thinks he can hook up with two girls at once ( OH -). He will hook up with 2 of these at once since +2 and -2 = 0 charge.
However, if there are more calcium ions than there are available OH- ions, then not all of the calciums get to hook up and are left looking for other dates. So the buffering capacity of the OH- ions disappears as the OH- ions become linked with the calcium ions .
Calcium ions will also play this dating game with carbonate ions . You need to be careful as to which compound you use to introduce the calcium ions. If calcium comes in with chlorine as calcium chloride ( a very common calcium additive sold at the LFS), when the calcium decides to hook up with the OH or carbonate ions, Chlorine is left behind dateless and very unhappy. Increased chlorine ions are not particulary a good thing to have either.
JG
Aquarium Advice FINatic
My pleasure !
JG
JG
JG
Aquarium Advice FINatic
yep -pretty much.... 
IworkatPSP
Aquarium Advice Activist
Recomended range is 450-500.
How would one lower calcium? Any products that do it?
How would one lower calcium? Any products that do it?
OP
OP
AquaReefer
Aquarium Advice Freak
Is there any way I can lower it?
cmor1701d
Aquarium Advice Addict
PWC should work. You could also add some Ca loving corals 
OP
OP
AquaReefer
Aquarium Advice Freak
yeah I figured Also I use spring water maybe I will mix up a bucket and see if it is high from the salt or water I use before it goes into the main tank
flanque
Aquarium Advice FINatic
- Joined
- Jun 9, 2004
- Messages
- 740
water changes could do it.
