Always Low on Calcium?
- Thread starter Jaketit
- Start date
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Acan
And some other randoms. Every time I get my water tested my calcium is at around 380. I do weekly or some times biweekly water changes with water from the lfs. I have been dosing calcium feels like forever but it rarely goes up. When it does it won't stay there long
And some other randoms. Every time I get my water tested my calcium is at around 380. I do weekly or some times biweekly water changes with water from the lfs. I have been dosing calcium feels like forever but it rarely goes up. When it does it won't stay there long
oyf709
Aquarium Advice FINatic
check KH, unstable KH can lead to unstable calcium level also
Hondatek
Aquarium Advice Addict
First thing I would do is test your lfs waters calcium level to make sure you aren't starting low from the start. The corals you listed aren't really big calcium consumers like some sps.
Justintotank
Aquarium Advice Apprentice
Yes KH can be your culprit, but from my understanding Mg and Ca react with one another in your tank water, so your Mg levels may also directly affect the stability or fluctuation of your Ca in your water.
Well my coraline has been going ape on the glass lately. Lfs says that is probably sucking up a lot of the calcium. They said 380 is just alittle low. It is just weird because I always feel like my led lighting is fueling coraline but burning my coral.
daney90
Aquarium Advice FINatic
Im having the same problem. What kind of salt are you using? Im using reef crystals and KH and calcium has been low..
Convict2161
Aquarium Advice Addict
I had that issue, I use the same salt. Reef crystals from instant ocean. I had to start dosing B-ionic 2 part every night at 8mL's. everything is very happy and growing well now.
I just recently changed salts
I used IO reef crystals always had issues with all my water parameters
so I tried Kent marine reef salt and I love it
not only did all my problems go away my corals doubled in size
and my Coraline growth kicked in
everything seems so much happier now
I also put 1 drop iodine every night
hold steady salinity of 1.025 calcium sits steady at 470 kh is 11.5
I used IO reef crystals always had issues with all my water parameters
so I tried Kent marine reef salt and I love it
not only did all my problems go away my corals doubled in size
and my Coraline growth kicked in
everything seems so much happier now
I also put 1 drop iodine every night
hold steady salinity of 1.025 calcium sits steady at 470 kh is 11.5
bigben2057
Aquarium Advice FINatic
Also just changed to kents reef salt and love it coraline also went crazy lol only problem sometimes the alk mixes low but then i just add a buffer.
I always roll my tub of salt before I start mixing water
Do you circulate and air rate your water a day or so before adding to your tank
I run airline into powerhead and air rate atleast 24hrs before adding to tank
whats your kh/alk look like
Do you circulate and air rate your water a day or so before adding to your tank
I run airline into powerhead and air rate atleast 24hrs before adding to tank
whats your kh/alk look like
Sniperhank
Giant Clam Addict
I'd say switch salts. I just stopped using IO salt after having alk issues and switched to Kent for my reef, I like their higher mix w/ calcium and so on.
What test are you using for your calcium? It might be you are using an inaccurate test.
What test are you using for your calcium? It might be you are using an inaccurate test.
Convict2161
Aquarium Advice Addict
You guys are making me wanna change but I gotta stick with the old rule... "If ain't broke why fix it" the B-ionic seems to be doing the trick, in my case anyway but... It does get expensive.
Sniperhank
Giant Clam Addict
Don't know if the salt was the issue or not, just switching it up. MRC's tank looks straight amazing under it, so I'm hoping mine will follow suit.
Convict2161
Aquarium Advice Addict
Can't argue with his tank lol
daney90
Aquarium Advice FINatic
Lol!!! True im thinking of changin my salt too causing dosing will eventually more expesive but heck i still have 5 buckets of reef crystals i bought half price on Boxing Day.
Sniperhank
Giant Clam Addict
Sell it to a friend at half price, it's what I did with my unopened box.
Schism
Aquarium Advice Addict
Jakeit, you need to check your magnesium levels.
Dosing just calcium is gonna cuase balance issues. If coralline is stripping your waters of calcium it would also be removing alk and mag.
Dosing just calcium is gonna cuase balance issues. If coralline is stripping your waters of calcium it would also be removing alk and mag.
You should try making your own... it is MUCH cheaper.
Bulk Reef Supply has some great vids on mixing it and some great calculators, etc.
Calcium and Alkalinity Additives - Bulk Reef Supply
