Turn off filters for adding calcium and alkalinity supplements

[FishAddict413]

This might be a dumb question....When adding calcium/alkalinity buffers, do I need to turn off my canister and emperor 400 filter and protein skimmer? I sometimes do and sometimes don't. Do these have the capability of filtering out the effect of the supplements? The reason I ask is I have been adding calcium buffers every other day or so and I can't get my calcium to 400. The closest I get is 380 or so.

 

[melosu58]

380 is not that bad. Maybe mix it in your PWC water or top off water and then add.

 

[brian242pa]

mines like 520 but im bringing down

 

[Son of Red]

Didn't I read somewhere about Magnesium levels effecting how high calcium could go?

 

[cmor1701d]

Mag should be about 3x Ca. Raising Ca reduces Alk and all 3 must be maintained in balance. That's why there are so many 2-part solutions available.