Calcium Levels

I don't know why but I find the API test kits hard to read. But yea since your tank is so small it is gonna be hard but it sounds like you are on the rite path.

 

Alot of good suggestions. I will order them online. ) My calcium level this morning was 400 ! I am getting there.
I love this site. You can learn so much from others.

 

Not true if the others are in balance. I kept my Mg at ~1600, Ca at 520 and dKH at 14 and my tank thrived. I have since lowered it back to 1400, 440 and 10 after my clam died, since I don't need the Ca kept high.

 

thats good that 520,14,1600 worked for you. but from reading many coral care specs, alot of coral like 8-12dkh. I've also have seen there's no evidence that calcium over 450 has any benefit to corals. but this is only what I've taken in over the last year on the internet.. I noticed when my dkh was 14+ and after I got it to 12 dkh my polyps were fully extending and my zoas where super big. also when your parms where 520,14,1600 what was your salinity 1.027-1.028? those numbers would almost seem like your salinity was way high just to hold those numbers stable.. but thats JMHO. here's a ideal water parms tables.. I know its generalized..


Parameter Suggested Level:
Reef Aquarium Suggested Level:

Specific Gravity 1.023 - 1.025
Temperature 72 - 78°F
pH 8.1 - 8.4
Alkalinity 8 - 12 dKH
Ammonia (NH3) Undetectable
Nitrite (NO2) Undetectable
Nitrate - Nitrogen (NO3) < 1.0 ppm
Phosphate (PO4) < 0.2 ppm
Calcium 350 - 450 ppm
Magnesium 1250 - 1350 ppm
Iodine 0.06 - 0.10 ppm
Strontium 8 - 14 ppm

 

I always keep my SG at 1.024. I have an ATO system to keep that stable too. I'd have ot add a CO2/Ca reactor to make it more stable, but I really don't want to do that for such a small tank. The only reason why I kept my parameters so high was due to the Ca needs of my maxima clam. Before I bought him, I kept my tank at the normal (1400, 440, 10) levels. I bought it on Sunday at last year's MAX show and when I tested my water by Wednesday, my levels had been dropped down to 370, <1200, and 7. I always read that clams will absorb a ton of Ca, but I didn't realize it would to that degree. Maybe it was a combination of the clam, my growing coralline algae, and halimeda, but keeping my levels high was the only option, or it would have meant dosing every other day. Funny thing is, my new crocea isn't sucking the elements the way the maxima did.