Low Calcium Level

Discussion in 'General Reef Topics' started by jfenton954, Mar 13, 2012.

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  1. jfenton954

    jfenton954 Spanish Shawl Nudibranch

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    I have a 75g reef tank with 2x 250w mh, 4x 54w actinic t5s lights. Around 175 lbs of coraline covered live rock. I've noticed that there are white spots all over the tank so I googled it. I read about low Alk levels so I tested it, it's at 8. Then I read about low calcium levels so I tested it, it was at 320 :(. I do a 10% weekly water change with Tropic Marin Pro. What could cause calcium levels to drop that fast?
     
    jfenton954, Mar 13, 2012
    jfenton954, Mar 13, 2012
    #1

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  2. SAY

    SAY Ocellaris Clown

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    Do you have any corals or clams? Do you dose calcium?
     
    SAY, Mar 13, 2012
    SAY, Mar 13, 2012
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  3. chumslickjon

    chumslickjon Purple Spiny Lobster

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    Maybe the coraline would consume calcium?
     
    chumslickjon, Mar 13, 2012
    chumslickjon, Mar 13, 2012
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  4. SAY

    SAY Ocellaris Clown

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    coraline does consume calcium. however, i would expect 10% weekly water changes to be enough to sustain the coraline alone.
     
    SAY, Mar 13, 2012
    SAY, Mar 13, 2012
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  5. element

    element Fire Worm

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    How fast? It has probably been dropping all along. If you have any corals you may have to dose daily. I have to, sps uses alot of ca.
     
    element, Mar 13, 2012
    element, Mar 13, 2012
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  6. chumslickjon

    chumslickjon Purple Spiny Lobster

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    Do you know if LPS uses a lot?
     
    chumslickjon, Mar 13, 2012
    chumslickjon, Mar 13, 2012
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  7. SAY

    SAY Ocellaris Clown

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    i'm not sure how much they need but they definitely need.
     
    SAY, Mar 13, 2012
    SAY, Mar 13, 2012
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  8. jfenton954

    jfenton954 Spanish Shawl Nudibranch

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    Yes I have sps, lps, an just got a small maxima clam.
     
    jfenton954, Mar 13, 2012
    jfenton954, Mar 13, 2012
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  9. element

    element Fire Worm

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    I would dose at max until you get the ca where you want it. Test, and test the next day to figure the ca loss. There are many ca additives and all have formulas to figure dosing to maintain levels. I use brightwell. You need to maintain your Kh as well as it will be depleated faster than Ca.
     
    element, Mar 13, 2012
    element, Mar 13, 2012
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  10. SAY

    SAY Ocellaris Clown

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    Yes will definitely have to start dosing. Corals and clam are consuming faster than you are replenishing with the water changes.
     
    SAY, Mar 13, 2012
    SAY, Mar 13, 2012
    #10
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