Reef Crystals & Calcium

Discussion in 'Water Chemistry' started by DLaratro, Dec 3, 2008.

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  1. DLaratro

    DLaratro Plankton

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    I have had my tank set up for a few months and I just recently bought Ca and KH tests because some of my coralline seems to be dying off. I've used nothing but Reef Crystals salt since I started my tank and when I just tested the Ca and KH they both seemed be well at or over what everyone has suggested they be, I'm don't remember the exact values unfortunately but I know the Ca was over 550 and KH was also over what it was supposed to be. I tested it 3 times and got the same values each time. My question is, is it possible to have that good of numbers without supplementing anything? ​
     
    DLaratro, Dec 3, 2008
    DLaratro, Dec 3, 2008
    #1

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  2. missionsix

    missionsix Super Moderator Staff Member

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    Don't forget your magnesium test kit. Without it your new kits are almost worthless. Or should I say, keeping the 2 parameters stable is a waste of time without first getting M[SUB]g[/SUB] to desired levels...
     
    missionsix, Dec 3, 2008
    missionsix, Dec 3, 2008
    #2
  3. jeremy_a

    jeremy_a Feather Duster

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    You should check mag too.
     
    jeremy_a, Dec 3, 2008
    jeremy_a, Dec 3, 2008
    #3
  4. reefman1132

    reefman1132 Skunk Shrimp

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    +2 on the mag
     
    reefman1132, Dec 3, 2008
    reefman1132, Dec 3, 2008
    #4
  5. missionsix

    missionsix Super Moderator Staff Member

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    And I wouldn't consider 550C[SUB]a[/SUB] and above normal K[SUB]h[/SUB], really good #'s unless it was a target #. And it is possible to have those numbers without adding supplementation.
     
    missionsix, Dec 3, 2008
    missionsix, Dec 3, 2008
    #5
  6. GuitarMan89

    GuitarMan89 Giant Squid

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    If you don't have many hard corals, clams, snails or other creatures that use Ca to build their shells or skeleton, then you won't use much, if any Ca and every time you do a water change you will be adding more Ca and Alk into the tank where it will accumulate because it's not being used. As a guide line, Reef Crystals has about 320ppm Ca at I believe 1.023 or 1.024 salinity. So if its up over 500ppm and you haven't added any supplements, then the your tank must not be using the Ca.
     
    GuitarMan89, Dec 3, 2008
    GuitarMan89, Dec 3, 2008
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  7. =Jwin=

    =Jwin= Tassled File Fish

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    Here's a quote from our LFS owner when we were buying our first bucket of salt.
    My .2
     
    =Jwin=, Dec 3, 2008
    =Jwin=, Dec 3, 2008
    #7
  8. Otty

    Otty Giant Squid

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    Find out what the Mag is. :)
     
    Otty, Dec 3, 2008
    Otty, Dec 3, 2008
    #8
  9. PharmrJohn

    PharmrJohn The Dude

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    I use reef crystals and have had to add Ca.
     
    PharmrJohn, Dec 3, 2008
    PharmrJohn, Dec 3, 2008
    #9
  10. Dr.Fragenstein

    Dr.Fragenstein Panda Puffer

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    It wouldn't completely shock me, but as noted RC typically runs low in Mg and Ca.
    Let me ask you this... Is there a little sticker on the front side with numbers on it? If so thats the lot # and you have one of the "newer" batches. Everyone that I know that has tested the new batch(I personally haven't-too busy) said the Ca runs from 360-400.
    Also what is your salinity?
    Brand of test kit you use?
    While I agree a Mg test will help you round everything out, it will not help you figure out why your Ca is so high.
    Do you use RO water? If not the tap water could be very hard in both general and carbonate hardness leading you into high kH and Ca levels.

    Good luck and good luck in chemistry class!
     
    Dr.Fragenstein, Dec 5, 2008
    Dr.Fragenstein, Dec 5, 2008
    #10
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