another calcium problem

Discussion in 'Water Chemistry' started by Tight Lipped, Mar 21, 2008.

to remove this notice and enjoy 3reef content with less ads. 3reef membership is free.

  1. Tight Lipped

    Tight Lipped Astrea Snail

    Joined:
    Oct 17, 2007
    Messages:
    69
    I cannot get my calcium levels up at all, they have been stagnant at 320 to 340, I have been adding 1/4 tsp daily of kent turbo calcium and eml of purple up daily. The water is clear and ph is 8.3, I also dose with kalwasser once a week. I am afraid I may be adding too much chemicals.

    Does anyone have any suggestions here?

    When I first started to use the turbo in two days it was over 420 then crashed the next day.
     
  2. Click Here!

  3. amcarrig

    amcarrig Super Moderator

    Joined:
    Aug 4, 2004
    Messages:
    9,219
    Location:
    CT
    What are you alk and magnesium levels at?
     
  4. Tight Lipped

    Tight Lipped Astrea Snail

    Joined:
    Oct 17, 2007
    Messages:
    69
    I do not have a mag test but I can test the alk, not sure right now.
     
  5. Tangster

    Tangster 3reef Sponsor

    Joined:
    Aug 16, 2006
    Messages:
    5,644
    Location:
    Va/Ct
    You have to know the Alk and Mag levels thats a must.. Also how much are you dosing ? and what are you adding to rasie the ca level ?
     
  6. amcarrig

    amcarrig Super Moderator

    Joined:
    Aug 4, 2004
    Messages:
    9,219
    Location:
    CT
    Both alk and mag levels are needed in order to figure out where you problem lies. Can you bring a water sample to your lfs to test for mag for you?
     
  7. coral reefer

    coral reefer Giant Squid

    Joined:
    Jan 9, 2006
    Messages:
    4,860
    Location:
    Wonderland
    What do you have for a bioload that requires calcium? That must be factored into the equasion as well.
     
  8. Click Here!

  9. Tight Lipped

    Tight Lipped Astrea Snail

    Joined:
    Oct 17, 2007
    Messages:
    69
    I will have to bring a sample to the shop for testing.

    As for the load, I have
    ricordia mushroom
    kenya tree
    toadstool leather
    open brain
    trumpet
    xenia
    various other mushrooms
    various polyps
    Frogspawn

    about 20 hermit crabs various
    10 turbo snails
    10 nasarious snails

    boxing shrimp
    2 cleaner skunk shrimp
    2 sexy shrimp


    I am trying to post some pics shortly.
     
    Last edited: Mar 21, 2008
  10. Tight Lipped

    Tight Lipped Astrea Snail

    Joined:
    Oct 17, 2007
    Messages:
    69
    Pics taken from phone, my DSLR is charging so I will get beeter pics up soon.


    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
  11. reef_guru

    reef_guru Humpback Whale

    Joined:
    Apr 4, 2007
    Messages:
    2,753
    Location:
    joliet,il
    knowing your dKH, Mg is a must. finding out the tanks dKH consumption rate is the trick to all of this. Mg is the buffer to keep Ca up since Ca and dKH dont want to work together. calcium chloride is a potent mix to add Ca, so be carefull when using it. a Ca reactor would regulate all 3 better.
     
  12. amcarrig

    amcarrig Super Moderator

    Joined:
    Aug 4, 2004
    Messages:
    9,219
    Location:
    CT
    Nice tank! And those are pretty nice pics coming from a phone!