Calcium and Alk Question

I just tested my water params, especially the Alk and the Calcium since I am running a media reactor with Bellaphos and I was informed that this can diminish the Alk and therefore the Calcium and cause Bleaching in my SPS frags.

My tests showed that Calcium was around 400 and that Alk was around 2.2 (milli equivalents per liter). The tests that I run for the two are API and Red Sea respectively.

Are these two params okay for my SPS frags and other frags? If not, what actions could I take to increase Calcium. (I just did a 10 gallon water change today if that matters).

 

Do you drip kalk or add it to your top off water?

 

Neither. I have yet to heavily get into SPS, LPS or Softies. I just have a variety of both. I only do regular water changes, protein skimming, and the media reactor, but no kalk.

I do however add some coral growth supplements once to twice a week, but since I am battling hair algae I have not used those in some time (to reduce the excess nutrients in the water).

 

I personally aim for 2.8-3.6 meq/l alk and 400-450 calcium. You are on the low end of what is acceptable for SPS though. Once you get down to 2.1 meq/l you are going to begin running into problems.

For raising alk/cal I use the 2-part mixture materials from bulkreefsupply.com right now. Don't forget about magnesium, it's a key part of maintaining chemistry.

Here is an article that should help you understand what needs to be done to maintain your chemistry and what all the acceptable levels are, if you're interested.
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2007-04/rhf/index.php