Calcium levels

I have been running my aquapod 24 for about 3 months know. I just have a couple of general questions about my calcium levels in my tank. Just to give you an idea of my maint. on my tank. I do a partial water change once a week and buy all my water premixed from my lfs. I always hear alot about calcium levels and alkilinity levels and purchased a calcium test over the weekend. So I tested my tank with a seachem test kit. Bare in mind that the only thing that I add to my tank is seachem buffer a couple of times a week when I top off. Well to get to my questions.... The test read at 150ppm and I know the the levels should be around 450ppm. So yesterday I did my normal water change with the lfs premixed ro water and rechecked it again after the water change. It was only about 200ppm. So I checked the reference that was included in the kit to make sure that the test was working properly and it was right on the nose. I was under the impression that the premixed water should already be at the proper calcium, iodine, and other trace elements. So I brought some eco calcium which has three parts to it. The bottles are eight oz. a piece(part a, b, and c). Has anyone had any experience with this product? I just dosed all three parts earlier this morning. Shouldn't the premixed water from my lfs be higher in calcium??? My ph is right and 8.3 and I keep my salinity right around 1.025 and everything else seems to be in check. Oh yeah I tested a sample of the lfs premixed water and the calcium level is at 200ppm... Any help or advice would would be much appreciated...Bill

 

Premixed water from the lfs is just ro mixed with sea salt. I doubt that they have checked to make sure that there is enought calcium etc in the wter. Just that the salinity is correct.

 

I think your right. So I should be dosing calcium then. Alot of people say that by doing weekly water changes that I shouldnt have to do anything but add buffer.

 

I would get a RO/DI unit if you plan on staying in this hobby for long, then you can choose whatever salt brand you want. I purchased a unit that has a drinking water reservoir and tap, so i get two uses out of it and was easier to convince the wife it was needed.;D

 

What type of salt are you using and do you dose with calcium????

 

That is very odd. Most commercially available salt have a much higher CA level than what you are getting. I'm wondering where your LFS is getting their water from?

J

 

Maybe its the salt your lfs is using?? Perhaps a cheap one that lacks any of these extra additives?

 

If not keeping SPS, Ca level just needs to be over 300 ppm.

All major brand salt mixes will give you this.

Mix your own for water changes and problem will go away & will not to go through all that needless and risky dosing.


:-/

 

What type would you guys recomend???? I have heard good things about kent.... And yes I am going to mix my own from know on...

 

Using Instant Ocean (IO) your Ca levels will stay around ~320-340ppm.


Using Reef Crystals (RC) - Made by same company will give you ~380-400 ppm.

Way good enough for my tank.

I avoid dosing anything unless really, really necessary (which is about never)