? on Calcium

Discussion in 'General Reef Topics' started by Sadie, Feb 20, 2011.

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  1. Sadie

    Sadie Coral Banded Shrimp

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    My calcium right now is 400. I know it should be 400-500. Do I want to raise that or just make sure it doesn't go below 400?

    I just got an acan so I'm nervous 400 will not be good enough.
     
    Sadie, Feb 20, 2011
    Sadie, Feb 20, 2011
    #1

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  2. Shackman23

    Shackman23 Teardrop Maxima Clam

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    i like to keep mine at 500, that way if i miss a day of dosing i wont be extremely low, if it were my tank id raise it to 450-500
     
    Shackman23, Feb 20, 2011
    Shackman23, Feb 20, 2011
    #2
  3. m2434

    m2434 Giant Squid

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    Yeah, as shackman said, raising it allows some fluctuation without risk of it dropping low. There isn't really much benifit, if any to being over 400ish though. Being too high might be worse, because it will tend to precipitate, especially on plastic and warm surfaces. I.e. pumps. This can be a PITA because you will need to soak your pumps in vinegar more often, or buy new pumps... This is one reason why now, I just try to maintain around 8-10dkh and 400-450ppm ca, with mg @1400-1500ish. Pushing things further led to headaches, for me at least.
     
    m2434, Feb 20, 2011
    m2434, Feb 20, 2011
    #3
  4. steve wright

    steve wright Super Moderator

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    +1 on above posts

    380 - 450 is the generally accepted range for Calcium
    1380 - 1450 - Magnesium
    7 - 11 DKH

    and with 1 Acan, and even with a few more corals softies and LPS (not SPS and Clams)

    you will probably find that if you use a quality salt mix, you would have no isssues maintaining the parameters without the need to add Calcium or any other supplement

    Steve
     
    steve wright, Feb 21, 2011
    steve wright, Feb 21, 2011
    #4
  5. Sadie

    Sadie Coral Banded Shrimp

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    o.k. thanks. I didn't want to dose if I didn't have to, but I also want my corals to be safe.

    I will keep a close eye on it. Thanks again!:)
     
    Sadie, Feb 21, 2011
    Sadie, Feb 21, 2011
    #5
  6. Sadie

    Sadie Coral Banded Shrimp

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    New England
    What is DKH? Is that Alkalinity?
     
    Sadie, Feb 21, 2011
    Sadie, Feb 21, 2011
    #6