Calcium demand question

[marie]

First off a bit of background, I have a 175g that has been set up since march. Originally it was going to be lps dominant but I couldn't resist getting a regal angel that found lps corals very tasty, so now it is mostly sps corals (which the rotten fish has decided to pick at as well :twised: ).

The problem is, for the last 4 months I haven't been able to keep up with the calcium demand. I have a precision marine calcium reactor (the small one, good for up to 200g) that is now wide open (gravity fed with a 12ft drop) and I am dosing saturated limewater 24/7, as much to keep my ph above 8.0 as to add calcium. A week ago my cal/alk started to drop again.

I didn't really think my tank was fully stocked yet, how does everybody keep up with the calcium demand on tanks that are packed with sps corals?? It's really becoming annoying trying to keep up. Just when I think I have it stabilized, the cal starts to slowly drop again :sad: Should I be looking at a bigger calcium reactor? I just had this one hooked up in aug, I hate to have to tell my husband it's too small already

*edit* Sorry for babbling :redface: I felt a need to vent as well as ask questions :mrgreen:

[marie]

And here's a picture for the visual people :mrgreen:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v224/mariesnell/2007_0113jan1750027.jpg

[Dyspnea]

Sounds like your reactor just isn't keeping up. Maybe it's too small or you could maybe not be moving enough CO2 through the reactor.

You know what the PH of the effulent is running at?

[marie]

Never mind, I posted this same question on another board and happened to look at pictures of my tank, taken back in oct. There is some amazing growth happening. I see a bigger calcium reactor in my future :lol:
This picture was taken in oct
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v224/mariesnell/2005_0302tanks0008.jpg

[marie]

Sounds like your reactor just isn't keeping up. Maybe it's too small or you could maybe not be moving enough CO2 through the reactor.

You know what the PH of the effulent is running at?
I have a ph monitor that is set to 6.6. The media is dropping about an inch a week at the moment

[dirtyreefer]

Tank looks great Marie. I'd check Mg as this could be the reason why your Ca isn't able to stay stable. Up your Mg, and your Ca should probably stay up there as well :)

[marie]

this picture was taken nov. 26th
http://forum.marinedepot.com/Uploads/Images/5427041d-635e-483a-8aed-cd86.JPG

and this is today
http://forum.marinedepot.com/Uploads/Images/affbd8d5-3ce1-414f-ad75-97d1.JPG

[littlesilvermax]

My calcium reactor is 6 inches wide and 30 inches tall (I am making a bigger one!) That is all for my 250. (http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=26595)

The best media to get is coral sand as I find I can run it to a low 6.2 resctor effluent ph and not have it turn to mush.

I am able to get 60 dkh out of the reactor! Some say you can get close to 80.

If that doesn't work then you need a bigger reactor, assuming that your chemistry is OK.

FWIW how are your magnesium levels?

[marie]

As of last week my Mg was 1310 so I don't think that is the problem, looking at all the pictures I think I just need a bigger reactor. Anyone downgrading in the near future and want to trade :lol:

[littlesilvermax]

http://www.members.shaw.ca/bkotrla2/Apr%2005/IMG_6551.JPG





And I go bigger next week!:mrgreen:

[littlesilvermax]

As of last week my Mg was 1310 so I don't think that is the problem, looking at all the pictures I think I just need a bigger reactor. Anyone downgrading in the near future and want to trade :lol:

Bigger never hurts, what is you reactor effluent dkh?

I would bring magnesium up to 1380 to 1400 if I were you, but 1310 is still pretty good.

[danny zubot]

It's that caps, I have the same problem with my Calcium because of the caps. They just suck the Ca right out of the system.

I lowered my temp and lowered their position in the tank to slow down metabolism. Now I am able to keep my Ca around 380-400, where as before I couldn't keep it above 320-340ppm.

[rickjames]

I have the same problem as you Marie. Top off with a Kalk reactor, Calcium reactor going 24/7, and I can't keep up with it. (I have a 150 full of SPS). They just don't make Calcium reactors big enough. If you look at the common commercially available ones the majority are small and IMO greatly over-rated. I am planning on making a new one but haven't been able to find the plastic I need locally yet... mind you I have only made a quasi-effort.

The best media to get is coral sand as I find I can run it to a low 6.2 resctor effluent ph and not have it turn to mush.

Where do you get it? Is it finer then the common Aragonite media you can buy at the store?

[Farrmanchu]

I think the pics tell the story, the Ca is all in the tank, just part of the Corals now. Good Growth! Do you use a Kalk stirrer/reactor? Making the Kalk more concentrated may help.