Calcium & Alk

[Jedi68]

I have finally finished my hood with 2-250w MH lights and 2-95w PC lights. Then I got a bit eager and purchased a few SPS. It's hard to slow down when I have been at this for over 6 months. Anyway, I also bought two test kits. My calcium is at 370 and my alk is at 12.5 dkh. What would be the recommended products to bring my calcium up to the 425 range and the alk to about 9dkh? I will be investing in a calcium reactor in the near future, but my tax refund was very disappointing this year :cry: .

[Aquattro]

your alk is fine. Use turbo calcium (CaCL) to bring your calcium up and then use either kalk, a 2 part solution, or a reactor to keep the levels up.

[pocilipora]

Your calcium is fine IMO. Alk is more important IMO and yours looks good. When I did SPS corals my calcium was never over 350.

[Aquattro]

Chris is correct, 350ppm is acceptable; however, I would recommend higher levels to act as a "buffer" against mistakes. It is very easy for Ca to drop below acceptable limits when you have a fully stocked tank. If you can insure that it won't fall below 350, you're fine.
Also in question is balance. With an alk that high, your "balanced" Ca should be about 430ppm. A one time use of CaCl can boost your Ca to a more balanced value.

[Dorkel Marine 1]

How do you get your Alk to proper levels?

George

[Dorkel Marine 1]

How do you adjust your Alk levels?

George

[Aquattro]

George, you can use many commercial buffers, or use baking and or washing soda. Typically baking to washing in a ratio of 6:1 is common.