Calcium levels driving me nuts

bassman · #1 09-07-2006, 11:49 AM

I have been trying to get my levels between 400-450ppm for a couple of months now and I am getting frustrated.

I am using a kalk drip all day to replace my evaporated water at the highest recommended mixture. (2tsp per 1 gallon) to maintain my levels. I am dosing at approx. 1 drip/sec

I use Kent Turbo Calcium daily to get the calcium up. I finally got it to 478 the other day, it's drop by 50-55 ppm daily since.

Once I got the level to 478 ppm I stopped adding the turbo in hopes that my Kalk drip would maintain the level. Not so I guess.

All my other levels are good. (the ones I test for anyways)

pH = 8.3 , Nitrate = 0, Nitrite = 0, Phos = 0, Alk = 9.8 dKH, Ammonia = 0

My tank is 95% softies.

Any help/suggestions would be appreciated.

Tank = 55gal, Sump = 55 gal, Fuge = 20gal

StirCrazy · #2 09-07-2006, 12:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassman

IAll my other levels are good. (the ones I test for anyways)

pH = 8.3 , Nitrate = 0, Nitrite = 0, Phos = 0, Alk = 9.8 dKH, Ammonia = 0

My tank is 95% softies.

Any help/suggestions would be appreciated.

Tank = 55gal, Sump = 55 gal, Fuge = 20gal

whats you Mg level, with out knowing what that is you are only guessing at any Ca problem.

Steve

bassman · #3 09-07-2006, 12:50 PM

That I don't know. I am going to get a test kit today.

Farrmanchu · #4 09-07-2006, 01:20 PM

Yeah, Magnesium, but you don't need a test kit, they cost big $. If you buy some from Chem master, he'll give you the dose amount for your waterchanges, and you can bring it up that way. I use it and don't test, it really keeps the Ca in solution, and stable.

Ruth · #5 09-07-2006, 01:20 PM

You should post your current calcium, magnesium, and alk. levels. As Steve stated it is pretty hard to say what the problem might be without knowing what all the levels are at.

Beverly · #6 09-07-2006, 01:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ruth

You should post your current calcium, magnesium, and alk. levels. As Steve stated it is pretty hard to say what the problem might be without knowing what all the levels are at.

Totally agree with Steve and Ruth.

One reason Ca might be depleting fast is that your tank bay be growing a lot of coralline algae on rock and tank surfaces. However, that usually requires adequate levels of Mg to do. So, I'm a little stumped.

Pescador · #7 09-07-2006, 02:49 PM

Once you raise your calcium levels with Turbo, I'd maintain it with a balanced 2-part buffer. You will be able to figure out the dose based on the demand of your tank. Also calcium will only raise so much depending on your alk. Kalk will help but you might not have enough evaporation to give you enough calcium from it.

bassman · #8 09-07-2006, 03:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ruth

You should post your current calcium, magnesium, and alk. levels. As Steve stated it is pretty hard to say what the problem might be without knowing what all the levels are at.

As of this morning. Ca=371, Alk=9.8 and Mg I am not sure of yet.

bassman · #9 09-07-2006, 03:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beverly

Totally agree with Steve and Ruth.

One reason Ca might be depleting fast is that your tank bay be growing a lot of coralline algae on rock and tank surfaces. However, that usually requires adequate levels of Mg to do. So, I'm a little stumped.

I do have a fair amount of coraline growing on my rocks and glass right now. Tank is only 6.5 months old.

trilinearmipmap · #10 09-07-2006, 04:32 PM

As far as I understand, the product of calcium concentration multiplied by alk will reach a limiting level. Your alk is fairly high. Bicarbonate will react with calcium to form calcium carbonate, whether within a coral skeleton, coralline algae, or precipitation on the surface of the tank or equipment. So it is no surprise you can't keep your Ca level high enough.