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Calcium issues!


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  1. #1
    MizTanks - Reefkeeper
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    Default Calcium issues!

    Where is my calcium going? I just tested and my calcium is reading 320/340
    I doesed with Kent CB parts A&B everyday for a week at 2ml part A and 3ml part B. Ya think it'd be higher with the dosing right? I've had this low calcium issues ever since setting up my tank. Never have been able to get it above 400, let alone stay there. I'm not keeping any sps/lps so how worried should I be about the low levels. I do have snails and a shrimp though. I use RO/DI water, and Reef Crystals.
    There's nothing like being a Reefer! www.upmmas.com

  2. #2
    jojo22 - Reefkeeper Registered User
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    Default

    I wouldn't be too worried. You took a big bite with such a small tank for a first (and congrats on doing this well).

    How much evap do you get each day?? Do you have to top off daily like I did with my 10 gallon??

    If so I could walk you through setting up a drip type top off with Kalk that may help.
    Does water always taste like salt and poo????


  3. #3
    speedstar - Reefkeeper CR Member
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    why are you not dosing equal amounts? is something out of wack to start?
    Anyone can grow Zoa's and LPS I have some in my sump.

  4. #4
    jojo22 - Reefkeeper Registered User
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    Default

    Speed, I don't remember if it was the same stuff but I had a Kent product for nano reefs, and the directions said to dose more of one than the other, the instructions always worked well for me. So it may just be the product.
    Does water always taste like salt and poo????


  5. #5
    MizTanks - Reefkeeper
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    Default

    I never top off! No need, no evap. I do WC every fri, 2+g. I just tested my new water and it reads: ph 8.4 cal= 460 and sg=1.030 it's a little higher cause I'm trying to raise it from 1.023 to 1.025
    However all these readings change once the water gets into the tank. I was dosing cause of the low cal, it was suggested to me that I do it less of A then B. I'm not totally edu on the chemestry part of water as of yet.
    I do got to say though, that my tank is doing great! No losses of corals (all softies) all other water parameters are right on, Kh is 12, 0 nitrites, 0 nitrates, 0 ammonia, and 0 phos ph has always been around 8.4 and my fishes are happy!!
    There's nothing like being a Reefer! www.upmmas.com

  6. #6
    speedstar - Reefkeeper CR Member
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    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by MizTanks View Post
    I never top off! No need, no evap. I do WC every fri, 2+g. I just tested my new water and it reads: ph 8.4 cal= 460 and sg=1.030 it's a little higher cause I'm trying to raise it from 1.023 to 1.025
    However all these readings change once the water gets into the tank. I was dosing cause of the low cal, it was suggested to me that I do it less of A then B. I'm not totally edu on the chemestry part of water as of yet.
    I do got to say though, that my tank is doing great! No losses of corals (all softies) all other water parameters are right on, Kh is 12, 0 nitrites, 0 nitrates, 0 ammonia, and 0 phos ph has always been around 8.4 and my fishes are happy!!

    your doing better than me with all the zero's/ KH seems highs what brand salt?
    Anyone can grow Zoa's and LPS I have some in my sump.

  7. #7
    MizTanks - Reefkeeper
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    Default

    Reef Crystals. 1 cup per 2 gallons give me an sg of 1.030 a ph of 8.4 and an cal level of 460. Am I maybe not changing enough of the water to raise my levels? Leaving to much of the old water in the tank? I thought a kh level between 10-12 was ok, no?
    There's nothing like being a Reefer! www.upmmas.com

  8. #8
    Tom@HaslettMI - Reefkeeper
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    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by MizTanks View Post
    Reef Crystals. 1 cup per 2 gallons give me an sg of 1.030 a ph of 8.4 and an cal level of 460. Am I maybe not changing enough of the water to raise my levels? Leaving to much of the old water in the tank? I thought a kh level between 10-12 was ok, no?
    Ca and alk influence each other. If one is high the other is low. 10-12 alk is fine but you will have a tough time getting Ca levels up. I'm not familiar with the product you're using but are you sure that you're dosing more of the Ca part and not more on the alk part?

    Here's a link to some info and a dosing calculator to help with Ca/alk balance: http://reef.diesyst.com/flashcalc/flashcalc.html

    and another on a DIY two part system that many people (myself included) use: http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-02/rhf/index.php

    HTH,
    Tom

  9. #9
    MizTanks - Reefkeeper
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    Default

    I'm using Kent CB Parts A&B and guess what, it doesn't say which is what? I do know that when added to the water part B turns cloudy, does that help?
    There's nothing like being a Reefer! www.upmmas.com

  10. #10
    BeakerBob - Reefkeeper
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    A would be the calcium and B would be the Alkalinity (turns water cloudy).

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