Calcium

[Jeffrey1]

I have been trying really hard to get my calcium levels up above 315 and just can't seem to do it. I have been using the C-Balance two part solutionl; first adding the recomonded daily dosage every day. That didn't work and recently started dosed the MAX daily dosage two days in a row and my level still remains at 315. My Alkalinity is ranging between 3.5 and 4.5. I am new to keeping corals and thus intent on getting my calcium and alkalinity in line... I recently read an article from Advanced Aquarist that given my cal. and alk. levels suggested dosing with calcium chloride. My LFS suggested to keep dosing with the two part system increasing to the maximum daily dose until my levels increase. I am confused as my LFS has been wrong about many other things.

The tanks is a 45 gallon, with 192 watts p.c. lighting. It has been set up for four months now and I have been religiously performing 20% water changes every 3-4 weeks.

 

[liquid]

What salt brand are you using? If, no matter how much of the calcium component you add, you could be suffering from a magnesium deficiency. IIRC there's an article or two in Advanced Aquarist on magnesium.

Also, one quick way to get your calcium and alk levels back in balance is to do a large waterchange (approx 30-50%).

Shane

 

[ChrisRD]

As Shane said, it could be low magnesium.

Also, some salt brands mix-up with low Ca as well. You might want to test your freshly mixed-up saltwater to see what Ca levels your mix produces.

 

[Jeffrey1]

I am using Kent salt!

 

[liquid]

Three options I see:

1) Dose with calcium chloride to get your levels back in line. My guess is that the calcium portion of C-balance is nothing more than dissolved calcium chloride to begin with.

2) A couple large waterchanges to get levels back in line (spaced out over a couple days with changes every other day).

3) Buy a magnesium test kit and test your levels. If it's below 1200 ppm, then your low magnesium levels could be keeping your calcium levels low. This could be why no matter what you do you can't get your calcium levels up.

Honestly you can buy a bag or two of salt for what it costs to buy a magnesium test kit, so going with option 2 over option 3 has its merits. Option #2 is what I'd personally go with to correct the problem.

Shane