Calcium Level Question

[32Bit_Fish]

Hi All,

My calcium level is at 320 and I want to raise it, but how?

I have some pickling lime powder which I believe I can make some lime water to add into the tank?

I also have a 10g reserve tank which it is being for Auto Water Top off. I'm thinking I add the lime powder to the reserve tank.

But how much do I need to add?

 

[jdnumis]

I have had much success with Kalk, in my ATO. I stopped dosing because my kh levels were at 12. Its been 3 months without dosing and my Calcium stays between 460-480. My kh levels are now 8.

Hope that helps

~James

 

[pauliwalnuts]

2 teaspoons to a gallon, but don't worry about over adding the powder mix. As long as, after you mix it, make sure that the tubing/pump/ect. is not completely touching the bottom of the container you have your top-off water in. Mix the solution once everytime you fill it back-up with ro/di water, RO water only obsorbes a certain amount anyway and the rest will just settel on the bottom of the container. When you first start this method, test your waters ALK. at least twice a day and never let it go over 12 DKH.

 

[OzoneParkGuy]

Test for Mag 1st. Magnesium is the Buffer for your Alk & Calcium. Kalkwasser (picking lime) is for adjustment or issues with low PH. Here are a few links to point you in the correct direction. GL.

http://archive.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=102605


Here is a handy calculator to make adjustments to Magnesium, Ca++ & Alk.

http://reef.diesyst.com/chemcalc/chemcalc.html

 

[32Bit_Fish]

Thanks for the replies guys. My PH is at 8.2 while the lights are on. 7.9 in the morning. Alk was at 7.2 and Cal was at 320 (Salifert). I do not have a Mag test kit.

I added 1/2 teaspoon of lime powder in 1/2 gallon RO/DI water and it seems there are some white residuals sitting at the buttom of the bottle even after I shake the bottle vigorusely for well 30 seconds.

My reserve tank (ATO) has an open top, so I'm not sure it is a good idea to add lime powder directly into the reserve tank. Do you guys have a closed top reserve tank for ATO? I read somewhere the calcium will be lost once the lime water come to contact with air, is this right?

 

[pauliwalnuts]

It's true, it will absorb CO2 if you leave the mixed solution uncovered causing it to loose some of its PH rising effect.