Calcium Levels

[enjoiskater158]

What is the best way to control calcium/alkalinity/pH levels. I know Kalkwasser works well but also has bad effects on the pH and using limewater doesn't do as much for the calcium but won't affect the pH as much. another way i heard to do this is to use baking soda to raise pH, carbonate alkilinity, and the buffering capasity. Than use Calcium Chloride to raise the calcium levels. does anyone have any suggestions to which one is a better way to go, or have any other methods of doing this?

 

[SkiFletch]

Been usin the Randy Holmes-Farley 2-part additive for 6 months now and I love it

 

[enjoiskater158]

Thanks ski, how often do you add each of them into your tank and how do you know how much to add?

 

[SkiFletch]

Thanks ski, how often do you add each of them into your tank and how do you know how much to add?

It all depends on your coral load and type of load. A softie tank will not require much dosing at all while an SPS tank lit wit a ton of halides will grow like mad and require way more dosing. Also of course the tank volume comes into play. The answer unfortunately is that you have to get a feel for it. For most medium to large size tanks in the 50-100g range, 1oz of each additive per day is a good dosing schedule to start with, then you can see if you need more or less based on calc/alk test results. You'll also find that one or the other will be depleted faster thus requiring you to dose more of it to maintain balance. In my pretty packed mixed 45g reef 1oz of calcium 5 times a week and 1oz of carbonate daily seems to balance things out quite nicely.

 

[enjoiskater158]

thanks ski, do you use the 3rd part for magnesium?

 

[SkiFletch]

thanks ski, do you use the 3rd part for magnesium?

Yup, I have to use Epsom salts for it, can't find any magflake locally

 

[enjoiskater158]

thank