[Tone]

My problem is that despite hard running a K1501 calcium reactor and dripping saturated lime water (10L/week)in my 600L mixed reef, I am struggling to keep up the calcium to the sps. The Alk had reached 14dkh at the beginning of the week and calcium had dropped back to 320 ppm. PH was an all time low of 8.0 with night time fluctuation as low as 7.8.

First thing I did was to cut back on the CO2 (to 45 bpm from 60) and upped the flow rate directly into the skimmer -- was this the right thing to do?

Next, I introduced a regime of 1 teaspoon of Kent Turbo Calcium dissolved in RO/DI water both am and pm each day since Tuesday.

PH has come back to 8.20 and alk has settled at 10.6 dKh (that's ok). Calcium is up to 320ppm.

So it's heading in the right direction but I'd like to get a solid regime that uses the ca reactor with as little supplementation as possible.

Do any of the sharp thinkers have any views on this -- any advice on what regime to put into place?

Cheers, Tone

[zhenya]

Hi Tone,

Have you tested recently your Mg levels? Sometimes, if Mg drops too low, keeping Ca and Alkalinity in balnce or high levels may be very difficult. From what you said I don't see anything wrong with your regime, except that if you like to raise just your calcium levels you have to make sure that you do not add anything that will raise you alkalinity as well. That includes your kalkwasser as well.
Here's some reading about Mg and how it helps to prevent excessive presipitation of calcium carbonate from sea water.
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/oct2003/chem.htm

and this article should help you in solving Ca and Alkalinity common problems.
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/nov2002/chem.htm

HTH.

[Tone]

Hi there Gene, how you doing?

Thanks for the response -- great article from Randy!

Magnesium has been checked using a new Red Sea kit. This is not an easy kit to use as the tritration requires very dexterous control over the syringe .

The test was completed twice last week and on both occassions returned readings in the vacinity of 1370ppm at 25C / SG 1.025ppm. This has me perplexed as I too would have thought that the alk / ca imbalance would have resulted from low mg.

I will do it again now to ensure that my poor process wasn't to blame.

BTW, I use natural seawater for water changes so there is little chance of artificial salt contamination.

Best regards,

Tone

[Tone]

Just retested = 1360ppm

[zhenya]

Hi Tone,

If you Mg levels are what they are in your post, then I would just continue to add the Calcium Chloride untill Calcium levels are where you want them to be. Make sure that you do not add any of the Alkalinity supplements during that time.
Perhaps you need to add much more CaCl than you been adding?

here's a nifty chemistry calculator to calculate how much of any given additive you need to add to bring levels to where you need them to be.
http://home.comcast.net/~jdieck1/chem_calc3.html

[Tone]

Thanks Gene, I've just been following the product instructions -- it's taking too long to raise the ca, a teaspoon at a time :-). I'll get the dosage off the chemcalculator.

All the Best, Tone

[zhenya]

Good luck Tone!

By the way, have you ever checked your NSW calcium levels before doing the water exchanges? I'm just curious what those may be where you live ( providing that you just get them straight from the ocean, of course. )
I'm using store bought NSW that is available localy by the name NutriSeaWater. I checked specific gravity of that water and was pretty shocked that it measured at 1.030. Calcium was a bit on the low side as well, around 390 ppm. Overall, though, I am pretty pleased with that brand except for the cost, of course. It is rediculously expensive at $16.00 for 4.4 gal. (16.67 liters).
But, since I only have a 75g tank it is still better( cost effective) to use than any of the synthetic mixes.

[Reefland]

Do you dilute it with RO/DI water to bring the salinity down?

[zhenya]

Originally Posted by Reefland

Do you dilute it with RO/DI water to bring the salinity down?

Nope, I usually exchange about two of those containers worth and it hasn't change salinity of my tank at all. Still 1.026.
I was just surprized to find it at such high salinity is all. Of course, if I would need to change out more volume I'd definately dilute it some.

[BubbaWPB]

Tone,
My 1502 barely keeps up with the needs of my 75 gallon (~300 liter) tank. Although the 1500 series is rated for up to 400 gallons (~1600 liters), the reviews I have read indicate that it would have to be a pretty bare 400 gallon tank for it to keep up. http://www.korallin.de/kalkreaktor2.html

Originally Posted by The Godfather

I would like your help in understanding why you use vineger to clean your pumps.

The Godfather,
Distilled vinegar is used to clean your pumps for several reasons - 1. it takes an acid environment to disolve the preciptated calcium off of the equipment. 2. Distilled vinegar is is reef safe (in small quantities). 3. Distilled vinegar is readily available at your local supermarket at a reasonable price. 4. Distilled vinegar doesn't eat the skin off your fingers (it's a weak, but effective acid).

[Tone]

Gene, don't cry now but I have 600L of fresh NSW delivered to me for AUS$70 and I do 200L changes once per month. The collector only pumps water when the conditions and the parameters are right. I've never had a problem with low SG or high SG through storage -- keep the storage container lids on tight to prevent evapouration.

I found that mixing artificial salt water was a real PITA - (1) the salt is expensive (2) the chemical composition need to be carefully monitored and (3) chewed up my RO/DI filters too quickly (filter cartridges are expensive over here!). So, switched to NSW and the 'incarcerated ones' seem happy for it.

Tone

[Poseidon]

Sounds like you are on the right track, just keep at it. How much coralline do you have? That stuff can really suck in the Ca!

[Tone]

Originally Posted by BubbaWPB

Tone,
My 1502 barely keeps up with the needs of my 75 gallon (~300 liter) tank. Although the 1500 series is rated for up to 400 gallons (~1600 liters), the reviews I have read indicate that it would have to be a pretty bare 400 gallon tank for it to keep up. http://www.korallin.de/kalkreaktor2.html

Thanks for the info Bubba - I have mine running at 60bpm and an almost steady stream of effluent. It's being pushed so hard that the media is replaced every 3 months with onlt 20% of it remaining!

Cheers, Tone