Calcium chloride

[igadget56]

I am using EVS. They recomend 7 teaspoons for 55 gallons
to raise 60 ppm. I put 7 teaspoons in my 125 gallon yesterday.
Today I tested still at 340 ppm. Shouldn"t I have some increase.
I use RO/DI water. ALK 7.7 MAG little low 1110 ppm

[FoMoCo Master Tech]

This came from the Marinedepot website:

E.S.V. Calcium Chloride 800 g Information
Product Manuals & Documentation


Calcium Chloride is a very pure anhydrous grade free of phosphates and nitrates. The advantage of using Calcium Chloride as a calcium supplement in marine aquaria is its very high solubility in water. This property allows the aquarist to rapidly adjust calcium concentrations to desired levels. The aquarist should be aware that Calcium Chloride does not add bicarbonate and carbonate ions to the system. Since most calcifying organisms require these ions in addition to calcium ions, the aquarist should monitor the alkalinity frequently when using Calcium Chloride and make the proper adjustments with a buffer additive. Calcium Chloride can directly reduce alkalinity by elevating the calcium ion concentration to excessively high levels and thereby initiate the precipitation of calcium carbonate from the water. This may or may not be visibly detectable, depending on the magnitude of precipitation. Excessive use of Calcium Chloride may disrupt the balance of ions in a marine system by the continued addition of chloride ions. Since saltwater contains such a large concentration of chloride ions, it would take a very long time before significant chloride imbalance would occur, especially if water changes are performed. We recommend Calcium Hydroxide as a better long-term calcium supplement, but Calcium Chloride can be very useful in restoring proper calcium ion levels should they drop while using Calcium Hydroxide. 1 teaspoon will raise the calcium level by about 50 ppm in 10 gallons of water.

The bold print might explain Way your calcium levels aren't going up.
I have found that the easiest way to balance and maintain calcium, alkalinity and magnesium, is to use an ionically balanced two part supplement.
HTH.

[igadget56]

Thank you. I added the same amount this morning and it is now at 360 ppm.
Now my ALK dropped from 7.7 to 6.7. I am trying to get everything where it should be.
I have a 10 gallon tank with a hole drilled on one end close to the bottom, and a baffle
about 5 inches back. I plan on using limewater in the big part. Then pumping RO/DI water
from a pail into the 10 gallon tank it will then trickle over the baffle out the hole then back
into the sump. I have a Tunze osmolator for myATO. What do you think will this work?
Now I have to do some reading to figure out how to raise my ALK

[FoMoCo Master Tech]

Thank you. I added the same amount this morning and it is now at 360 ppm.Now my ALK dropped from 7.7 to 6.7. I am trying to get everything where it should be.I have a 10 gallon tank with a hole drilled on one end close to the bottom, and a baffleabout 5 inches back. I plan on using limewater in the big part. Then pumping RO/DI waterfrom a pail into the 10 gallon tank it will then trickle over the baffle out the hole then back into the sump. I have a Tunze osmolator for myATO. What do you think will this work?Now I have to do some reading to figure out how to raise my ALK

That's the biggest problem with adding calcium and alk as independent supplements. Once you add one, it drives the other down. Seasaw effect. I'm sure it can be done but it's going to take a lot of experimentation. The balanced two part formulas are made to prevent this from happening and IME, do it well. Can you post pictures of you setup?

[igadget56]

Went to my LFS and picked up some 2 part
made by little fishes, is that good stuff?

[Original Fin]

It's good, but it probably won't last long in a tank that large. It will be much more cost effective to buy it in bulk. When you get to that point, check out Bulk Reef Supply and their 2 part mix it yourself from salts kits.

Did you get a magnesium supplement too? If not, you should...it's the third essential ingredient to achieving balanced water chemistry/PH.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[chrisfont23]

Went to my LFS and picked up some 2 partmade by little fishes, is that good stuff?

I use C balance too. So far. So good.

[igadget56]

Yes I did get magnesium supplement. I also did a 25 Gallon water change, haven't tested anythihg yet.