Why do I so rarely need Calcium?

Strangelove · 08-08-2001, 04:43 PM

My tank has been up about 4 mos.

90 AGA, 95# LR, 4-6" DSB, multiple polyps, a few fingers, 'shrooms.
Top Fathom 100A skimmer, 4x96w PC's.

I check Ca levels every week. I've only had to add Ca 3 times in 4 months. Any ideas?

Thanks,
Gene

**golfish** · 08-08-2001, 05:22 PM

Gene,
How is your coralline algae growing? the corals you have don't use up very much calcium. Have you double checked your levels with another test kit?

Mark

Strangelove · 08-08-2001, 06:09 PM

Mark,

My coraline is not doing as well as it did initially which I had attributed to my 2 Tuxedo urchins (forgot to mention them). As far as another test goes, I have been thinking about getting one of the Salifert Reef Basic kits. My calcium has gone down a couple of times with my current kit. The LFS mentioned that sometimes calcium will not be accessible to organisms for some reason. They say thay they sometimes have to put a small airstone in the showtank to get the ball rolling. Have you ever heard of that?

**golfish** · 08-08-2001, 07:35 PM

I have never heard of that, but then there's lots of things I have never heard of

I would double check the levels with another kit. Salifert is about as good as they come for the $$......Its a new system with not much calcium draw but it is nice to have coralline growing.

BTW, what is your calcium level?

Mark

snoopdog · 08-08-2001, 07:40 PM

My Calcium stayed extremly high for the first 6 months, then within a months time it started dropping. Never had to add anything for the first 6 months, could be something to do with new aragonite. But I would get a second opinion.

tlc · 08-08-2001, 09:41 PM

you dont have calcium demanding creatures. i did not add ca for 6 months to my tank. i have since added 4 clams and several sps. no my ca gets gobbled up...

Strangelove · 08-09-2001, 09:43 AM

Thanks for the help, all.

Mark, Ca stays stable at 450.

08-08-2001, 04:43 PM	#1
Strangelove Citizen Join Date: May 2001 Location: Washington, PA USA Posts: 101	Why do I so rarely need Calcium? My tank has been up about 4 mos. 90 AGA, 95# LR, 4-6" DSB, multiple polyps, a few fingers, 'shrooms. Top Fathom 100A skimmer, 4x96w PC's. I check Ca levels every week. I've only had to add Ca 3 times in 4 months. Any ideas? Thanks, Gene

08-08-2001, 07:40 PM	#5
snoopdog Mayor Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Mobile,AL Posts: 584	My Calcium stayed extremly high for the first 6 months, then within a months time it started dropping. Never had to add anything for the first 6 months, could be something to do with new aragonite. But I would get a second opinion. __________________ Come check out my web site. http://www.reefcrazed.com

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08-08-2001, 05:22 PM	#2
golfish Moderator Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Alta Loma,Ca Posts: 2,943	Gene, How is your coralline algae growing? the corals you have don't use up very much calcium. Have you double checked your levels with another test kit? Mark

08-08-2001, 06:09 PM	#3
Strangelove Citizen Join Date: May 2001 Location: Washington, PA USA Posts: 101	Mark, My coraline is not doing as well as it did initially which I had attributed to my 2 Tuxedo urchins (forgot to mention them). As far as another test goes, I have been thinking about getting one of the Salifert Reef Basic kits. My calcium has gone down a couple of times with my current kit. The LFS mentioned that sometimes calcium will not be accessible to organisms for some reason. They say thay they sometimes have to put a small airstone in the showtank to get the ball rolling. Have you ever heard of that?

08-08-2001, 07:35 PM	#4
golfish Moderator Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Alta Loma,Ca Posts: 2,943	I have never heard of that, but then there's lots of things I have never heard of I would double check the levels with another kit. Salifert is about as good as they come for the $$......Its a new system with not much calcium draw but it is nice to have coralline growing. BTW, what is your calcium level? Mark

08-08-2001, 09:41 PM	#6
tlc Tenant Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: canon city ,co,usa Posts: 86	you dont have calcium demanding creatures. i did not add ca for 6 months to my tank. i have since added 4 clams and several sps. no my ca gets gobbled up...

08-09-2001, 09:43 AM	#7
Strangelove Citizen Join Date: May 2001 Location: Washington, PA USA Posts: 101	Thanks for the help, all. Mark, Ca stays stable at 450.

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