Raising Calc

Ltspd · 01-28-2002, 03:46 PM

What do the rest of you use to raise your Calc in your tanks.

I have always used turbo calc, and have no problems with it. I run a reactor, but need stuff to raise the levels in w/c water and such.

Just curious what works for others.

**scubadude** · 01-29-2002, 01:51 PM

Hey Paul

I also use Turbo Calcium for extreme adjustments....but when doing w/c's your salt should replenish the CA taken out....I have not had to use any type of CA additive short of my Reac. Im thinking of using Calcium hydroxide for my new endeavor though.

**kevinpo** · 01-29-2002, 02:17 PM

I have used Salifert calcium for the last 5 yrs with very good results.

Kevin

Ltspd · 01-29-2002, 03:38 PM

Well I raise my IO water to above 400 with Turbo Calc.

In my tank the calc has been sort of low, around 380-390, alk of about 9ish and ph drifts to 8ish. I need help adjusting the reactor I think? I dont think a reactor will raise the calc, just replace it. So, how do I balance the whole thing out? I need my ph closer to 8.3, alk above 10dkh and calc around 420.

I seem to be adding more additives trying to raise things where they should be, why?

I need a good plainly explained alk, ph, and calc lesson

**golfish** · 01-29-2002, 04:32 PM

Paul,
You should be able to raise the calcium in you tank with the reactor? How long have you been running the reactor. Set your drip rate around 60 mls per minute and the KH at 30-35........The calcium level should fall into place soon after that. I have had low PH levels using the Calcium reactor 7.85-8.15. These levels are not bad at all but they just kind of bug me. After adding the Nilsen (geo) reactor the pH levels now run 8.15-8.35........

I haven't checked my levels in sometime

here's what I just got

Ca 480
Kh 13.6
pH 8.21

The Ca and Kh were the same when running just the calcium reactor. Only the pH has changed. lets not forget the other benefits from using Kalkwasser

BTW, I don't add anything else to my tank other then a 1/3 water change every 4-8 weeks....

Ltspd · 01-29-2002, 05:14 PM

Ok, how do I raise the calc in my tank with the reactor?

I am testing ph of efluant, and I am not sure the salfiert test allows me to test alk that high. My efluant ph is around 6.7.

I have no idea what exactly my drip rate is, I keep a steady drip, not a stream, but drops I can count.

Now if I can find my coversion from mL to oz's or something I can measure

Ltspd · 01-29-2002, 05:19 PM

thats about 2oz per minute.

That seems slow IMO?????

**golfish** · 01-29-2002, 05:29 PM

Paul,

Relax, don't get your panties in a bunch..Your Salifert kit should have instructions that tell you all about lower resolution testing. The kit will goes up to 16.0 and double that for 32.00

I never said anything about effluent pH. What kind of media are you using? is it a dual stage reactor?

60mls = about 2 oz...If you think its too slow then don't do as I suggest. I'm no expert here but then I'm not having problems. well maybe some mental problems

Ltspd · 01-29-2002, 05:34 PM

Well I timed my output rate and I am only dripping less that 1oz per minute, so, I guess I am slow (to say the least)

I am going to speed it up.

But will that in itself cause my calc to rise?

I assume that once I get my calc the alk follows it up.

I will look at checking the output alk once I speed up the drip. Do you use a ph probe?

**golfish** · 01-29-2002, 05:42 PM

You have to remember that I'm using a kalk reactor also. So I made a few smal changes when I added it.

Like I said in my first post. Get the effluent drip rate (steady stream) around 60 mls and the efflent KH around 30-35. the calcium should fall into place....

I do use a PH meter to check the effluent once in a while (6.65 right now) I use CaribSea ARM and have a dual stage reactor.

The theory is to shoot for 3 times the KH on your effluent that you want in the tank. Everything else should fall into place. Hopefully

Ltspd · 01-29-2002, 05:51 PM

Well I am no longer slow,

I got my drip up to 2oz per minute.

Next I will check my alk.

What is the advantage of a Kalk reactor?

**golfish** · 01-29-2002, 06:00 PM

Quote:

What is the advantage of a Kalk reactor?

Well, in a word, "Kalkwasser". Better skimming, higher PH, less use of CO2 on the calcium reactor, removes phosphtes, increase ALK\KH and calcium (if needed) all the good things that Klakwasser brings to the tank. If your running a dosing pump for top off it just plugs inline. I got mine from Geo (can't say how much but its under 100.00) I know Andy is building a few of them but he's setting them up with magnetic stirrers. George uses a pump to mix the kalk.

Mark

Ltspd · 01-29-2002, 06:53 PM

Can they be setup on a drip mode.

My Alk of the effluant is 28.2 dkh, what should this be? 30 or greater?

My ph of the effluant is 6.75.

So to increase my alk I need to increase my co2 to lower my ph?

**golfish** · 01-29-2002, 10:35 PM

Paul,
They\it would be setup to top off. I use a liter metre.....

I would set it at 30 or higher....

What media are you using? Is this a dual stage reactor. Some media like the CaribSea ARM dissolve at a higher PH (so they say) A dual reactor should have a higher pH on the effluent.....

Yes, increasing your bubble count should lower the pH some, increasing ALK. This is how I would do it.

01-28-2002, 03:46 PM	#1
Ltspd Governor Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Arden, NC USA Posts: 2,767	Raising Calc What do the rest of you use to raise your Calc in your tanks. I have always used turbo calc, and have no problems with it. I run a reactor, but need stuff to raise the levels in w/c water and such. Just curious what works for others. __________________ Paul C Timing has an awful lot to do with the outcome of a rain dance.

01-29-2002, 02:17 PM	#3
kevinpo Moderator Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Spokane Valley WA Posts: 2,436	I have used Salifert calcium for the last 5 yrs with very good results. Kevin __________________ SPSguy On - On

01-29-2002, 03:38 PM	#4
Ltspd Governor Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Arden, NC USA Posts: 2,767	Well I raise my IO water to above 400 with Turbo Calc. In my tank the calc has been sort of low, around 380-390, alk of about 9ish and ph drifts to 8ish. I need help adjusting the reactor I think? I dont think a reactor will raise the calc, just replace it. So, how do I balance the whole thing out? I need my ph closer to 8.3, alk above 10dkh and calc around 420. I seem to be adding more additives trying to raise things where they should be, why? I need a good plainly explained alk, ph, and calc lesson __________________ Paul C Timing has an awful lot to do with the outcome of a rain dance.

01-29-2002, 05:14 PM	#6
Ltspd Governor Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Arden, NC USA Posts: 2,767	Ok, how do I raise the calc in my tank with the reactor? I am testing ph of efluant, and I am not sure the salfiert test allows me to test alk that high. My efluant ph is around 6.7. I have no idea what exactly my drip rate is, I keep a steady drip, not a stream, but drops I can count. Now if I can find my coversion from mL to oz's or something I can measure __________________ Paul C Timing has an awful lot to do with the outcome of a rain dance.

01-29-2002, 05:19 PM	#7
Ltspd Governor Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Arden, NC USA Posts: 2,767	thats about 2oz per minute. That seems slow IMO????? __________________ Paul C Timing has an awful lot to do with the outcome of a rain dance.

01-29-2002, 01:51 PM	#2
scubadude Moderator Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Wichita, Kansas Posts: 5,301	Hey Paul I also use Turbo Calcium for extreme adjustments....but when doing w/c's your salt should replenish the CA taken out....I have not had to use any type of CA additive short of my Reac. Im thinking of using Calcium hydroxide for my new endeavor though.

01-29-2002, 04:32 PM	#5
golfish Moderator Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Alta Loma,Ca Posts: 2,943	Paul, You should be able to raise the calcium in you tank with the reactor? How long have you been running the reactor. Set your drip rate around 60 mls per minute and the KH at 30-35........The calcium level should fall into place soon after that. I have had low PH levels using the Calcium reactor 7.85-8.15. These levels are not bad at all but they just kind of bug me. After adding the Nilsen (geo) reactor the pH levels now run 8.15-8.35........ I haven't checked my levels in sometime here's what I just got Ca 480 Kh 13.6 pH 8.21 The Ca and Kh were the same when running just the calcium reactor. Only the pH has changed. lets not forget the other benefits from using Kalkwasser BTW, I don't add anything else to my tank other then a 1/3 water change every 4-8 weeks....

01-29-2002, 05:29 PM	#8
golfish Moderator Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Alta Loma,Ca Posts: 2,943	Paul, Relax, don't get your panties in a bunch..Your Salifert kit should have instructions that tell you all about lower resolution testing. The kit will goes up to 16.0 and double that for 32.00 I never said anything about effluent pH. What kind of media are you using? is it a dual stage reactor? 60mls = about 2 oz...If you think its too slow then don't do as I suggest. I'm no expert here but then I'm not having problems. well maybe some mental problems

01-29-2002, 05:34 PM	#9
Ltspd Governor Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Arden, NC USA Posts: 2,767	Well I timed my output rate and I am only dripping less that 1oz per minute, so, I guess I am slow (to say the least) I am going to speed it up. But will that in itself cause my calc to rise? I assume that once I get my calc the alk follows it up. I will look at checking the output alk once I speed up the drip. Do you use a ph probe? __________________ Paul C Timing has an awful lot to do with the outcome of a rain dance.

01-29-2002, 05:42 PM	#10
golfish Moderator Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Alta Loma,Ca Posts: 2,943	You have to remember that I'm using a kalk reactor also. So I made a few smal changes when I added it. Like I said in my first post. Get the effluent drip rate (steady stream) around 60 mls and the efflent KH around 30-35. the calcium should fall into place.... I do use a PH meter to check the effluent once in a while (6.65 right now) I use CaribSea ARM and have a dual stage reactor. The theory is to shoot for 3 times the KH on your effluent that you want in the tank. Everything else should fall into place. Hopefully

01-29-2002, 05:51 PM	#11
Ltspd Governor Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Arden, NC USA Posts: 2,767	Well I am no longer slow, I got my drip up to 2oz per minute. Next I will check my alk. What is the advantage of a Kalk reactor? __________________ Paul C Timing has an awful lot to do with the outcome of a rain dance.

01-29-2002, 06:53 PM	#13
Ltspd Governor Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Arden, NC USA Posts: 2,767	Can they be setup on a drip mode. My Alk of the effluant is 28.2 dkh, what should this be? 30 or greater? My ph of the effluant is 6.75. So to increase my alk I need to increase my co2 to lower my ph? __________________ Paul C Timing has an awful lot to do with the outcome of a rain dance.

01-29-2002, 10:35 PM	#14
golfish Moderator Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Alta Loma,Ca Posts: 2,943	Paul, They\it would be setup to top off. I use a liter metre..... I would set it at 30 or higher.... What media are you using? Is this a dual stage reactor. Some media like the CaribSea ARM dissolve at a higher PH (so they say) A dual reactor should have a higher pH on the effluent..... Yes, increasing your bubble count should lower the pH some, increasing ALK. This is how I would do it.

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