calk question?

[oceancube]

ok everyone here's my question, i recently have a 37 gal. oceanic cube, i use the 2 part esv b-ionic supplement for my calcium and alkilinity, all my corals seem to be doing great, my tanks been up and running for about 4-5 months now, iv'e yet to see any coraline algea growth, now im wondering if i use calk will it help grow this coraline, and what brand do yall recommend, i want to use it for my top off water mainly, im a little new to this so i would need to know exactly what im doing, so any help would be greatly appriciated, my reading are as follow
sal. 1.024
amm. 0
nitrite 0
nitrate between 10ppm-15ppm
ph 8.1 and i have no clue for calcium or alkilinity, the kits i have i really dont understand them, like i said everything looks great, just want to know if it's good to start using calk now!!!!

[matt]

"ph 8.1 and i have no clue for calcium or alkilinity, the kits i have i really dont understand them,"

Well...... don't you think you better learn something about this? Ca and alk levels are the two of the most variable, and critical. tank parameters. Most reefkeepers deal with balancing and maintaining these levels way more than any other parameters.

Why don't you get Ron Shimek's book "The coral reef aquarium" that will explain it all in easy to understand language. It wasn't until I read this book that I understood this stuff.[/quote]

[Jimnorris]

Oceancube,
Calcium and alk are the foundation of a tank. So yes you must be able to know were your tank is. Coraline requires lots of calcium and low lights. What kind of lighting are you using? Does the LR you have in the tank have any coraline on it now? If not then we can introduce it to your tank by adding it! What kind of test kits are using maybe I can help you read them?
Jim

[1salt]

Ron Shimek's book "The coral reef aquarium"

interesting: found this book on the web free shipping for $9.19

http://www.shoppingaisles.com/product/books/1582451176/detail.jsp

[oceancube]

thanks guys for the help, jim: well i have 1 175watt xm over my tank now, and yes i have coraline algea on my rock now, but im trying to get it to grow all over, especially in the back area, the calcium test i have is the red sea one, and i counted ten drops added, but i still dont get it, kinda hard for me i guess, oh today i went to alamo and bought some kent kalk, i will start using it for evaporated water, is it cool to use it with the b-ionic as well? well thanks again guys for any help!!!

[Jimnorris]

Oceancube,
I use kalk with B-ionics. IMO I would hold off adding kalk until you know were you stand with your CA and ALk readings. I do not use Red Sea test kits. Where are you located? Coraline is very hard press to grow under MH lighting.
Jim

[robertpower3]

What kind of red sea test kit do you have? Does it measure 20 ppm or by 50ppm? If it is the one that measures by 50 ppm and you did it correctly your calcium level is aroun 500 ppm but i don't think that's the case unless you are adding alot of b-ionic.. I not sure on the red sea pro calcium test kit but I will check.

[Tim Marvin]

Jim, it is a 175w halide. I've grown Coralline under a 40 watt bulb up to 400watt halides, and it definately grew best for me under 250's or less. It grew under the 400's but not nearly as fast. Remember all the coralline I had on the 350 gallon with the 2x250watt DE's? I agree with you, but is seems that a 175w isn't any brighter than a couple 96watt PC's. I think over time it may adapt. All that coralline turned white when I moved the tanks out, but is starting to turn colors again rapidly outside. I expect to have massive coralline growth again within a month.
Kalk is a little trickier than most additives so I would go with Jim on that suggestion.

[Jimnorris]

Tim,
Do I ever it was an awesome site! It covered the total sides of the tank and all the egg crate was pink also! For anybody wanting to seed their tank I would want some!!!!!
Jim