What to use to raise calcium

[witecap4u]

I know its going to be a matter of opinion for most people, but what do you/have you used to raise your calcium levels.

I've slacked off over the last month or two on drippin kalk and my calcium is down around 300-325. What is the best(easiest) way to raise it safely. Alk is 8dkh IIRC also.

T/

CS

[reefer]

kalkwasser reactor works great! i'm running jimd 's vortex, and must say its working great. matter of fact, i have removed my calcium reactor completely, and i am just running the one item now. i use a litermeterIII dosing pump as a supply pump.
8)

[Jimnorris]

Reefer,
I with you. I also used a kalkreactor by JimD. And also have removed my Calcium reactor. I also use ESV B-ionics to supplement my calcium and alk.
I have in past used Seachem Advantage to raise calcium and Kent Turbo calcium.
Once you get your calcium and Alk levels up the dripping of kalk will more than likely keep them there.
Jim

[::pete::]

Not having a calcium or kalk reactor and having to rely on other means I use Kent Liquid Reactor and it works just fine.Here (http://www.kentmarine.com/html/lr.html)

[witecap4u]

I was under the impression that the kalk reactor was mainly used to sustain calcium once its at the correct level. I need to raise my levels right now. I was looking at Tech CB. Anyone have opinions on this, or are there better products to raise it.

BTW, I'll probably be doing a kalk reactor in a month or two once I get a ro/di and autotopoff installed.

cs

[JeffCo]

To raise calcium: Turbo Calcium works best or even kent concentrated calcium (it's a liquid).
for alkalinity - cheapest and easiest to raise is ordinary baking soda, (but don't add too much it raises it with very little) i would suggest about one (non-heaping) spoonful then measure your alk.

[JimD]

I find that the safest way to raise Ca is by using B-ionic two part system. Its pretty fool proof and proven, once the desired levels are achieved, (over the course of a few days) continue dosing kalk and youll be good to go.

[Brett Wilson]

There is no 'best' way, period.
Go to reefcentral and read their chemistry forum info threads at the top of the forum.

The most 'widely used' method is what JimD mentioned, B-ionic, and that is what I would recommend as well.

Turbo calcium is a single part system, it won't raise your alkalinity. Alk and CA have to go hand in hand with eachother.

-Brett

[Andrew]

Liquid reactor is a good balanced additive to maintain calcium and alk levels. If you have a big tank, it goes fast, but can be bought in quantity up to 5 gallon container. It is basically ground-up aragonite (contains strontium, magnesium, calcium, carbonates, etc.)

I would not add anything but calcium now, until your levels are acceptable.


Andrew

[matt]

There's a great article on exactly this by Randy Holmes-Farley. I'm pretty sure it's stickied in his forum on reefcentral. Basically, you want calcium chloride to raise Ca only, Baking soda or buffer to raise carbonate hardness, and then use KW, 2 part system like B-ionic, or a calcium reactor to maintain. Be careful when raising the levels using CaCl and buffer. It's a seesaw... right now your carbonate hardness is acceptable, maybe a bit on the low side, but not critical. Your calcium is pretty low; when you raise it with CaCl it's likely to depress your carbonate hardness a little. Where's your ph in all of this?

[GaryP]

I basically make my own two part and add it to my top off water. I have one 6 gal. jug of RO water with Turbo Calcium and Magnesium and one 6 gal. jug with my homemade buffer. I has the advantage of adding both parts on a daily basis instead of batch treating. Its not as good a method as a Kalk or Calcium Reactor but its cheap and does help to take out most of the peaks and valleys in the concentrations. It'll work until I get a reactor set up. The only issue is the ionic imbalance that comes with any 2 part system.

Gary

[dan]

BIONIC is what i use. only thing is you add every day and is a two part. having good results.

[Tim Marvin]

Go back to dripping Kalk. It will come back up slowly. Your not dangerously low yet on your levels.

[witecap4u]

Todays readings....
Ph-8.4
Ca-275-300
Alk-3.2meq/L--->8.8dKH
Kh-10dH
Nitrates-<2.5

I also did some research and found this article on solving calcium and alkalinity problems
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/nov2002/chem.htm

Looks like what I need to do is add some Calcium Chloride to get the calcium up without any changes to the alk. and then start dripping kalk or using a two part system untill I get the reactor.

CS

[matt]

That's exactly the article I was talking about. I'm glad you found it. If you follow it's advice, you'll be fine.