cant get my cal up...and alk is to high

[verynewatthis]

okay my new problem is my cal....it will not go over 330...dangit...and my alk is getting up there...around...14's....i have stoped using b-ionic and went to co2 reactor...and still have the same problem...what should i do to get my cal up....???? i have messed with the reactor a bunch..and my doseing pump will be in this week...so that will be one problem done...but what do i do about the cal...???the reactor has been running a week now..and keeps testing the same everyday..the output is 6.8 for ph...and the main tank stays at 8.2 ish....if i add more co2 then the alk gose up, but not the cal...what is going on....any help would be great...thz...rich

[alexwolf]

manually boost it with turbo calcium.

[verynewatthis]

but if i do that will i have to keep adding turbo everyday??...or will the reactor keep it up???...rich

[GaryP]

Hino, PM sent

[verynewatthis]

gary you got pm

[GaryP]

Actually it sounds like you have a bad calcium test kit, or you are misjudging the calcium endpoint with your kit. It could be a bad alkalinity kit too that is reading to high, although my gut instinct is the calcium kit. Alkalinity is pretty simple kit and hard to mess up.

I don't see any way for the alkalinity to go up without a corresponding increase in Calcium. A calcium reactor simply can't work that way.

[schoeplein]

...and if you keep adding calcium, there's no way it would stay at the same level while others rise. :)

[NaCl_H2O]

This is one of my favorite links on aquarium chemistry! Reading this will give you a better understanding of what is going on, and how to correct & monitor your corrections!

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/nov2002/chem.htm

[Bigreefer]

Before setting up a calcium reactor you should balance your calcium and alklinity.
Calcium reactors add calcium and alkalinity equally. So if you are off balance when you start, you will stay off balance.

The best way for you to get balance is to add calcium carbonate (turbo calcium) slowly until you alkalinity comes down and your calcium goes up. Then turn back on the reactor. If you have everything balance it will stay that way.

I had the same issue, then found this advise in one of the articles below..... I'm steady at 10 dkh and 410 PPM Calcium now.


Solving Common Problems

Solving Calcium and Alkalinity Problems
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/nov2002/chem.htm

Solutions to pH Problems
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/iss...ne2002/chem.htm

How to Select a Calcium and Alkalinity Supplementation Scheme
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/feb2003/chem.htm

Phosphate Issues
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/iss...pt2002/chem.htm

Nitrate Issues
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/iss...st2003/chem.htm



Calcium and Alkalinity

Solving Calcium and Alkalinity Problems
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/nov2002/chem.htm

How to Select a Calcium and Alkalinity Supplementation Scheme
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/feb2003/chem.htm

Calcium and Alkalinity Balance Issues
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2002-...ature/index.htm

Calcium Carbonate as a Supplement (Aragamight; Liquid Reactor)
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/iss...ly2002/chem.htm

The Relationship Between Alkalinity and pH.
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/may2002/chem.htm

The Chemical & Biochemical Mechanisms of Calcification in Corals
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/apr2002/chem.htm

Calcium
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/mar2002/chem.htm

Alkalinity
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/iss...2/chemistry.htm


Iron

First Iron Article: Macroalgae and Dosing Recommendations
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/aug2002/chem.htm

Second Iron Article: Iron: A Look at Organisms Other than Macroalgae
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/oct2002/chem.htm

Iodine

Iodine in Marine Aquaria: Part I
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/mar2003/chem.htm

Iodine in Reef Tanks 2: Effects on Macroalgae Growth
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/iss...il2003/chem.htm


Magnesium and Strontium

Strontium
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/nov2003/chem.htm

Magnesium
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/oct2003/chem.htm

Magnesium and Strontium in Limewater
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/dec2003/chem.htm


Limewater (kalkwasser)

The Self Purification of Limewater (Kalkwasser)
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/may2003/chem.htm

The Degradation of Limewater (Kalkwasser) in Air
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2003-...ature/index.htm

How to Select a Calcium and Alkalinity Supplementation Scheme
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/feb2003/chem.htm

Metals in Aquaria

Aluminum and aluminum-based phosphate binders
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/iss...ly2003/chem.htm

Reef Aquaria with Low Soluble Metals
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2003-...ature/index.htm

Tap Water in Reef Aquaria
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/jan2004/chem.htm
First Iron Article: Macroalgae and Dosing Recommendations
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/aug2002/chem.htm

Second Iron Article: Iron: A Look at Organisms Other than Macroalgae
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/oct2002/chem.htm


Test Kit Reviews

The Seachem Borate Alkalinity Test Kit
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/iss...ne2003/chem.htm

The Salifert Boron Test Kit
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/iss...pt2003/chem.htm

Boron and Borate (and pH buffering)

Boron in a Reef Tank (and its effect on pH buffering)
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/dec2002/chem.htm

The Seachem Borate Alkalinity Test Kit
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/iss...ne2003/chem.htm

The Salifert Boron Test Kit
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/iss...pt2003/chem.htm



Others

Tap Water in Reef Aquaria
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/jan2004/chem.htm

ORP
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2003-...ature/index.htm

Chloramine
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2003-...ature/index.htm

Silica in a Reef Tank
http://advancedaquarist.com/issues/jan2003/feature.htm

Specific Gravity (and temperature correction of hydrometers)
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/iss...2/chemistry.htm

[verynewatthis]

wow bigreefer...thats alot of reading...thank you so much...rich

[Tim Marvin]

LOL, I'd do a big water change and add turbo calcium. If your water is already pretty new, then just add the Turbo like Alex said. Don't dose Kalk or any buffers, and turn off the reactor until your in the range.

[GaryP]

After talking to Rich about this on the phone it sounds like he started with this calcium/alkalinity out of balance and the reactor just kept it out of balance. I suggested he turn off the reactor, get them back in balance, then turn it back on and tune the reactor. His test kits are new and are Salifert.

I talked to him before Bigreefer posted, but it looks like he nailed it. I basically came to the same conclusion Bigreefer did and when we hung up Rich was heading to the LFS to get some calcium. Rich is in the middle of no where in southern Arizona and the supplies he can get locally are somewhat limited. After talking with him, it appears that the original imbalance was the result of improperly adding the B-Ionic he was using. This stuff can't be just poured into the tank. I think this is one of the biggest problems people have with using two part additives. Its not how much they use as much as it how they add it to the system. I also suggested he start testing for Magnesium.

OK, I just wanted to update everyone so maybe other may learn from this situation. We'll be talking about this at the June meeting at RoberG's house.

[verynewatthis]

i just wanted to say thanks to everyone...my alk has droped to 12's now...so it is still a waiting game for now..ill update yall soon...thz...rich

[verynewatthis]

k now my alk is down to 10, but the cal is still around 330 or so...at what point do i kick on my reactor again...plus i have been adding cal, but no increase in the number...what is going on...???...thz...rich

[GaryP]

You're using that watered down liquid stuff. Its probably being used up as fast as you are adding it.

Order some Kent Turbo Calcium, the solid stuff.

[verynewatthis]

well i guess ill order some today online...thz..rich

[verynewatthis]

just updating, now my cal is at 380 and my alk is down to 8.8...ill keep doing what im doing tell yall say to change something...thz everyone...rich

[verynewatthis]

okay i looked at a reef calculator and it says that at 430 cal my alk should be at about 10...dose this sound like a good goal to shoot for???...thz..rich

[GaryP]

Shoot 420-450 ppm calcium and 9-10 alkalininity.

[verynewatthis]

okay will do...but the calculator says my alk is still way to high..so ill stay with what im doing for now..and when the alk drops more ill kick my reactor back on...thz...rich

[GaryP]

Just keep raising your calcium, you'll be OK.

[GaryP]

You don't have to have your calcium and buffer perfectly balanced before starting your reactor. You can fine tune it with two part after you get it going.

[verynewatthis]

so i can turn the reactor back on and keep adding cal???...tell they are both right???....rich