calcium help?

[p00num3lli]

my calcium lvl is very low(i dont have any corals) and i cant seem to bring it up. ive been using liquid calcium eac day, but two weeks nothing.... and i researched some calcium stuff and theres like litteraly around 10 differnt kinds... so what kind should i probably use to raise it up? the liquid or the powder? i dont wanna polute my water with a bad brand....

thank's, and pls reply to it.. no1 did last time

[SoLiD]

Give me a call sometime as safely raising calcium will have a ton of different variables & answers which can take a long time to write it all down. I would recommed looking for a good test kit from your LFS. Salifert makes a great calcium test kit.

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+4345+16563&pcatid=16563

davidvllrrl@yahoo.com
361-774-7865
-David

[Fish4life]

The two-part ionic brand works well. The only liquid ca supplement i would use if i had to.

cheers,

kurt

[p00num3lli]

thanks guys... and david.. i will if u give me a time that your free

[SoLiD]

thanks guys... and david.. i will if u give me a time that your free

Call me some time after 6pm.

[JLiu]

There are many factors that contribute to calcium levels since you don't have any corals whats using it up how old is your tank, what kind of sand bottom are you using? But I would recommend double checking your test with another test kit first. Doing a large water change or many little ones always helps put all kind of levels back in place. All premix salts have tons of ions and minerals that help replenish your system. You should only dose if you really must and testing for levels to determine consumption.

[Bill S]

As noted above, make sure your Ca kit is working correctly. Easiest way to correct it is large water changes. How big is the tank?

[p00num3lli]

75

[Bill S]

Try water changes. You can do 30 gallons for $8 in salt.

[wesheltonj]

Try Fuji Gold, it will bring it up, but its very expensive over time. The other thing to check is your KH. Mag level would not hurt either

[Bill S]

Something to note, that we say ALL THE TIME here: don't dose what you don't test. That would include dosing Ca if you don't test Mg and Alk - since they tend to be related.

[CoryDude]

Most hobbyists will agree with me on this one: Don't add what you don't need, and don't add w/o testing first. I had the same problems when I was just starting out. I'd get sucked by all those pretty supplement bottles at my LFS and would read the product info's and think, "Yup, my tank could use benefits like that!".

As suggested in a earlier post, I'd test your KH. I'd nearly bet you have low carbonate levels which may not allow your system to reach the desired Ca levels of 380-420 meq/L.

Did you get your new lights in last week? I remember you had problems with your new kit right of the box.

[SoLiD]

No need to worry fellas. After re-testing the correct way he found his calcium level to be around 420ppm. I'll point him in the right direction reguarding his other questions, too. :bigsmile: