Calcium questions

[Salty D-O-G]

When I first started out in the saltwater side of the hobby I didn't do enough research and because of that a lot of innocent beautiful sea creatures are no longer with use. One of the biggest lessons learned was "CALCIUM" in a reef tank is a most and second boy did I flush a lot of money down the ole stool. I started with a simple dripper but could never get my levels up where they needed to be. I don't have the room for a reactor inside the stand so I purchased that calcium in the bottle from Kent Marine. First off calcium levels came right up followed by PH. Coraline algea exploded. My question is has anyone had the same luck and 2 do you think using a timer dosing pump is a good way to administer this stuff rather than measuring it off all the time. Thanks in advance.....


Jerry

 

[DonW]

Timers are not a safe option. Maybe a medical dosing pump.

Don

 

[roblou]

Hi Jerry: I have 2 tanks and have been using Randy's DIY Ca & Alk supplements in each for about 3 months now. Up until this last Xmas, I had been dosing both tanks manually, adding each of the 2 parts to the tanks in the morning before I would leave for work. I received a LiterMeter III for Xmas (thanks Santa!), bought a 2nd pump for it, and now have it set up to autodose my SPS tank. So, now I have 1 tank automated and 1 tank I still dose manually each day.

Pros to the dosing pump method would include the fact the additives are being added in very small amounts throughout the day (better for stability), and also that I don't have to go through the motions manually (well, I still do with my smaller tank, so I don't really reap this benefit currently). Con would be cost, as the dosing pump setup was over $400. The LiterMeter III is probably one of the more expensive dosing pumps, and there are certainly other options available that are probably more cost effective.

I suppose at some point I'll end up automating my smaller tank too, so I don't have to dose manually each morning. I actually don't mind the manual labor involved (takes about 2 minutes), but I do like the fact that the LiterMeter spreads out the dosage over the entire day, so Ca and Alk should be much more stable versus dosing just one time a day.

hth,
rob

 

[Salty D-O-G]

Thanks Rob I want to get the Aqua Med quad so I can set it up. The problem I am coming across with these saltwater setups is space. When I purchased my 175 I also got the factory stand because there are not a lot of aftermarket bow front stands out there. I also at that time got the Oceanic type 3 sump but it would just fit under the stand. You literally couldn't get to anything or put anything in it. So after talking with the local saltwater guru I traded it for the All-Glass type 4 which I was able to work miracles with and set the system up the way I wanted. So with the wealth of info that is on the forum (which by the way is a awesome community) I'm trying to get this tank perfect the first time and not go thru all the hassels I had setting up the 54. It is still in the initial stage but when the tank has cycled and I show coraline growing at a good steady pace I'm gonna load her up.

Jerry

 

[burning2nd]

just dose,

eazyer and cheaper,

doesnt need to be fanzy both ways get the same end result

 

[matts125]

You should be able to put a Calcium reactor just about any place, you just need to run 1/4'' pressure line to and from the unit, just as easing as running cable or speaker wires out of site..
I wouldnt advise the timers for dosing either, a medic pump would work the best..
I know that I struggled the most getting my magnesium up to the propper level much more then the calcium but they both are stable for me now, once you get them up and figure out the consumption rate it is a peice of cake to keep them steady!!

Matt