Low CA in IO salt

[SeaQ]

Mixed a 25gal batch w/rodi water at 35ppt/1.025 and checked CA. Reading was 350 using a Salifert test. Exp date on the kit is Aug. 16 2008. Did another test, showed same results. Did a test with Seatest kit and it showed 340 . Any one have this problem? SG done with captive purity refrac. it cals good. Whats the best way to make up the difference?

Keith

 

[wrightme43]

I usually get around 350 ppm with IO myself. Turbo Calcium by kent is the way I raise it. I hear that at higher calcium readings 425-450 up that corals have to work harder to build thier skeleton. I dont know that it really helps to have a crazy high calcium level. This is just my opinion. I dont know what your calcium use is or your alkalinity use is. If I were you I would go to the great posts forum, then to reef calculators by mojoreef and put in tank size, product chosen, desired alk in meq/l and desired calcium level. It will spit out what you want to know. A word of caution. Rapidly raising calcium or Alk can cause precipitation of the stuff in your sand bed and on the surfaces of your pump impellers. They pumps are easy to fix (vinager) the sand bed is another issue, if its a brick. HTH Steve

 

[Katchupoy]

can you please check the alk too for IO.

It may be low but whats important is if its balanced.

 

[wrightme43]

Exactly!!!!!

 

[SeaQ]

Ok did a KH /alk ,ph & mg test as follows, kh/alk 11.5/4.11, ph 8.1 & mg 1200. This is WC and not tank par's. Agree with not running high kh/alk,Ca and try to maintain #'s closer to NSW. From what i'm seeing kh/alk is high ph is fine and mg is a little low. Would like to know of another alternative than Kent Turbo ca as i bought 4 buckets of this (this being the first one opened) and am in the design stage of setting up a 150lg and the turbo would get spendy. Are there any water souble CA's available to a reefer that is more cost effective??
Thanks for the replies
Keith

 

[Steven Pro]

In my opinion, people focus far too much on hitting certain numerical goals where if you were able to simply maintain those current figures, your tank would do just fine. Of what you listed, I would only try to bump the pH up a bit, which is accomplished easily enough by dosing kalkwasser as part of your normal routine to maintain calcium and alkalinity.

 

[kevinpo]

Instant Ocean has historically run in the 350-360 ppm for calcium. The company Aquarium Systems makes another brand of salt called Reef Crystals that has higher calcium levels, of course it usually costs more. Magnesium is usually a little low also.
Calcium chloride in dry form is the most cost effective way to raise calcium without using a calcium reactor. Kent turbo calcium is what many reefers use.

HTH,
Kevin

 

[Solov]

And knowing that reef supply manufactures price regular soda and chalk at outrageous prices there comes question :

Where can we get U.S.P. or at least Food grade CaCl2 at good price?

And how do you use it (if you do)?

 

[SeaQ]

Thanks all for the replies!

In my opinion, people focus far too much on hitting certain numerical goals where if you were able to simply maintain those current figures, your tank would do just fine. Of what you listed, I would only try to bump the pH up a bit, which is accomplished easily enough by dosing kalkwasser as part of your normal routine to maintain calcium and alkalinity.

Agree with that!! I don't get to anal about keeping parameters at exact #'s just have a range i like to see them in and a Ca of 350 is below the 380-420 i like to see.I do run kalk and tank ph runs between 8.0 & 8.3. I believe what your saying is not to be so concerd with the #'s as long as the system is balanced. True??

Kevin
Would you have a source or link where i could get the dry calcium chloride? As i stated i have 4 - 200gal buckets and i'm in the design stage of a 150gal long that will put my total system over 300 (65 +150 + 100+gals of sumps). Also having not used the dry form an example of how much to use say to raise CA from 350 to 400 in a 65gal system would be appreciated.

Solov,

I run a kalk reactor and have used pickling lime but went to Warner Marine kalk-plus and will stick with it as it doesn't eat up impellers like Balls or Wages does and i tend to buy the larger sizes of what i use on a regular basis. When i started reefing i knew there were certain costs involved and try to do whats best for the animals and doesn't put to big of a dent in my wallet!!

Thanks again Keith

 

[mojoreef]

Keith I use that kalk also and I will not change from it either, I have used it for about 3 years now and it has always done well for me. It also uses calcium oxide which allows for a little more to be dissovled in water.

Solov take a peek at Arm and Hammer, they supply vitually all additive manufactures.


Mike

 

[SeaQ]

Mike, would you have a source for the calcium chloride that Kevin talked about,don't know how much i would need but a place to start would be good.
Keith

 

[Steven Pro]

Agree with that!! I don't get to anal about keeping parameters at exact #'s just have a range i like to see them in and a Ca of 350 is below the 380-420 i like to see.I do run kalk and tank ph runs between 8.0 & 8.3. I believe what your saying is not to be so concerd with the #'s as long as the system is balanced. True??

Correct. I am more inclined to seek consistency and willing to sacrifice some 'perfect' number(s) for moderation instead of the calcium/alkalinity seesaw too many people play.

 

[mojoreef]

I agree Steven as long as you keep an eye on it.

Solov call Arm & Hammer commercial division. But have your wallet out.


MIke

 

[Solov]

Thx, Mike, I got it the first time

So... noone uses CaCl2 it sounds...? As for Kalk - yeah, that's what I use right now, but it is always nice to research alternatives/supplements in advance.

 

[kevinpo]

Would you have a source or link where i could get the dry calcium chloride?

Here you go:
http://www.aquaticeco.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/product.detail/iid/5650/cid/1620

A couple of tablespoons should raise 65 gals 50 ppm or so but I would not raise it that high all at once. On a 90 gal I add one tablespoon at a time for 20ppm raise.

HTH,
Kevin

 

[SeaQ]

Thanks Kevin

 

[DonW]

Calcium chloride cheap. Dri-Z-air at HD, Wally's or just about any place. mix 1 bag with 1.5g rodi water. This is from the diy two part.

Don

 

[wrightme43]

Now this is just a question I have had for a long time, and I use turbo calcium. Calcium chloride. What happens to the chloride molecule? I mean the Sodium is already in use for the salt molcule so what happens to the chloride that is left over?

 

[SeaQ]

Don, what 2 part DIY is that from? looked in the library didn't see it, another board?Would ?? the purity of Dri-Z air also.

Wrightme, good ?? maybe Collin will chime in an answer that, know there are 2 types of CA used but don't recall what happens with the stray molecule. Having CRS syndrome is a pita some times, have to go back an reread .

Keith

 

[kevinpo]

The sodium molecule can raise the SPG over time but by checking it it's easy enough to correct. While it is possible for the the chloride to build up, with monthly water changes it is not a problem. I have been adding it for 4 years without a problem.

HTH,
Kevin