low calcium

[big t]

Hey guys. I just got back the other day from a 45 day trip. While I was gone we had a power outtage for a couple hours, no biggie. The problem was that I think that was when my calcium reactor stopped working, it lost its syphon and never restarted. So for about a month I think that is was not dosing, and my wife never noticed that it wasn't dripping anymore! So anyway I tested my water today and its all good except for the calcium is 109, just a tad low. I have cranked up the cal reactor, and I already have plans for 20% water changes for the next 3 weekends, but I was thinking that I should buy some turbo calcium to help bump it back up to 400. Anyway what I was wondering was what sort of time period should I be looking at to dose it back up? I was thinking that if I did it gradually over the next 2 weeks that it shouldn't be too big of a ordeal for my sps corals and clams. What do you guys think? What really sucks is I only have 2 months here before I am going away for another 3 months Grrr. :evil:

Thanks

 

[ProPs]

i have had the same problem before almost the same exact situation but my ca never reached that low although @ 250ppm still low.. bought liquid calcium by kent and raised my tank 50ppm everyday till i reached 450ppm..luckily all i have was softies on the tank ... look at reefkeeping website they have info to how much you can dose by ratio ie. 100ml of ca 50ppm over 50 gallon
can't exactly remember

 

[Illusion]

I would say try not to Go over about 40-50ppm per day... You dont really want to shock the corals too badly... If you are using Oceanic Just do Weekly 10% water changes and you should get back up to acceptable levels rather quickly and SAfely LOL

James

 

[Saltwater_City]

Tom,
I would try to raise your calcium between 300-350ppm within a week or two. Normally one wants to adjust chemicals gradually and I am one to take things slowly, but Tridacnid Clams are very sensitive to imbalances of Ca and Alk. Also please don't forget that while Ca is important, Alk is equally important for Corals and Clams. If your Alk is low make sure that you adjust that to 3.0 meq/l or higher.

Barry@ Saltwater City
(425) 644-7050
Please Call with any questions or for any more details!

 

[big t]

Well so far my plan is to crank out a kalk mixer this weekend, and once I get that on I will increase my evaporation with a big fan. I have already turned up my calcium reactor quite a bit, And I am hoping to pick up some calcium suppliment tomorrow, and I will be doing a 35 gallon water change this weekend. Hopefully I will be able to get it back in line in about 2 weeks. Thanks for the help people, and I am open to any more suggestions.

 

[wrightme43]

Hey Tom, You probley already know this, but just in case you forgot. There is a calculator in the great posts forum, unders Mojos, calculators post. You put in what ca is, what your using, and what you want it to be, and BAM!! there it is with instructions on dosing. Hope it helps you. Steve

 

[big t]

Wow Steve I had no idea! Thanks for that I will check it out. Now this is the reason I posted this