Reef's 210g. Journal

[yote]

Hod Dang
Looks like I'll just have to keep using my seachem calcium for a while.
It aint that much trouble to dose it once a week:frustrat:

 

[d.french]

i don't keep sps, but i do have a few lps and clams so i dose seachems reef complete for calcium,magnesium,strontium, and seachems reef carbonate.

sorry reaffreak for hijacking. Just adding some info.

 

[Bifferwine]

I agree with you Yote! So far, I don't even have to dose at all. Just doing water changes and using good salt keeps it around 450. We'll see how those levels get once I add all those SPS though. I'd rather dose once, twice or three times a week than deal with all that right now...

 

[yote]

I use the reef complete too.But havnt tryed the reef carbonate.
I'll have to pick some of that up.My PH is staying around 8.2 but alkalinity wants to stay down between 8 and 9 DKH.
Thanks for the info D,

 

[yote]

Same here Biff.
Only thing is,the faster the SPS grow,the faster they eat up the calcium.

 

[Bifferwine]

And the faster I need to pour it!

 

[MikMcgyver]

What should alkalinity be at? and what does it help?

 

[Doc]

I like Kh to be between 11-13. It seems to promote good coral growth. My wall hammer has almost doubled in size in 6 months with that level. I have to dose my tank, even though I use decent salt. I have switched to oceanic salt and my Kh still doesn't go above 9.

-Dr Marco :sfish:

 

[MikMcgyver]

Do you test specifically for kH or just maintain it with regular water changes?

 

[fishbait]

i had the same problem with oceanic doc. whatever you do, don't try read sea. it's even worse! it's been 7-8dkh

MikMgyver, alkalinity typically needs to be between 9-12 degrees of carbonate hardness (dkh). it acts as a buffer to nuetralize acids (such as carbon dioxide) and stabilizes ph. it's all tied in with calcium and ph in one way or another. it's a complicated topic, so i will leave it to one of the guru's to explain so that i don't confuse you and myself on the topic. lol

 

[Doc]

i test weekly for Kh and dose as required. I just don't trust any salt to keep the levels where I want them. Kh also helps the corals grow and the inverts grow shells, I think. Biff, John, Reef, Yote...this one is for you. I know my limits. Biff showed me that (again) on a different post.

-Dr Marco :sfish:

 

[reeffreak]

Dfrench you can hijack anytime,I know little about kalk and cal reactors.

To Biff and Yote and whoever:

I considered a calcium reactor.Man they are super expensive and kinda intimidating with all the Co2,PH and such.Honestly I think you will be fine dosing and unless you want super,super fast growth.I do recommend you get a cheap ATO and dose the freshwater so your system can get a steady supply of calcium.Thats what I'm going to do.

 

[yote]

So you mix your calcium in your top off water?
Just mix it to level you proper level or what? I'll have to give that a try.

 

[reeffreak]

Its going to take a little experimenting on how much to dose the freshwater.Every system is going to have different calcium consumption Yote.Right now I only have 4 sps corals and the water changes is enough.You look a little heavier in the sps department.Heck,this is still a work in progress.

Speaking of dosing,Yote what do you consider the best calcium additive?I was thinking of going with a two part mix.

 

[yote]

I use SeaChem's Reef Advantage Calcium.You can get it in either a powder form,or liquid.Then dose Kent Super Buffer as needed.

 

[yote]

I dont know that thats the best.But its what has worked for me so far.

 

[reeffreak]

The Seachem is what I use too,I thought trying something else.Kent turbo calcium or something else.I guess I start researching some more.

 

[yote]

Bermuda uses the turbo calcium with good results.But thats on 2-300 gallon displays and a 280 and only dosed once a month.

 

[reeffreak]

I may go ahead and try the Kent turbo calcium or this.......Kent Marine Liquid Calcium Reactor

 

[yote]

If you try the liquid reactor,let me know how it works.