Calcium Levels

[Chris Taylor]

I've been out of the hobby for a while and am presently setting a 400 liter
tank (around 110 US Gal) up using RO Water, Instant Ocean marine salt and
coral sand. The tank's been settling in for around a week. The SG is sitting
at 1.022, PH at around 8.2, 0ppm Ammonia, Nitrite, Nitrate and Phosphate.

I measured the Calcium level today and it comes in at around 200ppm. The
chart states normal sea water should be at around 450ppm.

What are the acceptable norms in a Reef Tank? and is it usual for commercial
marine salts to fall short of usual sea Calcium levels?

I recall reading that Magnesium affects GH and also Calcium absorbtion, is
this correct and would it be worth buying a Mg test kit to establish if
Magnesium levels are contributing?

Is there an easy way to increase the calcium levels without a calcium
reactor and associated CO2?

Thanks for your time

Chris

[Richard Reynolds]

> I've been out of the hobby for a while and am presently setting a 400 liter
> tank (around 110 US Gal) up using RO Water, Instant Ocean marine salt and
> coral sand. The tank's been settling in for around a week. The SG is sitting
> at 1.022, PH at around 8.2, 0ppm Ammonia, Nitrite, Nitrate and Phosphate.

you will find your levels will improve if you raise your salinity to 1.025-1.026

> I measured the Calcium level today and it comes in at around 200ppm. The
> chart states normal sea water should be at around 450ppm.

> What are the acceptable norms in a Reef Tank? and is it usual for commercial
> marine salts to fall short of usual sea Calcium levels?

generally they do fall short, but not generally that short.

> Is there an easy way to increase the calcium levels without a calcium
> reactor and associated CO2?

after upping your sg, then the next move would be to add either a liquid ca in 1 or 2
parts depending on alk which you havent posted or using kalk

> Thanks for your time
>
> Chris


--
Richard Reynolds

[Marc Levenson]

Hi Chris,

If you'll check your alkalinity, it is probably low as well. I use ESV's Bionic
2 part solution to maintain Alk and Calcium levels, but on a 110g setup you'll
go through a lot of Bionic, which is costly.

I use Kent's Sea Salt, which is made by the same company that produces IO. It
tests at 400ppm Ca when freshly mixed.

Marc


Chris Taylor wrote:

> I've been out of the hobby for a while and am presently setting a 400 liter
> tank (around 110 US Gal) up using RO Water, Instant Ocean marine salt and
> coral sand. The tank's been settling in for around a week. The SG is sitting
> at 1.022, PH at around 8.2, 0ppm Ammonia, Nitrite, Nitrate and Phosphate.
>
> I measured the Calcium level today and it comes in at around 200ppm. The
> chart states normal sea water should be at around 450ppm.
>
> What are the acceptable norms in a Reef Tank? and is it usual for commercial
> marine salts to fall short of usual sea Calcium levels?
>
> I recall reading that Magnesium affects GH and also Calcium absorbtion, is
> this correct and would it be worth buying a Mg test kit to establish if
> Magnesium levels are contributing?
>
> Is there an easy way to increase the calcium levels without a calcium
> reactor and associated CO2?
>
> Thanks for your time
>
> Chris

--
Personal Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com/oanda/index.html
Business Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com
Marine Hobbyist: http://www.melevsreef.com

[Dragon Slayer]

I was just wondering what type Ca test you used? whenever I mix IO salt I
get a Ca of close to 350ppm at 1.026sg. you didn't mention how much if any
live rock is in the tank, but I wouldn't think in a weeks time it would not
have depleted your Ca to that low of a level.

like Richard suggested bringing up your sg will help out on the Ca levels.
the b-ionic Marc suggested can be had at a much cheaper rate if you pick it
up in the 8 gallon size (comes in 2 five gallon containers) and will last a
good while on a tank that size (6 months with a medium demand on Ca and
Alk).the 8 gallon its $70

with a much lower demand on the system (No Huge Clams or a tank PACKED with
SPS) it will last much longer IME.

hth
kc

"Chris Taylor" > wrote in message
...
>
> I've been out of the hobby for a while and am presently setting a 400
liter
> tank (around 110 US Gal) up using RO Water, Instant Ocean marine salt and
> coral sand. The tank's been settling in for around a week. The SG is
sitting
> at 1.022, PH at around 8.2, 0ppm Ammonia, Nitrite, Nitrate and Phosphate.
>
> I measured the Calcium level today and it comes in at around 200ppm. The
> chart states normal sea water should be at around 450ppm.
>
> What are the acceptable norms in a Reef Tank? and is it usual for
commercial
> marine salts to fall short of usual sea Calcium levels?
>
> I recall reading that Magnesium affects GH and also Calcium absorbtion, is
> this correct and would it be worth buying a Mg test kit to establish if
> Magnesium levels are contributing?
>
> Is there an easy way to increase the calcium levels without a calcium
> reactor and associated CO2?
>
> Thanks for your time
>
> Chris
>
>

[Richard Reynolds]

> the b-ionic Marc suggested can be had at a much cheaper rate if you pick it
> up in the 8 gallon size (comes in 2 five gallon containers) and will last a
> good while on a tank that size (6 months with a medium demand on Ca and
> Alk).the 8 gallon its $70

damn is it really that expensive ???

ive never used it, I use kalk instead, I just had to buy another bottle 1.1lbs for $10
which is hugely overpriced knowing that you can get non aquarium brand stuff thats the
same thing for probibly 5lbs for $10, the 1.1 lb will last me about 6 months in 4
aquariums.
> hth
> kc

--
Richard Reynolds

[Dragon Slayer]

dependant on the aquarium it may make a world of difference on which method
of dosing you use.

i tend to get better calcification of algae with the B-Ionic as opposed to
the Kalk in "most" of my tanks.

kc

> > the b-ionic Marc suggested can be had at a much cheaper rate if you pick
it
> > up in the 8 gallon size (comes in 2 five gallon containers) and will
last a
> > good while on a tank that size (6 months with a medium demand on Ca and
> > Alk).the 8 gallon its $70
>
> damn is it really that expensive ???
>
> ive never used it, I use kalk instead, I just had to buy another bottle
1.1lbs for $10
> which is hugely overpriced knowing that you can get non aquarium brand
stuff thats the
> same thing for probibly 5lbs for $10, the 1.1 lb will last me about 6
months in 4
> aquariums.
> > hth
> > kc
>
> --
> Richard Reynolds
>
>
>
>
>
>

[Dragon Slayer]

dependant on the aquarium it may make a world of difference on which method
of dosing you use.

i tend to get better calcification of algae with the B-Ionic as opposed to
the Kalk in "most" of my tanks.

kc

> > the b-ionic Marc suggested can be had at a much cheaper rate if you pick
it
> > up in the 8 gallon size (comes in 2 five gallon containers) and will
last a
> > good while on a tank that size (6 months with a medium demand on Ca and
> > Alk).the 8 gallon its $70
>
> damn is it really that expensive ???
>
> ive never used it, I use kalk instead, I just had to buy another bottle
1.1lbs for $10
> which is hugely overpriced knowing that you can get non aquarium brand
stuff thats the
> same thing for probibly 5lbs for $10, the 1.1 lb will last me about 6
months in 4
> aquariums.
> > hth
> > kc
>
> --
> Richard Reynolds
>
>
>
>
>
>

[Chris Taylor]

Hi

The Ca test kit is Salifert. I've managed the Alkalinity test and it comes
on bang on at KH = 8, or Alkalinity at 2.86. Thanks for the guidance so far.

I've bought Calcium suppliment and will apply once I've raised the Salinity.
The Local LFS water comes in at 1.023 so mine's not far from the mark at
1.022. There's no live rock, or livestock (besides a handfull of shrimp) so
there's plenty of time to get it right before introducing Inverts and Fish.
Ammonia and Nitrate started the uphill climb today so there'll be another
couple of weeks yet..

Regards


Chris



"Dragon Slayer" > wrote in message
...
> I was just wondering what type Ca test you used? whenever I mix IO salt I
> get a Ca of close to 350ppm at 1.026sg. you didn't mention how much if
any
> live rock is in the tank, but I wouldn't think in a weeks time it would
not
> have depleted your Ca to that low of a level.
>
> like Richard suggested bringing up your sg will help out on the Ca levels.
> the b-ionic Marc suggested can be had at a much cheaper rate if you pick
it
> up in the 8 gallon size (comes in 2 five gallon containers) and will last
a
> good while on a tank that size (6 months with a medium demand on Ca and
> Alk).the 8 gallon its $70
>
> with a much lower demand on the system (No Huge Clams or a tank PACKED
with
> SPS) it will last much longer IME.
>
> hth
> kc
>
> "Chris Taylor" > wrote in message
> ...
> >
> > I've been out of the hobby for a while and am presently setting a 400
> liter
> > tank (around 110 US Gal) up using RO Water, Instant Ocean marine salt
and
> > coral sand. The tank's been settling in for around a week. The SG is
> sitting
> > at 1.022, PH at around 8.2, 0ppm Ammonia, Nitrite, Nitrate and
Phosphate.
> >
> > I measured the Calcium level today and it comes in at around 200ppm. The
> > chart states normal sea water should be at around 450ppm.
> >
> > What are the acceptable norms in a Reef Tank? and is it usual for
> commercial
> > marine salts to fall short of usual sea Calcium levels?
> >
> > I recall reading that Magnesium affects GH and also Calcium absorbtion,
is
> > this correct and would it be worth buying a Mg test kit to establish if
> > Magnesium levels are contributing?
> >
> > Is there an easy way to increase the calcium levels without a calcium
> > reactor and associated CO2?
> >
> > Thanks for your time
> >
> > Chris
> >
> >
>
>

[Dragon Slayer]

for coral and inverts you need 1.026, not 1.023.

your lfs is in the business of making money and keeping overhead cost down.
most run on a very low salt level because of the massive amounts of salt
they go though in a weeks time. it is safe for fish, but very
stressful/lethal to inverts (corals are inverts as well). don't try to
match you lfs but rather the oceans.

kc

"Chris Taylor" > wrote in message
...
> Hi
>
> The Ca test kit is Salifert. I've managed the Alkalinity test and it comes
> on bang on at KH = 8, or Alkalinity at 2.86. Thanks for the guidance so
far.
>
> I've bought Calcium suppliment and will apply once I've raised the
Salinity.
> The Local LFS water comes in at 1.023 so mine's not far from the mark at
> 1.022. There's no live rock, or livestock (besides a handfull of shrimp)
so
> there's plenty of time to get it right before introducing Inverts and
Fish.
> Ammonia and Nitrate started the uphill climb today so there'll be another
> couple of weeks yet..
>
> Regards
>
>
> Chris
>
>
>
> "Dragon Slayer" > wrote in message
> ...
> > I was just wondering what type Ca test you used? whenever I mix IO salt
I
> > get a Ca of close to 350ppm at 1.026sg. you didn't mention how much if
> any
> > live rock is in the tank, but I wouldn't think in a weeks time it would
> not
> > have depleted your Ca to that low of a level.
> >
> > like Richard suggested bringing up your sg will help out on the Ca
levels.
> > the b-ionic Marc suggested can be had at a much cheaper rate if you pick
> it
> > up in the 8 gallon size (comes in 2 five gallon containers) and will
last
> a
> > good while on a tank that size (6 months with a medium demand on Ca and
> > Alk).the 8 gallon its $70
> >
> > with a much lower demand on the system (No Huge Clams or a tank PACKED
> with
> > SPS) it will last much longer IME.
> >
> > hth
> > kc
> >
> > "Chris Taylor" > wrote in message
> > ...
> > >
> > > I've been out of the hobby for a while and am presently setting a 400
> > liter
> > > tank (around 110 US Gal) up using RO Water, Instant Ocean marine salt
> and
> > > coral sand. The tank's been settling in for around a week. The SG is
> > sitting
> > > at 1.022, PH at around 8.2, 0ppm Ammonia, Nitrite, Nitrate and
> Phosphate.
> > >
> > > I measured the Calcium level today and it comes in at around 200ppm.
The
> > > chart states normal sea water should be at around 450ppm.
> > >
> > > What are the acceptable norms in a Reef Tank? and is it usual for
> > commercial
> > > marine salts to fall short of usual sea Calcium levels?
> > >
> > > I recall reading that Magnesium affects GH and also Calcium
absorbtion,
> is
> > > this correct and would it be worth buying a Mg test kit to establish
if
> > > Magnesium levels are contributing?
> > >
> > > Is there an easy way to increase the calcium levels without a calcium
> > > reactor and associated CO2?
> > >
> > > Thanks for your time
> > >
> > > Chris
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
>
>

[Chris Taylor]

Hi

I'm a little confused regarding the salinity requirement of the tank:

Martyn Haywood and Sue Wells 'The interpet manual of marine invertibrates'
(p77) states: """.......Natural sea water generally has an S.G. of between
1.023 and 1.027..........Once properly acclimated many invertibrates seem
happy to accept a constant S.G. in a fairly wide range. For most purposes, a
reading of between 1.022 and 1.024 is acceptable"""

Nick Dakin's 'The Book of the Marine Aquarium' published by Salamander
recommends between 1.021 and 1.027.

Dick Mills book ' The interpet encyclopedia states (p22) -summarised- that
as salt water fish are constantly losing water from their bodies to the
surrounding saline water they need to drink copious amounts of water and
hence create more waste than their fresh water counterparts. He advises that
to minimse 'water-loss' stress, a reasonably low S.G. of 1.020 and 1.021
should be maintained and that this could be increased slowly to 1.022 -
1.023 once the aquarium is fully stocked.

From my own opinion:

It seems to make sense that one's tank should be at least similar to the
supplier's conditions so as to minimise shock to the livestock when
transplanting?

Every LFS I've been to (probably around 20) leave a Hydrometer near their
tanks for the customer to check against and all read between 1.022 and 1.024

What is the general consensus of the NG?

Thanks for taking the time to advise.


Chris


"Dragon Slayer" > wrote in message
...
> for coral and inverts you need 1.026, not 1.023.
>
> your lfs is in the business of making money and keeping overhead cost
down.
> most run on a very low salt level because of the massive amounts of salt
> they go though in a weeks time. it is safe for fish, but very
> stressful/lethal to inverts (corals are inverts as well). don't try to
> match you lfs but rather the oceans.

[Rod]

http://www.animalnetwork.com/fish2/aqfm/1997/nov/features/1/default.asp

This article might help a little ;)
Rod Buehler
www.asplashoflife.com

[Ctmidnite]

My goodness, what an article. Thank you so much. I've got it book
marked.

Captain Midnite

On 18 Oct 2003 12:20:50 GMT, (Rod) wrote:

>http://www.animalnetwork.com/fish2/aqfm/1997/nov/features/1/default.asp
>
>This article might help a little ;)
>Rod Buehler
>www.asplashoflife.com

[Jimmy Chen]

> > the b-ionic Marc suggested can be had at a much cheaper rate if you pick
it
> > up in the 8 gallon size (comes in 2 five gallon containers) and will
last a
> > good while on a tank that size (6 months with a medium demand on Ca and
> > Alk).the 8 gallon its $70
>
> damn is it really that expensive ???

Yeah. I know of an 180g SPS tank that manages to use those 8 gal refull in a
month. Lucky the owner gets them donated by ESV. ;p

jc

[Jimmy Chen]

> The Ca test kit is Salifert. I've managed the Alkalinity test and it comes
> on bang on at KH = 8, or Alkalinity at 2.86. Thanks for the guidance so
far.

I do not recall you indicating what kind of corals you are going to keep in
this system. While these readings are generally important, but different
kind of corals have different kind of intake requirements.

While you are on the SG/Ca chase, you may also want to bring your dkh up to
around 10 or 3.5 meq/l if your system is going to be heavy LPS/SPS.

jc

[Chris Taylor]

Thanks alot for the artcicle. I think mines going to be a compromise at
about 28 deg C with SG at 1.024 giving 35ppt salinity. I don't want to shock
the animals coming from LFS too much.

Thanks again

Chris


"Rod" > wrote in message
...
> http://www.animalnetwork.com/fish2/aqfm/1997/nov/features/1/default.asp
>
> This article might help a little ;)
> Rod Buehler
> www.asplashoflife.com

[Dragon Slayer]

35 ppt is 1.026.

you acclimate fish/inverts/corals that way there is no shock.
to be honest it sounds like you want to either be cheap (with the salt) or
lazy (with acclimation). it will be best in the long run for you and your
tank to go with 1.026.

kc

"Chris Taylor" > wrote in message
...
> Thanks alot for the artcicle. I think mines going to be a compromise at
> about 28 deg C with SG at 1.024 giving 35ppt salinity. I don't want to
shock
> the animals coming from LFS too much.
>
> Thanks again
>
> Chris
>
>
> "Rod" > wrote in message
> ...
> > http://www.animalnetwork.com/fish2/aqfm/1997/nov/features/1/default.asp
> >
> > This article might help a little ;)
> > Rod Buehler
> > www.asplashoflife.com
>
>

[Chris Taylor]

"""35 ppt is 1.026."""

35 ppt is 1.026 at 15 C (59F) 35ppt is 1.0236 at 25 C (77F)

"""to be honest it sounds like you want to either be cheap (with the salt)
or lazy (with acclimation)."""

This is not kind.


Chris


"Dragon Slayer" > wrote in message
...
> 35 ppt is 1.026.
>
> you acclimate fish/inverts/corals that way there is no shock.
> to be honest it sounds like you want to either be cheap (with the salt) or
> lazy (with acclimation). it will be best in the long run for you and your
> tank to go with 1.026.
>
> kc
>
> "Chris Taylor" > wrote in message
> ...
> > Thanks alot for the artcicle. I think mines going to be a compromise at
> > about 28 deg C with SG at 1.024 giving 35ppt salinity. I don't want to
> shock
> > the animals coming from LFS too much.
> >
> > Thanks again
> >
> > Chris
> >
> >
> > "Rod" > wrote in message
> > ...
> > >
http://www.animalnetwork.com/fish2/aqfm/1997/nov/features/1/default.asp
> > >
> > > This article might help a little ;)
> > > Rod Buehler
> > > www.asplashoflife.com
> >
> >
>
>

[Left]

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