Calcium

cindy · #1 04-03-2006, 17:03

I have a 125 Gal. Reef tank with a few fish. I had been having problems trying to increase the calcium levels in my tank. The level was running about 240. I went to a local pet mart and was told to use Seachem's Reef Advantage Calcium and to double the dose to give the calcium a good boost. The directions say to dissolve so many teaspoons and add twice a week. I inquired as to whether the teaspoons should be doubled or the frequency doubled. I was told to double the teaspoons. I raised my calcium level to 380 over the course of 1-1/2 weeks. As a result I have lost most of my corals and the ones I have left are in pretty rough shape. I am guessing that the advise I received was wrong and it should have been the frequency that was increased. Is there any way to save the corals I have left or will they eventually come back on their own?

Tech Support CH · #2 04-04-2006, 10:51

Each dose (1 teaspoon per 40 gallons) will raise your calcium by about 12 mg/l. We recommend not exceeding more than a double dose a day and do not dose with an alkalinity supplement. This information is available on the label. If everything else was balanced in your aquarium it should have taken you 12 single doses to raise your from 240 to 380 mg/l

The fact that you have lost corals tells me that something is not balanced in your aquarium. To save the corals that you have left you will want to get your water balanced. I would recommend that you have your calcium, alkalinity, magnesium, salinity, ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, and phosphate checked. Did you notice any cloudiness or a white build up on the glass, heater or pump when you dosed the calcium. That is a precipitation. It is a sign of high calcium, high alkalinity or low magnesium. Many people unknowingly overdose pH buffers not realizing that they also raise alkalinity. Did you use fresh water to mix the Reef Advantage Calcium? If you use saltwater than that will cause a precipitation. To correct your system, if a precipitation has occurred and ions have precipitated out of solution, enough partial water exchanges should be performed to bring your calcium level closer to 400 mg/l and to bring your alkalinity closer to around 4.0 meq/l. This will also bring your magnesium back closer to 1200- 1350 mg/l. Please feel free to call our tech support line with your test results for a further assistance if needed. 1-888-732-0003