Is too much Calcium additive a bad thing?

JayBeDriften · 07-25-2006, 09:43 PM

Hello everyone, I have been dosing with Kalkwasser lately and my three Corals have responded to it like a fat kid with cake. I'm curious to know is too much calcium a bad thing. I would like to keep mine within the 550ppm to 650ppm range but just in case I overdose with the Kalkwasser in the morning are their any other side effect of too much calcium other then increased evaporation that I should worry about?

**wwest** · 07-25-2006, 09:48 PM

Have you always ran your calcium at 550 - 650 ppm? i also just started a kalk wasser and i am worried about the same thing. so far i have dialed it down really low and just sitting back testing calcium and kh everyday ( every freakin day lol ) it seems to me my corals love the kalk as well everyone is open and happier than ever however my calcium is at 450 and i have always heard you dont want to go over 480ppm that is why i was asking about your calcium levels.

JayBeDriften · 07-25-2006, 09:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wwest

Have you always ran your calcium at 550 - 650 ppm??

Wwest, since dosing with Kalkwasser I have kept the levels within the 550ppm - 650ppm range. I have noticed the same things with my Corals especially since their Stony Corals. Also I have noticed that my Cleaner Shrimp has finally molted in the first time since the his addition into the aquarium. So I'm assuming that this is a good sign.

**wwest** · 07-25-2006, 09:59 PM

yea i really hope the kalk is doing this good job with our tanks and not just our mines playing tricks lol. also congrads on your cleaner molting. when i purchased mine i stuck him in the tank and about 6 hours later he molted. it kinda freaked me out i thought he was dead lol..

JayBeDriften · 07-25-2006, 10:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wwest

congrads on your cleaner molting. when i purchased mine i stuck him in the tank and about 6 hours later he molted. it kinda freaked me out i thought he was dead lol..

Wwest, thanks I actually saw another molted remains so that makes twice. LOL

fat walrus · 07-26-2006, 12:43 AM

any mineral or element that is more than found is NSW is considered a contaminate. 550-600ppm of calcium is not even close to natural. give your animals water qualities as close to natural as possible, not what may makes sense to reduce work or concern. our place in the aquarium is its caretaker, not its god.

JayBeDriften · 07-26-2006, 10:59 AM

God seems such a better role to play. LOL

***Rob*** · 07-26-2006, 01:48 PM

yeah, thats too high, whats your Alkalinity reading at?

JayBeDriften · 07-26-2006, 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rob

yeah, thats too high, whats your Alkalinity reading at?

Not sure I'll test it tonight and take a new reading and let everyone know. What is the highest you would keep your Calcium levels at Rob?

***Rob*** · 07-26-2006, 01:52 PM

i woudl not go over 450, but my guess is that you will find you Alkalinity is low, adn that is whats causing your high Ca readings..

gwen_o_lyn · 07-26-2006, 10:48 PM

your pumps must hate u

JayBeDriften · 07-26-2006, 10:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gwen_o_lyn

your pumps must hate u

Probably :-) What should my alkalinity level be at? What is an acceptable range.

**wwest** · 07-26-2006, 11:00 PM

alk level to be normal you are looking at 1.7 - 2.8 if you have a red sea tester it might be hard to judge what your level is really at. but i try and keep mine around 2.0.

***Rob*** · 07-27-2006, 10:49 AM

Wes, its important to mention the method of measuring.

if reading in meg/L, you want between 3.5 and 4.5
if reading in dKH you want between 9 and 12

if you are reading in meg/L you are too low with a reading of 1.7-2.8