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Does anyone know a good additive to raise calcium and magnesium? I have been having a hell of a time keeping mine over 320.
__________________ Samuel
"If they but knew it, almost all men in their degree, some time or other, cherish very nearly the same feelings towards the ocean with me.... There is magic in it. Let the most absent-minded men be plunged in his deepest reveries--stand that man on his legs, set his feet a-going, and he will infallibly lead you to water, if water there be in all that region."
Thanks for the tips guys. What is a good dosing routine for this if my intention is to raise my current levels. Should i add a bit every day or wait longer between doses?
__________________ Samuel
"If they but knew it, almost all men in their degree, some time or other, cherish very nearly the same feelings towards the ocean with me.... There is magic in it. Let the most absent-minded men be plunged in his deepest reveries--stand that man on his legs, set his feet a-going, and he will infallibly lead you to water, if water there be in all that region."
Beginner : my bottol says " 1 level teaspoon per 40gal 2x per week. disolve in 1 cup of fresh water. check calcium level every 2 weeks and adjust amount or frequency accordingly.
Advanced : check calcium level, then follow addition regimen above until calcium level is adjusted to 380 - 420 mg/L. each 5g/150L will raise calcium tby about 12mg/L. quantity or frequency can be adjusted but do not exceed 10 g/150L per day. thereafter use as required to maintain calcium.
Expert : after determining the calcium consuption rate, set up a continuous drip system. use the following formula to determine how much to add to your top off water: m=vc/400 (m=grams to add to top off water, v=volume of tank in liters, c=amount to raise calcium in mg/l). for example, if you want to raise calcium by 25 mg/L in a 200 liter tank, then you would add 200x25/400=12.5 g into the top off water. [for reference: 1 gallon =3.8 liters, 5 g=1 tsp].
Notes : if used with reef calcium, it is not necessary to exceed 380 mg/L total calcium. use reef status : calcium to measure calcium.
I have been using a two part thing from Kent, dosing once daily. It doesn't seem to be doing much of anything. That's what led me to think my magnesium was low; i have read that if you have trouble maintaining calcium, low magnesium might be the cause.
__________________ Samuel
"If they but knew it, almost all men in their degree, some time or other, cherish very nearly the same feelings towards the ocean with me.... There is magic in it. Let the most absent-minded men be plunged in his deepest reveries--stand that man on his legs, set his feet a-going, and he will infallibly lead you to water, if water there be in all that region."
Funny you should post this question. I recently have been having a heck of a time keeping my Ca up. It sits around 320 as well. I have done a lot of research and have decide that with my Ca load I'm going to try the RHF 2 part additive. Are you familar with this? By using this homemade additive, you can safely raise and maitain both your Ca and alk for pennys to the gallon.
If your concerned about finding the materials for this recipe, just type www.two part solution.com and it will show you everything you need and like I said before, its cheap. Its all been tested and its 100% safe for aquarium use. Let us know if you try this method as I will when my order comes in!!!
Mike
__________________ "Hello my name is Mr. Tang and I'm a Reefoholic!"
120 gallon mixed reef Tank, 90 gallon Frag/grow out tank, and 100 gallon sump &
The birth of the 150
Carmie, no i have not tested Mg. I don't have a test kit. Yet! That is actually one of the reasons i was looking for a substance that could maintain both. I will get a kit though; i just need some more money
__________________ Samuel
"If they but knew it, almost all men in their degree, some time or other, cherish very nearly the same feelings towards the ocean with me.... There is magic in it. Let the most absent-minded men be plunged in his deepest reveries--stand that man on his legs, set his feet a-going, and he will infallibly lead you to water, if water there be in all that region."
There is always some other thing that you need to buy. I'd not dose anything that I didn't test for. I found that you can buy Dow Flake at janitor supply places and baking soda at Sam's Club. I use Epsom Salts for the Mg part. Like Mike said this is a really cheap way to go. A 50# bag of Mag Flake is $30, 12# of baking soda is $5 and 8# of Epsom salt is $4. This is about a lifetime supply for $40! Mike let me know if you want some Dow Flake. I've got plenty.
I'm going to place my order as soon as I can save up like 75 bucks. I just bought a used RO/DI unit and I need to get new resin for the DI part. They sell it cheap!!!
I tested the tds of the water out of my unit prior to replacing filters and it was like 8. Pretty good!!!!!!
I got a enough for a gallon mix of the Ca but if I can't raise the money before that gallon runs out I'll pm you. The wife/family has decided that I spend too much on my addictive hobby. I can't agree with them.
Anyways I am excited about trying the two-part and would give it a review if anyone is interested
Thanks
Mike
__________________ "Hello my name is Mr. Tang and I'm a Reefoholic!"
120 gallon mixed reef Tank, 90 gallon Frag/grow out tank, and 100 gallon sump &
The birth of the 150
There is always some other thing that you need to buy. I'd not dose anything that I didn't test for. I found that you can buy Dow Flake at janitor supply places and baking soda at Sam's Club. I use Epsom Salts for the Mg part. Like Mike said this is a really cheap way to go. A 50# bag of Mag Flake is $30, 12# of baking soda is $5 and 8# of Epsom salt is $4. This is about a lifetime supply for $40! Mike let me know if you want some Dow Flake. I've got plenty.
I agree, this is the only way to go if your gonna dose your tank rather than go with kalk or a cal. reactor. If you have to buy 2 part solution every 2 weeks or so your going to break the bank. Why not spend all that money you saved on a new acropora or something?
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