LPS calcium and alkalinity
 

I have a plie of LPS and was curious where people keep their calcium and alkalinty levels to keep the corals happy... My readings are 7-7.5 and about 460 last time I checked. I'm trying to raise the alk., not sure why as everything seems to be okay, just assume it should be 8 plus. Is there a level where people have seen more growth from the corals I.E. when alk was over ?? or when calcium was a min. of ??

i keep my alk at around 8-9 and my cal around 420-440 everyone is different sometimes you just have to settle for what you can get or spend the money and time to force your parameters to be in a certain spot....for lps you should be fine where you are to hence them looking great:)

i wouldnt even bother raising your alk unless you see it dropping if its steady at 7-7.5 then dont fix what isnt broke ....are you dosing anything now??

Tailored Aquatics... I have an awesome dosing system too.. It's called me and the cap....veeery high tech:biggrin:. I don't keep up enough with it at this point and wondering if I should bother, life you definitely be simplier with a doser but I'm too cheap and like you say until it's broke why try to fix it......

I guess the goal would be to maximize growth and if my present levels are not where they need to be to achieve this.

Alk between 7-8 dKH is ideal. If you are at 7.5 that is perfect. Key is to keep your Alk consistant without any big swings.
Ca 400-450ppm. 420 is perfect.

Tailored Aquatics supplements can get expensive over the long term. Alot of people use DIY supplements such as simple baking soda to maintain Alk and cheap calcium chloride (there is a sponser on Canreef that many people use).

Good article is - http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-02/rhf/index.php

Tons of good articles in the Canreef reference library (at the bottom of the forums) on chemistry, Alkalinity and Calcium.

I keep my parameters as close to NSW values as possible.

Balanced Calcium and Alkalinity: (as per Randy Holmes-Farley)

360 ppm to 0 dKH
370 ppm to 1.4 dKH
380 ppm to 2.8 dKH
390 ppm to 4.2 dKH
400 ppm to 5.6 dKH
410 ppm to 7 dKH (natural seawater)
420 ppm to 8.4 dKH
430 ppm to 9.8 dKH
440 ppm to 11.2 dKH
450 ppm to 12.6 dKH
460 ppm to 14 dKH

How does one lower calcium to match alkalinity? because I certainly don't want my alk at 14 :lol:

use instant ocean lol

what are you using for test kits for alk and cal??

Hanna for both, I have been pretty careful with trying to be as accurate as I can when testing. The calcium can be a bit of a pain trying to get all the second part contents out of the package...

I don't worry about Calcium in my tank I watch the alk every now
And then when my tank starts to look funny I then test

Okay good point. Lets see what people key on more, calcium or alkalinity keeping in mind it would be regarding mostly LPS. I've heard them same from a shop I buy alot of my corals from so we have two for alk. anyone else?

Watch your Alk as it drops much quicker.

Alk and Ca consumption are equal in a reef tank. LPS, SPS it doesn't matter. Your Alk will fall considerably quicker that Ca. Alk in comparison to ppm at 7.0 dKh is equal to approximately 200 ppm or 1/2 the volume of Ca (400 ppm).

For every 20 ppm of calcium used, 2.8 dKH of alkalinity will be used up.

For an LPS system I find it can often be maintained by just using waterchanges with slightly higher values than you're aiming for. For example add a bit of cal/alk/mg as needed to achieve cal 440, 11 dKH, 1450 mg in the freshly mixed saltwater. Use this slightly saturated saltwater for 10-20% weekly changes and you may not need to dose the tank directly.