Turbo Calcium

[Aquattro]

Also keep in mind that Turbo Calcium is designed more for one time adjustments. Overuse can throw off your chloride levels.

[RonPeter]

Don't mean to hi-jack the thread but what should you use to maintain your clacium then? I have been using Turbo for that reason for over a year now. Thanks.

[Johnny Reefer]

Originally Posted by RonPeter

Don't mean to hi-jack the thread but ....

OK with me. It's all good.

Cheers,

[Willow]

Originally Posted by RonPeter

Don't mean to hi-jack the thread but what should you use to maintain your clacium then? I have been using Turbo for that reason for over a year now. Thanks.

try dripping kalkawasser at night.

[reeferaddict]

I second the Kalkwasser AND Calcium Reactor... and people... stop buying Kent and other Aquarium Calcium Chloride products... go to a pool & spa place and buy a HUGE bucket for $20!!! EXACTLY the same product.. (77% Calcium Chloride - rest is moisture)

Steve is correct in saying that extended use of Calcium Chloride will eventually skew the chloride balance, hence using Kalk or a Ca Reactor for Calcium maintenance and only using Calcium Chloride for adjustments..

Oh.. one other thing... EPSOM salts to raise Magnesium... also I think helps offset the Chloride imbalance from using Calcium Chloride... but better ask chemist John about these things to be certain.. I hand it over to you Islandreefer... This hobby doesn't have to be THAT expensive Mark... just wait until you get into $1000 skimmers and $500 powerheads... *YEESH*

[StirCrazy]

Originally Posted by reeferaddict

Oh.. one other thing... EPSOM salts to raise Magnesium... also I think helps offset the Chloride imbalance from using Calcium Chloride...

arn't epsom salts Mg Cl?

steve

[Beverly]

Steve,

I'm pretty sure epsom salts are Mg sulphate (or sulfate, can never remember which), not Mg chloride.

reeferaddict,

With the amount of epsom salts needed to maintain Mg over long periods of time, sulphate (or sulfate) in the tank will go out of whack much more quickly than chloride would if using Ca chloride.

I certainly agree with both of you that dripping kalk to help maintain alk and Ca, then use a Ca additive to top up levels when it is required. Mg, on the other hand, is not a component in kalk to any significant degree, and would have to be added in much larger doses than Ca ever would.

Using a Ca reactor with the right media would probably solve a lot of chemistry problems, but I'm never going to have one, and many others are likely in the same boat as I'm in. As a result, I drip kalk nightly and adjust alk, Ca and Mg every week or two, though I should be more consistent and do it weeklly.

FWIW, here's the DIY additives article....

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-02/rhf/index.php

[blaster]

beverly,do you use randy's recipe and does it work good for you?

[Johnny Reefer]

Originally Posted by reeferaddict

This hobby doesn't have to be THAT expensive Mark... just wait until you get into $1000 skimmers and $500 powerheads... *YEESH*

Gad, chill Jim. The expenses I refer to aren't just what I've spent up to now. It's also what I'm lookin' to spend in the future. You hit the nail right on the head. The skimmer I'm wanting to buy is gonna cost $1,000. Hopin' to get it in May. So, yes...it is THAT expensive now, IMO. $500 powerheads? Not for me, thanx.

Cheers,

[Johnny Reefer]

Originally Posted by Johnny Reefer

.... $500 powerheads? Not for me, thanx.

Well I'm glad I didn't say something like...."The day I buy a $500 powerhead is the day I'll eat a pound of Mysis." Haven't actually bought them yet, (lookin' at buying two), but I am researching $400-$500 powerheads right now, and will be making the purchase within the month.
You called it, Jim. My humble apologies.

As for the $1,000 skimmer.....thankfully the new EuroReef RS line are cheaper than there previous line(s).....but I'm buying two.....so, ya, $1,000.

Cheers,