Just mixed up some IO, Ca not so good

[Aquattro]

I always ran a reactor, so a 10% change didn't affect the levels that much. Using IO without a reactor or kalk, I'd probably use Kent A/B to adjust the makeup water. Or Kent salt, which is pretty much the same as IO but higher Ca.

[Doug]

I always add magnesium & calcium to my Instant Ocean mix. I follow the amounts tested by Ben, {chemmaster}, for his tanks and dont even bother measuring the mix anymore.

[bv_reefer]

purple-up and kent liquid calicium are both the same thing right? aren't they both ionic calcium, because thats what i've been dosing for last couple months..

[DanG]

last batch of IO I mixed up left me with Ca at 325, ALK at 9.6 and Mg at 900.

Definately needs some extra buffer mixed in.

[christyf5]

I've always had IO at about 340-350 or so. Mg is low too, usually around 960-1100

[mark]

Reason for the post was basically to point out water changes alone made with IO won't be enough to keep the Calcium up.

Doug, what this amount by Ben bit?

[Captainhemo]

Read this thread of Bens (Littlesilvermax) Link

. I am also using his chemicals and dosing my RO/DI water with MG and Ca then adding my IO salt. It took a little testing to get the amounts perfect but now every time I mix up a batch of water I can dose the same amount of Mg + Ca to have my water come out at Mg 1300 and Ca 400. Works really well.
I used the reef calculator to get my amounts close then adjusted accordingly after testing Reef Calculator
Can't beat the price either !!

[fencer]

Are you using magnesium chloride or sulfate(epsom salt)? And how fast does the mg drop in your tank?

[Captainhemo]

According to Littlesilvermax, Food grade magnesium chloride mixed with a small amount of magnesium sulfate (I used Randys Recipe in the Calculator to get my mg in the ballpark).

By dosing my weekly water change water to desired levels my Mg has stayed at 1300 (Elos ) since I got it up to that. I have to add about 1.5 Tsp / week of Ca to keep Ca at 400 (I used Dow's Flake in the Calculator).

[Doug]

Originally Posted by Captainhemo

Read this thread of Bens (Littlesilvermax) Link

. I am also using his chemicals and dosing my RO/DI water with MG and Ca then adding my IO salt. It took a little testing to get the amounts perfect but now every time I mix up a batch of water I can dose the same amount of Mg + Ca to have my water come out at Mg 1300 and Ca 400. Works really well.
I used the reef calculator to get my amounts close then adjusted accordingly after testing Reef Calculator
Can't beat the price either !!

Thanks. I was looking for it.

Mine seems to stay around 1350ppm at the present time and my calcium around 420ppm with just kalk additions and a 5gpw water change.