Alk/Ca

[molybdenumman]

Can someone please tell me the range of both alk and Ca I should be shooting for?

My Ca is about 390 ppm and my alk is at ~12 (4.4 mEq/l)

[Delphinus]

Those are pretty nice levels.

[StirCrazy]

sounds good to me.

Steve

[vjvl51]

From this article - http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/nov2002/chem.htm

"Alkalinity2 (due to bicarbonate and carbonate but not borate, so those using Seachem salt must raise this value substantially to accommodate the borate being counted in standard alkalinity tests)

2.5 - 4 meq/L or 7 - 11 dKH or 125 - 200 ppm CaCO3 equivalents

Calcium:

380 – 450 ppm calcium ion or 950 - 1125 ppm CaCO3 equivalents"

Your readings look good. I try to get at the mid point of the above ranges. You also want to ensure that Ca & Alk are balanced. I use this calculator for that - http://www.kademani.com/reefchem.htm

Vickie

[StirCrazy]

Originally Posted by vjvl51

Calcium:

380 – 450 ppm calcium

Vickie

this range concerns me as the more reading I do the more I agree you do not want your Ca level above 400. personally in my opinion 380 is about perfect, and from the readings and my observations I find that growth rate actually slows down as you go above 400 PPM.

Steve