Just mixed up some IO, Ca not so good

[Borderjumper]

Weird, I have been going thru just the same thing. Water changes seemed to be lowering my calcium. I tested the water in my mixing barrel ( 2 day old mix with IO and RO/DI) it tested at 300. This was using 2 different good up to date test kits.
Im swiching to Seachen Reefsalt.

[bv_reefer]

does this meen you need to adjust the water for you're next water change to the same calcium level as you're tank water or does it balance out?

[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 !!