Question 1, Calcium

[StirCrazy]

Originally Posted by steve-s

So the 415 ppm would also be reduced by 15% giving you a value of 352.75 ppm. Same explaination, just different route to get there.

Cheers
Steve

ya I think I had 357ppm or something.. just rounded up to 360

Steve

[Ruth]

I certainly don't profess to understand the whole chemistry thing that goes on in my tanks but I do know through trial and error and doing a whack of research what works for me and at what levels my tanks seems to do their best. I try to maintain my aquariums calcium between 420 and 440, my Mg. at 1300 to 1350 and my KH at 6.5 to 7.5. Salinity between 33 and 35ppt. I run a calcium reactor on my 2 large systems and I would highly reccommend running this piece of equipment on any larger system that you plan on keeping calcium demanding species in. I am going to try adding some magnesium granules to my reactor media next time I have to add some to see if this will eliminate the need to dose mg. On my 44g cube I do dose C-Balance 2 part solution but I find this a PITA to stay on top of and not have swings in levels. If I do find my calcium dropping (which has not happened since I brought the reactors on line) I have some Kent turbo calcium that I plan on using.
I agree with Bev that it is difficult to talk about Calcium without also discussing the balance of KH and Mg as they are all related and integral to each other.

[StirCrazy]

Originally Posted by Ruth

I am going to try adding some magnesium granules to my reactor media next time I have to add some to see if this will eliminate the need to dose mg.

Do you have a Mg drop whith the Ca reactor running? I found once I did my inital corection the Ca reactor maintained Mg also. what are these Mg crystals you are talking about?

Steve

[Ruth]

I still find that I have to dose Mg. every once in a while as mine will creep down below 1300. I have been using the Seachem Mg. but here is a link to a page that lists what I bought (it is the granules)
http://www.captiveoceans.com/product...pplements.html
Here is what it says about them:
ZEOmag is a pure magnesium granulate to be used in calcium reactors (5-15% of total media volume) to maintain magnesium levels. Magnesium is easily added without chloride and without disturbing the ionic balance in your tank. Granulate size 6-12 mm.
The tank that I have to dose the most often is my cube tank that does not have a reactor hooked up (yet). What I usually do is just add Mg. to my change water to bring the level up to just over 1400 in that water and it seems to keep things fairly steady in my tank.
I think that the most advantageous thing about a calcium reactor is that it keeps your levels steady and consistent and balanced and not constantly changing the way they have a tendency to do unless you are super diligent in adding exactly the right amount of 2 part or other solution.

[SeaHorse_Fanatic]

I have used Kent's Liquid Reactor for my tanks for 2 years now & it's done a great job growing my clams especially. Ask any of the local reefers who've seen my Squamosa or Derasa (before it's mantle got torn from a shift in current) & they'll attest to the very high growth rates in my tanks. I don't have a calcium reactor, but then again, I'm not sps-heavy in my tanks. Yes, I have to dose frequently (daily or every other day) but I look at my tanks bazillion times a day anyways, so it's part of my night time routine to add the Liquid Reactor.

That being said, having seen Props, Chin Lee's, Jack's & TomR's tanks, if went really big or heavy into sps, then I would also invest in a Calcium reactor for the ease & stability it offers.

Good idea on these discussion threads, btw.

Anthony

[StirCrazy]

Originally Posted by Ruth

ZEOmag is a pure magnesium granulate to be used in calcium reactors (5-15% of total media volume) to maintain magnesium levels. Magnesium is easily added without chloride and without disturbing the ionic balance in your tank. Granulate size 6-12 mm.

Interesting, I think there is a little misleading info in that sales add though. Pure Mg is a soft metal that is very flammable so what they are selling isn't pure Mg But I wonder what else you are getting with it? It looks like it might be good to try although it is expensive, I would be looking at 50.00 to add 15% of my reactor media..

Steve

[Ruth]

Compared to some other things that I buy for my aquariums $50 doesn't seem that bad and as I understand it the 15% will last as long as the reactor media so in my experience at least 6-8 months. I suspect that it is probably some kind of dolomite (I think that is what it is called) material. I'm going to put it in my reactor on my 230g because I have to add new media to that in the next month and on my 190g it looks like I will be another 6 months or so before I have to add any media so it will give me a chance to monitor if it makes a difference.

[Bartman]

In any article I've read (eg. http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2005/12/aafeature1 ) the Ca for NSW is generally referred to as 410 - 420 ppm. Evolution being what it is, why would we shoot for anything outside this range?

[StirCrazy]

Originally Posted by Bartman

In any article I've read (eg. http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2005/12/aafeature1 ) the Ca for NSW is generally referred to as 410 - 420 ppm. Evolution being what it is, why would we shoot for anything outside this range?

because the average Ca in NSW is 400 . it varies a little in various parts of the world. I think reefers have inflated the numbers over the years thinking it is better. so if we look at the average we could easily guess that maybe we should be looking for 380 to 420. but there is also something else we should be looking at, Mg? nope it won't cause a problem or difference in Ca unless it is low (and that isn't from some book ) but Alk, Alk will allow your Ca to either go above normal, hold it at normal or let it dip below normal depending on its concentration. personally I don't know of any reef tanks that are perfectly balanced. I used to go for the higher Ca thinking well if 400 is good 450 must be better but found it wasn't over the years. I have found the chemistry that work the best for me is a Ca of about 380 and a Alk of about 13. now this is just my findings others might find different levels, but I think the "well if 400 is good 450 must be better" attitude has been creeping levels up for years.

Steve

[Ruth]

I have been guilty of the same thing as Steve - if 400 is good then 450 must be better and 500........whoo hoo. My experience has shown me that if I shoot for calcium in the 400ppm range and Alk/DKH in the 8.5 range I seem to have the most success.