Cal problems

[coralman]

What would cause my cal to drop from 480 to 350 in a week.
This is what is in my tank,one birds nest, one shelving monte,two Duncan's with ten heads each
one trumpet with seven heads and some softys if you can help I thank you very much

 

[Haddonisreef]

Maybe a spike in alk?

 

[FinsUp]

What's your mag level at? If mag is low, calc doesn't absorb into the water and it makes your calc readings low even if nothing is using it up. Also, and this may sound obvious, but I'd rerun the test.

 

[jda123]

All of that stuff growing a bit can do it, especially if you have smaller water volume. Coralline algae also uses a bunch of calcium.

I can drop 60 ppm a day on 300G water volume, but only a 120G display with just growing corals and coralline.

 

[coralman]

Alk was down to 2.5 mag is at 12.50 and I am going to test my ph and cal today did a water change yesterday
this is a 150 g display

 

[jda123]

You need to probably get some calcium chloride and baking soda ASAP, if you don't have any.

 

[Andrew_bram]

You need to probably get some calcium chloride and baking soda ASAP, if you don't have any.

Agree that is two low. You can buy true Dow flake at rio grade building supply. Ruffly $20 for 50 pounds.

 

[coralman]

Dosed my tank yesterday and tested it a lil while ago and my cal is at 480ppm so do you think I will have to start dosing ever week know or will it ever settle out

 

[kyuubichan218]

You might want to recheck your alk too, that's really low. Has your pH been swinging a lot?

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[coralman]

Know ph is 8.3 it was down before the water change

 

[jda123]

It will never settle out if you are growing stuff. I melt 20 pounds of coral skeletons every 3 months to supply calcium and alk to my growing corals... it can sometimes take a lot.

Pick up some DowFlake and a big bag of baking soda from the Grocery store. You will be all set.

You can Google search for calcium and alk calculators that will tell you how much to add to raise your levels.

You should do this as often as possible... especially the alk - weekly will swing too much and can stress stony coral.

 

[Andrew_bram]

Google search randy Holmes Farley two part. It's all there for you to make it up. I would however recommend buying a cheap digital kitchen scale for measurement. Grams is more accurate than cups

 

[coralman]

I will look these up thank you for your help

 

[Off The Deep End]

Is that 2.5 meq because that would be 7dkh.

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[coralman]

Found my problem with my cal. First off there is no know growth in the tank as to refresh
my cal was at 350 ppm alk at 2.5 ph was down to 8.1 and the mag is at 1250 ppm
know the question is has anybody lost there buffer in the tank before meaning do
you have crushed coral in you tank.
Over a period of years all of my crushed coral has gone away.
For this I redone my tank and have found that by more crushed coral to the sand that my cal. Is staying at 460 alk. Is at 4.5 and ph at 8.3 thanks for you help