Calcium and Alk levels

[Sea Turtle]

In your opinion, what levels of calcium and dKH do you find to be optimal for color and growth? I currently have my tank at CA 395 and dKH 9.3. Some sps corals are doing well while others are not. Do you think that the dKH should be higher or lower?

 

[Anonymous]

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At 9.3 dkh balanced Ca is around 427.

But, I don' think you need to be chasing numbers.

 

[Sea Turtle]

I have been using a liter meter iii now for four years. I can't say that I have ever had my corals looking good. The ca will be a liitle low and I'll adjust it and then the corals will lose all their color. Then it takes me three months to get them looking ok again. By that time the dkh is to high so I have to adjust it, then the corals crap out again. I have been doing this for four years now and have never been able to enjoy nice growth and beautiful colors. I am ready to close it up! Would this change for me if I was to switch over to a calcium reactor? I need some help! I can't seem to figure this dkh and ca thing out! Why can't I have coral with color and growth? I have spent thousands of dollars with no reward. Could it be something other than the ca alk levels? I change 25% water every Saturday morning.

 

[Anonymous]

Changing 25% every week may be causing the imbalance if the water is not close to the same as the tank. It will cause an imbalance once a week instead of once a month/2 months like most people do water changes.

 

[Anonymous]

I have been using a liter meter iii now for four years. I can't say that I have ever had my corals looking good. The ca will be a liitle low and I'll adjust it and then the corals will lose all their color. Then it takes me three months to get them looking ok again. By that time the dkh is to high so I have to adjust it, then the corals crap out again.

Are you dosing two part? Sounds like your dosing regime is goofy.

I have been doing this for four years now and have never been able to enjoy nice growth and beautiful colors. I am ready to close it up! Would this change for me if I was to switch over to a calcium reactor? I need some help! I can't seem to figure this dkh and ca thing out! Why can't I have coral with color and growth? I have spent thousands of dollars with no reward. Could it be something other than the ca alk levels? I change 25% water every Saturday morning.

Stability is often key. If your parameters are jumping all over, figure out a way to stabilize them.

 

[Sea Turtle]

Yes, I am using a literMeter III with calcium and Alk two part from bulk reef suply. I have calibrated my pumps and if I dose at the same rate equally I cant seem to get the level right. If I raise one higher than the other they still eventually go out of balance then I counter it. I feel like I have to constantly change the dosing to keep it even. Is there any sure way to do it? I have 100 gallons and not too many corals. Where should it be set at? I hate this thing, other than dosing fresh top off water, it has drivin me crazy! Coral look good one week, next week they look like crap, on and on and on...

 

[Anonymous]

Each should be set for the amount your tank needs - which changes over time so its not a set and forget kind of thing.

 

[Sea Turtle]

would i have better results with a calcium reactor?

 

[Anonymous]

Not necessarily - you have to dial that in and make sure it is working as well.