Reef Chemistry Question of the Day #113 Calcium and Alkalinity in One Additive

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Reef Chemistry Question of the Day #113

Which of the following, when dissolved in freshwater, is not a suitable way to provide both calcium and alkalinity to a reef aquarium?


A. Calcium acetate
B. Calcium chloride
C. Calcium oxide
D. Calcium hydroxide

Good luck!


















.

 

[glb]

Calcium hydroxide?

 

[beaslbob]

.b.
(does nothing for alk except prehaps lower it)

 

[beaslbob]

<<<<doesn't know anything copy answer at your own risk.

 

[kacrocorals581]

its b calcium chloride it well make dkh drop ,calcium acetate can bring both alk and ca and also a carbon source in some water conditions think it also inhibit fluoride, calcium oxide is just burnt lime and calcium hydroxide is lime

 

[hjkesler]

Would you plz explain how do you stabilize The PH and KH in your tank ?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Would you plz explain how do you stabilize The PH and KH in your tank ?

Alkalinity (KH) is best stabilized by adding alkalintiy in some fashion whenever you need it.

pH is best stabilized by maintaining appropriate alkalinity and good aeration with fresh air (not additives).

This has more:

The Many Methods for Supplementing Calcium and Alkalinity - REEFEDITION

The “How To” Guide to Reef Aquarium Chemistry for Beginners Part 3: pH by Randy Holmes-Farley - Reefkeeping.com

 

[fuzzone99]

Gimme "B"

...my final answer.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

And the answer is...B. Calcium chloride

Calcium chloride adds only calcium (and chloride, which has no impact on alkalinity).

Calcium acetate adds calcium and acetate ion. When the acetate ion is fully metabolized, it leaves a balanced amount of alkalinity in the water. Salifert All-In-One is such a product. I detail how it works in the link below.

Calcium hydroxide (also known as lime) is the dry material used to make limewater (kalkwasser). It adds calcium and hydroxide. Hydroxide provides alkalinity, and mostly combines with bicarbonate and/or carbon dioxide to make carbonate or bicarbonate in the water. Again, the link below details how this works.

Calcium oxide, CaO, also known as quicklime, is simply a dehydrated form of calcium hydroxide. Once added to water, it either dissolves or becomes calcium oxide. The rehydration gives off heat. I used this for years from the Mississippi Lime Company simply because this is what we got in a group buy.

This has more:

https://www.reef2reef.com/blog/the-many-methods-for-supplementing-calcium-and-alkalinity/