Low Calcium

[kathya0321]

My current parameters are:
Phos - 0.052
Nitrate - 12.5
Alk - 9.632
Calcium - 343
PH 8.1

I have a 25 gallon Red Sea Max, softies and LPS. How can I raise my Calcium without messing up the other readings. I have Brightwell's Coraline Accelerator, is that ok to use?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

My current parameters are:
Phos - 0.052
Nitrate - 12.5
Alk - 9.632
Calcium - 343
PH 8.1

I have a 25 gallon Red Sea Max, softies and LPS. How can I raise my Calcium without messing up the other readings. I have Brightwell's Coraline Accelerator, is that ok to use?

What is your salinity? have you truied that kit on some new salt water?

I would not assume the Brightwell product is useful in any context, and I think they do not understand the chemistry involved. In any case, the calcium in it from the aragonite will not dissolve in seawater and is not going to be useful to raise calcium.

You want to use calcium chloride. There are many hobby brands available, or DIY.

Here's a calculator to use:

http://reef.diesyst.com/chemcalc/chem_calc3.html

 

[kathya0321]

What is your salinity? have you truied that kit on some new salt water?

I would not assume the Brightwell product is useful in any context, and I think they do not understand the chemistry involved. In any case, the calcium in it from the aragonite will not dissolve in seawater and is not going to be useful to raise calcium.

You want to use calcium chloride. There are many hobby brands available, or DIY.

Here's a calculator to use:

http://reef.diesyst.com/chemcalc/chem_calc3.html

My Salinity is 1.026, I currently did a 2 gallon water change yesterday, I didn't test the Sea Water as I get it from my LFS and have never had a problem. I have to admit I have never tested the Sea Water before using it, guess I'll have to check it out next time. What would the DIY consist of? I use Hannah checkers for testing.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

My Salinity is 1.026, I currently did a 2 gallon water change yesterday, I didn't test the Sea Water as I get it from my LFS and have never had a problem. I have to admit I have never tested the Sea Water before using it, guess I'll have to check it out next time. What would the DIY consist of? I use Hannah checkers for testing.

There are lots of DIY brands for calcium chloride, and any food grade or pharma grade material (such as from Amazon or BRS) is certainly OK.

 

[ryanjohn1]

I’d double check that calc especially since wc yesterday.