I've been using a calcium reactor for almost 2 years now and am having trouble maintaining calcium. I use the Alkatronic to maintain Alkalinity around 8.5, but have had a few instances where I check calcium (after I have a coral start bleaching) and find it as low as the 200's!
I think the problem is water changes and NSW. If I look at Instant Ocean, which I was using, it mixes at 400 and 11. If it's as simple as 8.5 / 11 x 400, I'm adding NSW at a calcium level of 309 when it moves down to the 8.5 alk that I'm maintaining. Reef Crystals is just as bad at 490 and 13, working down to calcium of 320 at 8.5 alk.
What's the solution? Do I really need to boost calcium in my mixing tank if I'm using a calcium reactor?
I think the problem is water changes and NSW. If I look at Instant Ocean, which I was using, it mixes at 400 and 11. If it's as simple as 8.5 / 11 x 400, I'm adding NSW at a calcium level of 309 when it moves down to the 8.5 alk that I'm maintaining. Reef Crystals is just as bad at 490 and 13, working down to calcium of 320 at 8.5 alk.
What's the solution? Do I really need to boost calcium in my mixing tank if I'm using a calcium reactor?