Alkalinity and Calcium (+ stocking Q's)

[Sea_Dawg]

I haven't yet started to add anything to my tank, I am waiting till my birthday to get some test kits. Even though I am pretty sure all would be fine if I put a few things in there, there are already some snails on the glass and these pill bug looking things, I just want to be safe. Well other than that I want to learn about calcium and alkalinity. What are the good levels to maintain and how do you maintain thoses levels, what products ect.?

Thanks in advance,
Ben

 

[Doriginal]

Hi, I just started a tank as well. I think that the calcium should be at a level of 415 normally. I use a product called "purple up" gradually to increase the level daily. I think the ideal levels for alkalinity are between 3.0 and 3.75 and you can use an alkalinity buffer to maintain those levels daily. Like I said Iam new to reefs too so I would wait for the more experienced users of this board to verify my info as correct. P.S. good luck with your new tank!!! :flash:

 

[Anonymous]

with a small tank those parameters should not be an issue if you change water regularly, you really won't even need to test for them, although its a good learning experience anyway. the key is stability for both the actual number value is less importent then fluctuations in those values. Ca anywhere between 300 - 450 is fine and Alk 2.5 - 4 is good. but like i said water changes are for better then suppliments in a small tank, only people who have huge CA demanding tanks full of SPS's need to supliment IMO.

 

[skipm]

I also agree that once your tank has cycled you really don't need to test very often unless something isn't looking right, weekly water changes do a good job of replenishing trace elements and maintaining calcium, buffer, and alkalinity levels. There are a number of products out there if you need more calcium due to high demans that are usually associated with keeping SPS corals and clams but these are rarely needed and are only necessary in a very few systems.

 

[Sea_Dawg]

Thanks a lot!

 

[Sea_Dawg]

I have recently tested my Water for alkalinity and calcium and here is what I got...

Calcium: 315 mg/l
Alkalinity: 6.75 meq/l

Im a little concerned about the alkalinty level. Is it fine like that? Or should it be lowered? How do you recomend it to be lowered?

Also I use KentMarine superbuffer-dKH in all my topoff water, could I be adding to much which is resulting in the high alkalinity?

And finally, would it be unwise to purchase fish with the alkalinity as high as it is?

Thanks in advance,
Ben

 

[rescuediver19]

You should be alright, however if you are picky like me... add about 10ml of alkalinity and 10 of calcium (5ml per teaspoon) do this once every 24 hours and test every 2-3 days (your call) Its not imperative but its a good idea to add these before ur tank lights come on. This avoids a possible pH swing. Alkalinity should be between 380-450ppm and Calcium between 2.5-4 meq/L. The thing is each balances the other so when ur calcium goes up ur alkalinity goes down. If you do suppliment suppliment equally or you will throw off the balance! The most important thing is the lack of fluctuation as said before. Dont worry these things take time to balance and only worry if things start to look poorly

 

[Sea_Dawg]

I think I will just leave it as it is and check on it every now and then.

Thanks.

 

[TimSchmidt]

I prefer to let nature take it's course instead of medicating. Takes a bit longer but it allows things to balance themselves out a bit more naturally (well as natural as a 10 gallon glass box of rocks, sand, and water can get :roll: )

 

[Sea_Dawg]

Today I discovered that my hermit crab has died...I noticed it looking poorly a few days ago and that is why I tested my tank. Could this be linked to my alkalinity and calcium issue, how likely is this?

Also would it be unwise to get a fish or coral considering my alkalinity and calcium?

Ben

 

[cbrownfish]

Hermit crab died? Or did it molt? The molts can look like a dead hermit.....check to see if he is still around somewhere, assuming that you are going by a "carcass" that he left behind. Otherwise, I would do a 10-20% water change to help with any other issues that may lurk.

PS: Be careful if you use purple up. That product contains iodine and calcium which are important in a SW tank. However, if you are adding both regulary, but don't actually need one of them, levels could become skewed and cause problems.

 

[Sea_Dawg]

Nope, the hermit did die. I noticed it not moving for some time and check in the shell...well it didn't move so I just pulled it out of the shell and it was definately dead. Does anyone think that this may be the result of a problem molting, possibly linked the the alkalinity?

I have an idea as to why my alkalinity became raised...I used a few treatments of chemi-clean. How likely is it that this is the reason for the raise in alkalinity?

And once again would it be unwise to get a fish or coral considering my alkalinity and calcium?

PS: Be careful if you use purple up. That product contains iodine and calcium which are important in a SW tank. However, if you are adding both regulary, but don't actually need one of them, levels could become skewed and cause problems.

No I am not using any supplement currently besides the KentMarine superbuffer-dKH in my topoff water. But thanks for the tip.

 

[EDGRAY]

No I am not using any supplement currently besides the KentMarine superbuffer-dKH in my topoff water. But thanks for the tip.[/quote]

I dont know if i was you that mentioned ... that you shouldnt use that product unless is needed since that really mestup with my water when i was using it always KH problems ... so dont supplement nothing if is not needed test the water that you using to do water change and see if is needed if not dont dose it!

 

[Sea_Dawg]

I only use the buffer in my topoff water, im assuming thats ok? However I do beleive that I am overdosing so I will be using a smaller amount from now on. So any answers to my other questions?

 

[TimSchmidt]

I personally would wait to stock the tank any further until the ecosystem stabalizes.

 

[Sea_Dawg]

My alkalinity has now been stable at 4.5 and I belive my tank is ready to be stocked (The Alk was lowered with water changes, and is now remaining constant). My medium sized feather duster, which I thought had died, has been coming "out" of its tube for the last week. Also my Nassarius Snail appears to be very healthy. I think these are signs that my tank is ready for the introduction of new inhabitants.

Tomorrow I plan on going to my LFS and I would like to purchase about 3 blueleg hermits, about two more snails (what type?), and a fish. The fish that I am debating between are a Royal Gramma and a YWG. Does anyone have experiences they would like to share on these fish?

Do you think that my bioload will be able to withstand the introduction of so many new animals?

Thanks in advance,
Ben

 

[Sea_Dawg]

After reading a lot about Royal Grammas and YWG I have decided to go with the YWG. Does anyone have any advice for the care on these fish?

Do you think that my bioload will be able to withstand the introduction of so many new animals?

Thanks in advance,
Ben

 

[reefman23]

After reading a lot about Royal Grammas and YWG I have decided to go with the YWG. Does anyone have any advice for the care on these fish?

Dont spoil them. What I mean is when you get it, it may be a little picky with it's food choices. Mine only wanted to eat mysis. My suggestion would be to not give in and offer it flakes every day... within a couple of days he should take it. Or you could get lucky and get one that loves flakes from the get-go. If you keep them a little hungry, you will see him much more often it seems like.

Also, provide alot of hideouts for him. They seem to love to maneuver around under the LR. Luckily mine has two "dens"... one right in the front and one at the end... both of which are visible to me.

Jesse

 

[TimSchmidt]

That should be fine, normally invertabrates don't add too much to the bioload, it's fish and food that really hits hard. Can we see some pics of your tank after your new additions?

 

[Sea_Dawg]

Well I went to the LFS today and after seeing 30$ for YWG I quickly changed my mind. Instead I got a Yellow clown goby...I know that there are many reports of them not lasting long due to cyanide, but I couldn't resist...

I also got 3 bluelegs, I held off on the snails. I am currently acilimating them, but I will try to get pics when they are in the tank. But im not that great with the camera...

Ben