What is the calcium level supposed to be in the pre-mixed saltwater? I buy it from Tropiquarium and when I test it it comes out to be about 340ppm. I'm dosing my 12g nano with 10ml per day of b-ionic and I can't seem to get my calcium above 320-340. Is there something wrong with my test kit. This seems like I'm adding a lot. I only have an open brain, fungia, a few zoos, a candy cane, and some mushrooms in the tank.
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Calcium in pre-mixed water
- Thread starter ChocolateStarfish
- Start date
What are your Ph, Alk and magnesium levels. All of these things can effect one another.
As Matt said, the numbers of those three will have different effects on the other numbers. Low Mag specifically is going to make Ca harder to keep high if that number falls. As a GENERAL RULE OF THUMB (chem nerds, please bite your tounges), you can expect to have a hard time keeping Ca any higher than 1/3 of Mg. So for instance, if you're Mg is 1200 you'll going to be lucky to hold 400 as a Ca reading.
What is the salinity testing at? As I recall from the last time I used their water, Trop mixes low (1.020?). But in all fairness, that was 3 years ago.
Apparently my math skills leave a bit to be desired
What is the salinity testing at? As I recall from the last time I used their water, Trop mixes low (1.020?). But in all fairness, that was 3 years ago.
Apparently my math skills leave a bit to be desired
b-ionic does not raise ca. levels much. try turbo calcium. Ask guys at trop they will tell you the same thing. mag. level at 1350 will help to keep it there. also a kalk drip
Biting tongue big time on ca/mg comment. 
You're probably testing right around 340 on the calcium because they use something like Instant Ocean or Crystal Sea Salt mixes for the in house systems and this is what they are selling you. It's very common to purchase saltwater that is low in calcium and possible Mag because of the salt used by the store. Remember fish stores have more fish only tanks then they do coral tanks (usually) so there isn't a need to use a more expensive salt in the store. It's usually cheaper for the store to bump the calcium in the reef tanks.
The above is a generalized comment about many stores and not Trop specific as I don't know for sure if this is the case but it's very likely.
Just a suggestion. Buy a bag/pail of quality reef salt and mix the saltwater yourself at home. You can still purchase RO/DI water from the store while you hopefully save up for your own RO/DI unit.
Another comment but not specific or directed at Trop is that many fish stores do not actually sell RO/DI water but just RO water. Many don't change the cartridges often either. I used to go around to different stores and pickup 1 gallon of salt and 1 gallon of RO water and test them and I can tell you most have water not worth writing home about. I can say for certain some people would be better off using tap water with a declorinator or picking up distilled water at the grocery store.
Carlo
PS I've never tested Trop's water so this message is not specific in anyway to Trop and only "generalized" as to what I've seen the last couple of years.
You're probably testing right around 340 on the calcium because they use something like Instant Ocean or Crystal Sea Salt mixes for the in house systems and this is what they are selling you. It's very common to purchase saltwater that is low in calcium and possible Mag because of the salt used by the store. Remember fish stores have more fish only tanks then they do coral tanks (usually) so there isn't a need to use a more expensive salt in the store. It's usually cheaper for the store to bump the calcium in the reef tanks.
The above is a generalized comment about many stores and not Trop specific as I don't know for sure if this is the case but it's very likely.
Just a suggestion. Buy a bag/pail of quality reef salt and mix the saltwater yourself at home. You can still purchase RO/DI water from the store while you hopefully save up for your own RO/DI unit.
Another comment but not specific or directed at Trop is that many fish stores do not actually sell RO/DI water but just RO water. Many don't change the cartridges often either. I used to go around to different stores and pickup 1 gallon of salt and 1 gallon of RO water and test them and I can tell you most have water not worth writing home about. I can say for certain some people would be better off using tap water with a declorinator or picking up distilled water at the grocery store.
Carlo
PS I've never tested Trop's water so this message is not specific in anyway to Trop and only "generalized" as to what I've seen the last couple of years.
Carlo said:Biting tongue big time on ca/mg comment.
You're probably testing right around 340 on the calcium because they use something like Instant Ocean or Crystal Sea Salt mixes for the in house systems and this is what they are selling you. It's very common to purchase saltwater that is low in calcium and possible Mag because of the salt used by the store. Remember fish stores have more fish only tanks then they do coral tanks (usually) so there isn't a need to use a more expensive salt in the store. It's usually cheaper for the store to bump the calcium in the reef tanks.
The above is a generalized comment about many stores and not Trop specific as I don't know for sure if this is the case but it's very likely.
Just a suggestion. Buy a bag/pail of quality reef salt and mix the saltwater yourself at home. You can still purchase RO/DI water from the store while you hopefully save up for your own RO/DI unit.
Another comment but not specific or directed at Trop is that many fish stores do not actually sell RO/DI water but just RO water. Many don't change the cartridges often either. I used to go around to different stores and pickup 1 gallon of salt and 1 gallon of RO water and test them and I can tell you most have water not worth writing home about. I can say for certain some people would be better off using tap water with a declorinator or picking up distilled water at the grocery store.
Carlo
PS I've never tested Trop's water so this message is not specific in anyway to Trop and only "generalized" as to what I've seen the last couple of years.
Thanks, Carlo. That is what I was assuming but I wasn't quite sure if it was correct. I figured the water they mix is usually a lower salinity and calcium level to be used for FO tanks. Thanks for the confirm on that. I don't have a Mg test kit but I will pick one up tonight and check my levels. I'll also try the Kent turbo calcium to bump up my calcium. Any advice on raising my calcium? I'm assuming if I raise it to quickly I will throw off my ph, AK, and kill everything? How slowly should I raise it?
ChocolateStarfish said:
I'm not sure on the mag - but to me grabbing a test kit to measure mag on a 12 gallon nano - I feel like you could probably get away with not doing it (ducks head)...
Seriously-you didn't talk about your ALK reading and I think that would be the first test I'd check.
Read this article here: Solving Calc & Alk Problems by Randy Holmes Farley
Definitely see if you can borrow someone else's calc test to verify your own.
Or see if a LFS is willing to help test the same sample for you.
Good luck!
Let it rip crlo I'm just saying what works for me. you know much much more than me and would love to hear your comments
plus biting your tongue doesn't help me or anyone else. I will not get offended if you tell me I'm wrong. It's probably not the right method but at this time I don't have a kalk reactor or a cal. reactor.
It is my comment he's biting his tongue about. We've already had the conversation before and "technically" my statement isn't "accurate" although in practice it is what countless reefers experience. I was just asking that he didn't argue my experience in this particular thread. I'm sure a search of the advanced forum will give you futher information if you're interested in the nitty gritty of it all.
sorry. I get it now. yes my experience too since I'm saying mag. levels at 1350 helps keep calcium levels up. thanks for clearing that up Phyl.