Calcium Mix
Printed From: Utah Reefs
Category: Specialized Discussion
Forum Name: DIY
Forum Description: Do it Yourself
URL: http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=29513
Printed Date: July 22 2026 at 7:38pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.03 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Calcium Mix
Posted By: Crazy Tarzan
Subject: Calcium Mix
Date Posted: November 22 2008 at 8:29pm
|
So, I tested my alk and calcium today. Dkh was 10.2 if I remember right, and my calcium was at 350 or so. I have some calcium chloride ice melter, and am just looking for some sort of recipe on how to mix it. How much ice melt to how much water? I am dosing a 26 gal bowfront with a 10 gal sump/fuge. I also have pickling lime and reef buffer at my disposal as well. Last time I did this I crashed my alkalinity without realizing it--but I'll keep an eye on it this time. ------------- Was that in there yesterday? Casper--WY windier than ? Down to a 20, soon to double or nothing |
Replies:
Posted By: dew2loud1
Date Posted: November 22 2008 at 8:35pm
|
Honestly those levels aren't that bad, how heavy of a calcium demand do you have? What brand of icemelt, is it straight calcium chloride? |
Posted By: Mark Peterson
Date Posted: November 23 2008 at 5:28am
|
If the answer to Kyle's question is yes, then I would simply mix as much as will dissolve in a cup of RO water (~1-2 Tablespoon) and pour about 1/4 - 1/2 cup of the solution into the tank, then test tomorrow to see the effect. Don't worry about a little undissolved residual. It will dissolve later when some liquid has been poured off and new RO water is added. When I was farming coral for profit, I would mix up a two liter pop bottle full of CaCl2 and deliver it in 2 or 3 doses to my 100+ gal system each week. Note the warmth given off by the solution as the CaCl2 dissolves. That's kind of fun. ------------- Reefkeeping Tips, & quick, easy setup tricks: www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=9244 Pay it forward - become a paid WMAS member 
|
Posted By: jfinch
Date Posted: November 23 2008 at 10:53am
|
If your total volume is really 36 gallons then it will take ~4.5 tsp of turbo calcium (or ice melt) to bring your calcium up to 410 ppm. But you've likely got rock in your tank and algae in your sump so I'd guess you need about 70% of that much. So ~3 tsp. Since you overshot last time, this time I'd suggest mixing up two tsps in any amount of RO water and add it to your tank. Check calcium level after a few hrs. You'll now know how much 2 tsp changes your water chemistry and be able to adjust with confidence next time.
------------- Jon https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6y_EzjI_ljbIwf2n5uNzTw" rel="nofollow - What I've been doing... |
Posted By: Crazy Tarzan
Date Posted: November 23 2008 at 6:04pm
|
thanks jon--that's along the lines of what I was looking for. It's prestone driveway heat on the container if that makes any difference. ------------- Was that in there yesterday? Casper--WY windier than ? Down to a 20, soon to double or nothing |
Posted By: snoyce
Date Posted: November 24 2008 at 8:27am
|
Prestone Driveway heat is Anhydrous CaCl2, same as Peladow
I use the reef chemistry Calculator at this site to figure out how much to dose
http://home.comcast.net/~jdieck1/chem_calc3.html - http://home.comcast.net/~jdieck1/chem_calc3.html
which does give you the same ammount as Jon said 4.5 tsp if you really have 36 gallons
|
Posted By: Mark Peterson
Date Posted: November 24 2008 at 9:48am
Thanks John. It's nice to confirm that my "calculator" is still working well and my suggestion to add 1/4-1/2 cup of CaCl2 solution would actually undershoot the 410 ppm you came up with. ------------- Reefkeeping Tips, & quick, easy setup tricks: www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=9244 Pay it forward - become a paid WMAS member
|