How do you supplement calcium?

[elfloyd]

I have gathered most of the equipment for my 90g build. Now I am looking at how I will supplement calcium. My research shows three ways of doing this:


<ul>
<li>http://www.geosreef.com/kalk_01.html">Kalkwasser Reactor</a></li>
</ul>


<ul>
<li>[IMG]http://www.geosreef.com/418.html">Calcium Reactor</a></li>
</ul>


<ul>
<li>2 part supplement</li>
</ul>


What do you use and why?
If you had the budget... would you change?

 

[bobz]

I am using two part calc and alk on my tank, administered with dosing pumps that are controlled with my RKE

 

[ksauerb322]

MRC-3 Calcium reactor, works great when it's dialed in (only mess with it when I refill my co2 every 4-5 months). I went this route because I didn't want the hastle of dosing, and was scared of nuking my tank with a kalk reactor if anything did happen. I wouldn't change a thing, I've been happy with this setup. Calcium is holding at 460+ no additives

 

[jeep9783]

250 for kalk reactor 20 for lift pump (should already have an ato) 2.92 for pickling lime?

 

[tgray3]

I do a 10% water change every weekend and i haven't had to dose CA in a long time. The water changes keep the level between 420 and 440. I don't have very many SPS or LPS in the tank though. I use Seachem Reef Builder for ALK which i do have to dose once a week to keep it between 3.5 and 4 mgl. I use Seachem salt by the way.

 

[skriz]

Calcium reactor. It's the cheapest and most stable in the long run. You set it and forget it; you can't beat that! I would never run a reef without one;just like i would never run a reef without a good skimmer.

I also dosed kalk for a while and loved the results. Kalk with a Ca reactor is the best one-two punch.

 

[corigan]

Kalk in the top-off. 2 part to get it to the proper levels.

 

[elfloyd]

Thanks for the offer, and I may take you up on it down the road. I need to get the build complete first... then everything cycled.

IamRit;346618 wrote: Just noticed that you are an ARC member. I'll be more than happy to give you a couple of frags to get you started if you don't have any in your tank yet. Just make sure your tank is cycle before you get the frags. They are just your everyday run of the mill frags but they are not from wild colony. I have the mother colonies in my tank 3-5 years. They adapted well to aquarium lifestyle. They are tiny frags but they grow pretty fast.

 

[grouper therapy]

Kalk drip and calcium reactor

 

[ralph atl]

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/feb2003/chem.htm">http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/feb2003/chem.htm</a>

at a 90, it's on the line for either 2 part or reactor. it's your choice.

I like the 2 part. I have it dosed 4 x's a day on an aqua-medic pump. very easy.

 

[oldschool52]

Used the 2 part but drip Seachem Calcium almost daily. Have trouble keeping calc up over 400. Corals are calc gluttens. Water changes (about 12 % every 2 weeks help). My alk is high but come down with WC. Am thinking reactor but really don't want more stuff hooked to tank. Not much more room in living room. Will keep dosing for now till I get tired of the hassle then maybe invest in a reactor if I can't get the calc up and stable. And to think I don't have a clam yet. LOL

 

[elfloyd]

Good article... thank you.

mysterybox;346690 wrote: http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/feb2003/chem.htm">http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/feb2003/chem.htm</a>

at a 90, it's on the line for either 2 part or reactor. it's your choice.

I like the 2 part. I have it dosed 4 x's a day on an aqua-medic pump. very easy.[/QUOTE]

 

[glxtrix]

Use a Ca reactor and to add a little boost, Prestone Driveway Heat.

 

[jhutto]

Think it all depends on size of tank...90 is jump ball and anything smaller is two part. Greater than 90 will be better for CR. I just got my Creactor dialed in and it appears to be working fine...Time will tell...Just my thoughts.
Joe

 

[pbyrmartin]

I use two part B-Ionic mix, I am using the B-Ionic doser as well, I find it very convenient to do it this way, it’s like set it and forget it.
Right now it doses 50ml (each part)per night, I will have to raise it soon because my frags are take off.
and I know I will have to get a reactor in the near future because I know this doser will not keep up with a all sps tank.

 

[pbyrmartin]

tgray3;346350 wrote: I do a 10% water change every weekend and i haven't had to dose CA in a long time. The water changes keep the level between 420 and 440. I don't have very many SPS or LPS in the tank though. I use Seachem Reef Builder for ALK which i do have to dose once a week to keep it between 3.5 and 4 mgl. I use Seachem salt by the way.

I was trying to it this way too, by doing alot of water changes, but I have too much sps, cal level seems to be droping every month