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calcium supplimentation

Discussion in 'Advanced Strategies and Fertilization' started by fishface, Jun 20, 2005.

  1. fishface

    fishface Guest

    can anyone here suggest the best way to supplimental Ca. seems as though i'm getting deficincies here (almost 0) in local tap water. will crushed coral placed in a filter bag then in my filter work? also, what is the optimal level for a planted tank??

    thanks for any input...
    darryl
     
    #1 fishface, Jun 20, 2005
  2. Laith

    Laith Lifetime Charter Member
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    Re: calcium supplimentation

    Calcium Carbonate (CaCO3), the main ingredient in crushed coral, will raise your calcium levels (hence GH) but takes forever to dissolve and have an impact. The carbonates in it also raise KH.

    CaCl2 (Calcium Chloride) dissolves relatively easily and does not affect KH.

    If your GH is near zero, you should also add Magnesium. Magnesium Sulphate (MgSO4) is good for this.
     
    #2 Laith, Jun 21, 2005
  3. fishface

    fishface Guest

    Re: calcium supplimentation

    KH is relatively low anyhow 4-dkh. is there any problems if it's raised a few degrees?? also is there any common uses of calcium chloride so i can easily attain it?

    thanks for your help

    darryl
     
    #3 fishface, Jun 21, 2005
  4. Laith

    Laith Lifetime Charter Member
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    Re: calcium supplimentation

    CaCl2 is used as an alternative to salt for de-icing. It's also used in de-humidifier systems. I've heard that it's used with swimming pools as well but I'm not sure for what.
     
    #4 Laith, Jun 21, 2005
  5. Laith

    Laith Lifetime Charter Member
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    Re: calcium supplimentation

    And its not a problem raising the KH a few degrees. If you're injecting CO2 you need to take into account the increase in KH when you determine your CO2 levels.
     
    #5 Laith, Jun 21, 2005
  6. Vladimir Zhurov

    Vladimir Zhurov Lifetime Members
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    Re: calcium supplimentation

    Darryl,

    I would use Seachem Equilibrium as prescribed by manufacturer, or even half the ammount. This will raise GH by 1.5-3 degrees and add both Ca and Mg in recommended 4:1 ratio. It will also add quite a bit of K, so you will not need to add it via K2SO4 or KCl.

    Regards.

    Vladimir.
     
    #6 Vladimir Zhurov, Jun 21, 2005
  7. fishface

    fishface Guest

    Re: calcium supplimentation

    thanks for the info you guys...hopefully i can take care of this issue that seems to have been dogging me for a while. :D
     
    #7 fishface, Jun 21, 2005
  8. Tom Barr

    Tom Barr Founder
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    Re: calcium supplimentation

    SeaChem Eq is fairly cheap and has the K+ and some Fe/Mn also.

    It's an all in one deal for the other things besides the N and P and trace dosing.

    Even if you are not certain of the GH, adding 1degree, ~20ppm will solve any Gh/K+ related deficiency.

    Higher Gh's are better than lower, so this is a good method if you do water changes/CO2 methods etc.

    Regards,
    Tom Barr
     
    #8 Tom Barr, Jun 21, 2005
  9. fishface

    fishface Guest

    Re: calcium supplimentation

    so i just picked up some seachem equilibrium the other day and have dosed as per instructions...not too impressed as of yet. says "to raise mineral content/general hardness by 1 meq/L (3dH), add one tbsp. for every 20g" well, i added 4 tbsp to my 55g last night and expected quite a significant increase in kH but instead it seemed to raise it almost nothing :eek:. well, at the cost of $14 for a small jar of this stuff...hate to say it but...not too impressed none the less. not gonna be all that cost effective in my world. guess i may have to look for a better, more economicaly viable solution here. :mad: should this product not have raised my KH as well???
     
    #9 fishface, Jun 24, 2005
  10. Laith

    Laith Lifetime Charter Member
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    Re: calcium supplimentation

    I thought your issue was Calcium deficiency? Calcium will not raise KH.

    As far as I know, Seachem's Equilibrium is not supposed to significantly affect KH... only GH (by adding, among other things, Calcium and Magnesium, the two main components of GH).

    If you want to raise KH you need to add a carbonate. Baking Soda (Sodium bicarbonate) is good for raising KH but I don't remember the dosages...
     
    #10 Laith, Jun 24, 2005
  11. fishface

    fishface Guest

    Re: calcium supplimentation

    yah, calcium deficiencies in plants but also have low KH...thought the EQ would rasie that as well...guess i'll try baking soda. thanks for the input laith :) .
     
    #11 fishface, Jun 24, 2005
  12. Greg Watson

    Greg Watson Administrator
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    Re: calcium supplimentation

    That is the recommendation for RO water ... if you are using tap water it recommends you test the water and adjust the ratio according to what your GH is ...

    Can you tell me what size this was? 600 Grams?

    Greg
     
    #12 Greg Watson, Jun 25, 2005
  13. fishface

    fishface Guest

    Re: calcium supplimentation

    unfortunately no, 300g...
     
    #13 fishface, Jun 25, 2005
  14. Tom Barr

    Tom Barr Founder
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    Re: calcium supplimentation

    Big Al's and others sell 500grams for 7-8$.
    And larger amounts are available.

    Regards,
    Tom Barr
     
    #14 Tom Barr, Jun 25, 2005
  15. Vladimir Zhurov

    Vladimir Zhurov Lifetime Members
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    Re: calcium supplimentation

    Prices on many aquarium goods in Canada are substantially higher than in the US. So simple currency conversion to estimate price will not work.

    Equilibrium is indeed $4.49 for 300 gramms on Big Al's US site, but $CAD10.99 on Canadian site.

    I have noticed that Greg is offering Seachem products at "simple currency exchange" prices, but one has to consider shipping and customs duties. It still looks like a better deal compared to Big Al's.

    Regards.

    Vladimir.
     
    #15 Vladimir Zhurov, Jun 26, 2005
  16. Greg Watson

    Greg Watson Administrator
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    Re: calcium supplimentation

    I'm not sure what the "official" rules are ... but it seems that if the shipping amount is kept less than CAD$20, they don't stick you with the customs charges ...

    I ship via FedEx Ground to Canada which doesn't charge any brokerage fee either ...

    Greg
     
    #16 Greg Watson, Jun 26, 2005
  17. srozell

    srozell Guru Class Expert

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    Re: calcium supplimentation

    I use Calcium Nitrate for increasing Ca levels. It disolves nicely and is very cheap.
     
    #17 srozell, Jun 27, 2005
  18. fishface

    fishface Guest

    Re: calcium supplimentation

    can anyone give me some insight into CaCl2...i've heard the chloride isn't good for plants. anyone comment on that?? and srozell, where do you get CaNo3 from??
     
    #18 fishface, Sep 8, 2005
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