#Marine aquarium 3 compatability problems how to#
Remember, however, that this article describes how to solve many different problems, while any given tank can only have one of them, so only a small section will apply. In reading through the article, you may feel that I am making it unduly complicated. This article will clarify the different types of calcium and alkalinity problems encountered in typical reef tanks, and will describe in detail how to “solve” each of them. Moreover, if you try to correct a calcium or alkalinity “problem” with the wrong type of additive, you might accomplish nothing more than creating limestone in your tank. Consequently, trying to correct one problem can cause another. Likewise, adding too much of an alkalinity supplement can result in reduction of calcium. If, for example, you add too much of a calcium supplement, you will drive down alkalinity as you get precipitation of calcium carbonate in the tank. Unfortunately, calcium and alkalinity are linked 4,5 in many ways in reef tanks, and these links can lead to serious problems if they are not fully understood. I have never used Turbo Calcium before and was wondering how much of it I could dose safe. I bought some Turbo Calcium and tried it as the product label recommended but am having no real success. The level has never gone above 250 ppm and drops back to under 200 ppm. I have been using kalk for about two weeks for all top off water, about 3/4 gal a day. I’m having problems raising my calcium levels above 200 ppm. Here, for example, is a real question that typifies the problem: Unfortunately, it is often not as simple as adding more of whatever is depleted. Understanding how to solve such problems, however, proves more elusive. Most reefkeepers know that if these parameters are not maintained appropriately, corals and other organisms may have difficulty 3 in depositing calcium carbonate skeletons. For many reefkeepers, correcting undesirable calcium 1 and alkalinity 2 values can be among the most vexing of the chemical problems encountered in maintaining a reef tank.