Does raising alkalinity raise calcium?
In other words, as the alkalinity rises, the amount of calcium that can be kept in solution without precipitation decreases. This effect is why, for example, maintaining a very high alkalinity can lead to excessive precipitation of calcium carbonate onto objects such as heaters and pumps.
Will raising alkalinity lower 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. Likewise, adding too much of an alkalinity supplement can result in reduction of calcium.
How do you balance calcium and alkalinity in a reef tank?
The easiest and most popular way to maintain calcium and alkalinity levels in a reef aquarium is to use balanced 2-part calcium and alkalinity supplements. We recommend 2-part supplements, such as BRS Bulk Pharma, that contain calcium and alkalinity in balanced ratios, along with trace elements.
Can you have too much calcium in reef tank?
If calcium levels get too high (over 500), there is a tendency for alkalinity to drop, affecting the buffering capacity of your aquarium water. Without adequate buffering, pH levels become susceptible to fluctuations.
What is the test for calcium?
Serum calcium is a blood test to measure the amount of calcium in the blood. Serum calcium is usually measured to screen for or monitor bone diseases or calcium-regulation disorders (diseases of the parathyroid gland or kidneys).
Do soft corals need calcium and alkalinity?
Being that some soft corals have small Sclerites within their tissue, yes, they do need alkalinity, calcium & magnesium all to be at the proper levels for them to thrive.
Is high alkalinity bad for reef tank?
The main problem with a high alkalinity level is that it can interfere with the uptake of calcium by the inhabitants. In some cases where the alkalinity is too high, solids, such as calcium, may precipitate out of the water and become unavailable to the aquarium’s residents for any purpose, including growth.
Which is the best test for alkalinity in water?
Palintest offers a range of equipment for alkalinity testing ranging from simple visual tests such as the Contour Comparator, to advanced digital testing using our photometers. The Photometer 7500 tests for all major water quality parameters and is suitable for use in the lab or in the field.
Why do you need a residual alkalinity test?
Alkalinity is required to maintain effective biological activity and pH control. After complete nitrification, a residual alkalinity of 50 mg/L in the aeration tank is desirable. The process of nitrification uses up carbonates and bicarbonates and increases the acidity of the water.
Why is alkalinity reported as ” mg / l as CaCO3 “?
Why is alkalinity reported as “mg/L as CaCO3”? Units of mg/L are a “mass dissolved in a liquid.” Reporting alkalinity as “mg/L as CaCO3” specifies that the sample has an alkalinity equal to that of a solution with a certain amount of calcium carbonate (CaCO3) dissolved in water.
Which is simpler to understand calcium or alkalinity?
Calcium is in some ways simpler to understand than alkalinity, but it too has its complications. This article is one part of a series that will show the many facets of calcium in the ocean and in reef tanks. Calcium is one of the major ions in normal seawater, comprising about 1.2% by weight of the solids (410 ppm).