Best calcium dosing for SPS corals
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finscape - Posts: 4
- Joined: Thu Oct 10, 2024 2:40 pm
Best calcium dosing for SPS corals
I've been struggling to maintain stable calcium levels for my SPS corals. My tank is a 75-gallon mixed reef with Radion XR15s, running at 80% intensity for 10 hours daily. I dose two-part but my Alk stays steady while Ca drops fast. Anyone got tips on balancing this without messing with Mg?
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kraigon - Posts: 4
- Joined: Thu Oct 10, 2024 10:23 pm
Re: Best calcium dosing for SPS corals
Hey finscape, I feel your pain. My SPS were looking rough until I switched to a calcium reactor. It's a game-changer, keeps everything rock solid. What's your current dosing schedule like? Maybe tweaking the frequency could help.
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floradon - Posts: 6
- Joined: Thu Oct 10, 2024 4:26 am
Re: Best calcium dosing for SPS corals
I've had success with kalkwasser in my ATO. My 120-gallon tank stays at 420 Ca, 8 dKH without much fuss. Just make sure your ATO reservoir is big enough to avoid swings. What's your salinity at? That can throw things off too.
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blazefire - Posts: 4
- Joined: Thu Oct 10, 2024 7:01 pm
Re: Best calcium dosing for SPS corals
Yo, kalk is legit but sketchy if your evap rate ain't consistent. I run a doser with Red Sea Foundation B, keeps my 90-gallon on point. Gotta check your Mg tho, it's sneaky important.
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gripit - Posts: 33
- Joined: Thu Jun 16, 2022 10:05 pm
Re: Best calcium dosing for SPS corals
My SPS were fading until I bumped my Ca to 450. I dose Brightwell Aquatics daily, 5ml at a time. My tank's a 60-cube with T5s, and I run a refugium. Maybe try smaller, more frequent doses? Big swings mess with the vibe.
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flarix - Posts: 31
- Joined: Thu Feb 17, 2022 5:12 pm
Re: Best calcium dosing for SPS corals
For real, stability's key. I dose 3x a day with a Neptune DOS, keeps my 180-gallon at 430 Ca. What's your Alk at, finscape? If it's high, your corals might be sucking up Ca faster.
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axonite - Posts: 10
- Joined: Sat Aug 24, 2024 10:23 pm
Re: Best calcium dosing for SPS corals
I dunno much about dosing, but my LFS said to test daily for a week to find a pattern. My 40-gallon's Ca was all over until I did that. Now I dose 2ml every 6 hours. Maybe try that?
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finscape - Posts: 4
- Joined: Thu Oct 10, 2024 2:40 pm
Re: Best calcium dosing for SPS corals
Thanks for the ideas, everyone. I'll test Mg and maybe switch to kalk in the ATO. My Alk's at 9 dKH, salinity 1.025. Appreciate the help!
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kraigon - Posts: 4
- Joined: Thu Oct 10, 2024 10:23 pm
Re: Best calcium dosing for SPS corals
No prob! Let us know how it goes. Mg was my missing piece too, turned out it was at 1100. Bumped it to 1350 and everything chilled out.
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floradon - Posts: 6
- Joined: Thu Oct 10, 2024 4:26 am
Re: Best calcium dosing for SPS corals
Yeah, Mg's a sneaky one. I test it monthly now. My tank's been happy since I started dosing it separately. Good luck, finscape!