Striking A Balance
Hi,
<Hello- Scott F with you!>
I just have a quick question. Can alkalinity ever be too high ? I tested my calcium level and right now it is about 350 (test only measures in increments of 50). I was told by my local fish store that if my calcium is only 350 then alk can never be too high and that if I added buffer every day it would be fine? Does this make sense. How often should I add buffer?
<Well, any substance that you add to the water, including buffers and Kalkwasser, requires testing to verify not only that the amount that you are adding is appropriate- but to see if it is even necessary. Just adding buffer or other additives without supporting water testing is a bad "habit" to get in to, IMO!>
They told me to put in every day to maintain current level . This does not seem to be correct in my opinion. I was under the impression that if I dosed Kalk, this would maintain alk, and that the higher your alk is the lower calcium will be.
Thanks
<Well, your LFS seems to have made a very generalized statement. The calcium/alkalinity dynamic is somewhat confusing and often misunderstood. Suffice it to say (and here I am generalizing!) that a very high calcium level often has an accompanying moderate alkalinity level. You really cannot have both high calcium and high alkalinity at the same time...As Anthony eloquently points o ut with his "marble analogy" in his "Book of Coral Propagation", a given quantity of water can only "hold" so much, before something has to "fall out" of solution. The best thing that we can do is keep a "balance" between the two factors. Remember, too, that we tend to get really fixated on specific readings as our "target", and sometimes forget to just look at the aquarium...Your animals will let you know if your calcium level is sufficient, through growth and overall health. Do a little reading on the WWM site to get a better understanding of the calcium/alkalinity dynamic...You've got a good idea so far- just keep reading up on it! Good luck! Scott F>

- Calcium & Alkalinity -
Hey Steven Pro
<Hello, JasonC here today...>
I try and not ask to many question or take you guys for granted. But sometimes I just need a little clearing of the facts. And I did check your FAQs. <Ok.>
Can you explain the calcium/alkalinity relationship? <Not very well in a brief email... the quick answer is that at high levels, they are mutually exclusive.> I don't mean the whole thing. I don't need numbers or specs or formulas. Just why does it seem alkalinity goes down when calcium goes up? <Uhh... you've asked the loaded question to which there is no simple answer.> Although I don't think it really does go down. There must be some symbiotic relationship. <They are not symbiotic.><<Are more "antagonistic", mutually-exclusive... though both necessary. RMF>> I just seem to be missing a piece in the puzzle. <Please read here:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/calcalkmar.htm >
Thanks, Bill
<Cheers, J -- >

Dynamic Dynamics of the Calcium Alkalinity Dynamic
Hey guy..
   hope this question finds you all doing well.
<Just dodged a round of layoffs at work, can't complain.  Maybe it's time to move on.>
I found  a site stating that the balance to an Alk level of 4 meq would be 440 ppm Ca . Does this sound ok with you enlightened folks..
<My search for enlightenment, hmm... I do need to get back to that, but for now lets talk Calcium and Alkalinity.  4meq Alk is a fine hardness, when your Ca gets up around 440ppm you will want to watch for creeping and spikes, 440ppm is towards the top of the scale too much higher could cause precipitating Alk.>  Rush is talking about you guys when he says "Knowledge on loan from God" hehe ..
<Ha, simpler than that, people sharing is a good thing.  Check out the following link for a good article on the relationship between Calcium and Alkalinity. -Gage   http://www.wetwebmedia.com/calcalkmar.htm >
  keep up the good work.
<Will Do.>
  Mike