Calcium Carbonate Hydrate (CaCO3)??
- Thread starter coach_z
- Start date
Interesting...
I'm running very low on liquid calcium. (Kent's Marine) - I got my bottle for $6 something first time around now I'm not seeing it for under $9.
At $2.50 for 1 lb- this stuff looks like it could be considerably cheaper.
I'm running very low on liquid calcium. (Kent's Marine) - I got my bottle for $6 something first time around now I'm not seeing it for under $9.
At $2.50 for 1 lb- this stuff looks like it could be considerably cheaper.
Lupin
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- Sep 21, 2006
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It's simply calcium carbonate which increases both the pH and hardness levels to an extent compared to other forms of calcium. Kent's liquid calcium is calcium chloride and does not increase pH except the hardness levels.
As an alternative CaCO3 source, the next time you have clams, save the shells, scrub 'em, rinse 'em, boil 'em, and then throw a couple of them in the tank. Since the shells are organically grown, they probably contain necessary trace elements that a manufactured source won't, like Mg, K, and P. And they probably have them in the right proportions other shelled inverts need.
Ahhhh... yes, you're right... I knew that once... 
The baking soda I add reacts with the liquid calcium producing Carbon Dioxide and... calcium carbonate.
Plus just figured out- after shipping this stuff would end up being the same price. Still the baking soda I add does increase my pH... perhaps instead of mixing two things I could mix just one.
It would be a pain trying to get a working formula in my water changes figured out again- but if it saves money...
The baking soda I add reacts with the liquid calcium producing Carbon Dioxide and... calcium carbonate.
Plus just figured out- after shipping this stuff would end up being the same price. Still the baking soda I add does increase my pH... perhaps instead of mixing two things I could mix just one.
It would be a pain trying to get a working formula in my water changes figured out again- but if it saves money...
okay so this stuff = calcium carbonate which increases ph and messes with water chemistry (well, duh, you are adding chemicals right, lol)
Kent's liquid calcium = this?(CaCl2) which does not alter water chemistry?
so, if i were to want one of these products i would want Kents liquid calcium which is calcium chloride(CaCl2)?
mtiffany thanks for the suggestion of clam shells...will keep that in mind.
Lupin
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Calcium chloride does alter by increasing the KH but not the pH. I wouldn't worry about pH elevating. There is a limit to that. The most it could do is 8.4 and does not exceed any further unless you start using calcium hydroxide also known as kalkwasser in reef systems.
If the speed at which the calcium is available in the tank is a factor:
The liquid calcium, Calcium chloride (CaCl2) is immediately available (since it's a salt) -- instant release.
Calcium Carbonate hydrate is less soluble than the CaCl2 -- slower release.
Solid CaCO3 (shells and limestone) less soluble than the calcium carbonate hydrate -- slowest release.
The liquid calcium, Calcium chloride (CaCl2) is immediately available (since it's a salt) -- instant release.
Calcium Carbonate hydrate is less soluble than the CaCl2 -- slower release.
Solid CaCO3 (shells and limestone) less soluble than the calcium carbonate hydrate -- slowest release.
Interesting MTiff... I guess in my unique situation (soft slightly acidic tap water) I'm best keeping with adding liquid calcium and baking soda...
... I always tried to avoid the buffered substrate route because of the shock it would introduce to the tank every time I did a water change adding soft acidic water to a buffered tank. Therefore I like to get my water to the right parms before adding it to the tank.
Looks like what I'm doing is probably best.
... I always tried to avoid the buffered substrate route because of the shock it would introduce to the tank every time I did a water change adding soft acidic water to a buffered tank. Therefore I like to get my water to the right parms before adding it to the tank.
Looks like what I'm doing is probably best.