Kalkwasser and Pure Calcium

An extra potent calcium additive for reef tanks

Reef Keepers are well aware that corals require calcium. This is so for two main reasons:

- for their growth and both short term and long term well-being,
- to be able to remain attached to their outside skeletons by uptaking calcium and precipitating calcium carbonate.

Adding calcium is, therefore, very important a task in every reef aquarium. This can be done by the addition of Kalkwasser which contains not only calcium hydroxide but a very small amount of another calcium compound, making it unique in the hobby in that respect. 

This other calcium compound is also sold separately under the name "Pure Calcium" and can be obtained in 50, 100, 300 and 500 gram quantities. 

You get more calcium increase out of our product than you would out of straight Limewater (kalkwasser made up with just calcium hydroxide). It is not possible for us to give you an exact amount of Kalkwasser that you need to add to your tank because the quantity depends on (except a general statement that all evaporated water should be replaced with Kalkwasser):

- the size of the tank,
- the evaporation rate and quantity,
- the salt you use,
-  the number of corals you have in the tank,
- the type of corals you maintain,
- the degree of maintenance you adhere to,
- the type of filtration used,
- the amount of water changes you perform, and so on.

How do you then determine how much Kalkwasser you need to add to your tank? Simply by testing for the calcium content of your aquarium and adding enough Kalkwasser to maintain a calcium concentration that remains between 475 and 500 ppm. The amount required to achieve this will differ for each aquarium (see reasons given above).

Once you have established how much Kalkwasser your tank requires to maintain the suggested concentration, you can use that amount each time you add the product. The only caveat is that you will still need to test from time to time to make sure that the amount has not changed (meaning that you either have to add more or less).

If your calcium levels fall and remain too low for too long a period of time, your corals will not look good and some may start to detach from their hard external skeleton.

Do not forget either that for the calcium chemistry to work properly, you need to add KSM supplement. If your tank contains a medium load of animals Liquid Gold can, and should, be used and contains enough strontium chloride (the main ingredient of KSM) and barium which is also necessary for the calcium chemitry totake place normally.  

Do not use chelated calcium products. They distort your readings, make it difficult to test the exact calcium level and may add undesiable elements to the water. Stay away from any chelated product! I have written several articles in our Newsletter on chelators and why they should not be used.

If your tank contains a heavy load of corals you will need to supplement with extra KSM as in that case Liquid gold alone cannot provide you with the strontium chloride amount that you require.

We also market another supplement intended to allow you to raise your caclium levels even in an easier manner called PURE CALCIUM. 

Pure calcium comes in granular form and is added to your Kalkwasser to make it even more potent. It does NOT skew the water’s ionic balance towards the chloride ion. It is highly recommended if your tank has a great calcium demand (e.g. when you have a lot of calcareous, coralline algae and a lot of stony corals). 

Pure Calcium is totally safe. It is NOT a chelated form of calcium.

It can be used on its own or in combination with diluted Kalkwasser. You would use it in this manner if the amount of Kalkwasser you need to add daily makes your pH go up too much. Pure calcium does not affect the pH and does not affect the alkalinity either.

It is a very strong (potent) calcium additive that many hobbyists have switched to in recent months and with great success they tell us. I strongly recommend it.

Pure Calcium maintains your calcium levels higher for longer. It does not affect the alkalinity and thus, does not cause pH problems.

Pure Calcium used on its own is one of the best methods to maintain the desired high calcium levels in your tank. This makes calcareous algae grow and ensures that all your hard corals have access to sufficient calcium to grow and remain attached to their exoskeltons.

Pure Calcium has been tested and WILL give you satisfaction and growth.

Try it!