Is a calcium supply necessary in a reef aquarium?

Yes, because calcifying organisms such as corals, clams and calcareous algae extract substances from the water which they need for their growth. Thus calcium and carbonates are built into skeletons or shells. The concentrations of these substances decrease and must be increased accordingly. This is the only way to ensure the further development of your reef inhabitants.

What are the general possibilities of carbonate supply?

That would be: (1) water exchange with sea salt suitable for corals, (2) Kalkwasser, (3) Balling, (4) variants based on Balling, (5) combi-products such as Carbo-Calcium and All-for-Reef and (6) the calcium reactor. Water changes and Kalkwasser additions are no longer sufficient or hardly practical with increasing coral population and when stony corals are added - especially in tanks beyond the nano size. The Calcium Reactor is an additional technical component which is particularly worthwhile for large tanks - but even here, minor adjustments of the calcium or alkalinity values may be necessary.

How does Carbo-Calcium work?

Dissolve the Carbo-Calcium in osmosis water according to the package instructions or use the ready-to-use liquid version. The solutions can be used immediately and have a long shelf life. First determine the volume of water in your aquarium and the alkalinity using a suitable water test. Then determine the required dosing quantity - e.g. with the help of a dosing calculator.

Dosing Calculator

The initial dosage is 5 ml Carbo-Calcium per 100 litres of aquarium water. Ideally you should distribute the daily dose and avoid putting everything into the aquarium at once. A dosing pump can do this job for you.

Now check the water values regularly, especially alkalinity, and increase the daily dosage week for week by 2.5 ml per 100 litres of water volume until the alkalinity is constantly between 7 and 9 °dKH.

Which equipment is required?

Alkalinity test and optional calcium test to check the water values; osmosis water; container (e.g. canister) and if needed funnel for preparing the solution as well as (kitchen) scale (not necessary for the liquid version); if required dosing pump incl. hoses etc. (ensures a constant supply and thus reduces fluctuations)