Calcium Deficiency

[androo303]

Hey all.

So I think I may have a calcium deficiency by looking at photos on the net (I will post a picture of some leaves later).

What can I use to up the calcium? Can I get some crushed coral/sand that is used in saltwater tanks and add it to the filter?

[exv152]

The hydroponics place you buy your dry ferts at also sells calcium nitrate CaNO3. Crushed coral will raise your KH, GH and pH and it's not measureable. The dry stuff is 18.8% Ca min, and 15.5% NO3. So you get the benefit of both and this form of Ca is very water soluable.

[Dan]

I had the same question...I wish to raise calcium also.

Has anyone tried this store for Calcium Nitrate (just found them on the Web) www.generalgardens.com/?

[androo303]

The hydroponics place you buy your dry ferts at also sells calcium nitrate CaNO3. Crushed coral will raise your KH, GH and pH and it's not measureable. The dry stuff is 18.8% Ca min, and 15.5% NO3. So you get the benefit of both and this form of Ca is very water soluable.

Hey Eric, who is the local hydroponics shop here in Ottawa? I keep forgetting it.

[Dan]

Ok, so this place www.generalgardens.com/ does not carry it (I dropped by today)...they have nothing aquarium related (should have called first  )

[alexv]

Hey Eric, who is the local hydroponics shop here in Ottawa? I keep forgetting it.

I'm getting my dry ferts from B&B Hydroponics off of Maitland street.

[blueknight0303]

you guys can also try at brite lite at cyrville road. heres the site:

http://www.hydroponix.com/site/

[Anubias]

you guys can also try at brite lite at cyrville road. heres the site:

http://www.hydroponix.com/site/

They carry pre-mixed solutions for hydroponics. B & B in the west end carries the dry Ca(NO3)2. Price is fair.

[angelcraze]

I also suspect that I have a small calcium deficiency in my aquarium with red ramshorn snails and anubias.  Does anyone know if calcium nitrate (caNO3) will also raise ph?  I have crushed coral in the filter already to keep the kh at 3 and ph steady, but I am worried about raising the ph too high for the congo tetras that also share this tank.  I could not find out very much on the web without getting into reef stuff.  Thanks.

[exv152]

Does anyone know if calcium nitrate (caNO3) will also raise ph?

Yes. Ca will definitely have an effect on the alkalinity.

[angelcraze]

Yes. Ca will definitely have an effect on the alkalinity.

Thanks, I guess if I use it I will add it sparingly.

[dpatte]

i had a tank that for the longest time had symptoms that I attributed to calcium deficiency. My plants leaves just didnt seem right.

As it turns out, i was underfeeding a tank with a pleco, and when he didn't have enough algae or other food to graze on, he was munching my plants. The other fish were getting enough, but he was shy and by the time he came out for dinner, nothing was left. I increased the food available for him, and the plants recovered quite quickly.

[angelcraze]

I also had an issue I believe with my congo tetras eating my plants, I added veg to their diet and the plants recovered also.  I added calcium-rich vegetables for my ramshorns as well.

The other fish were getting enough, but he was shy and by the time he came out for dinner, nothing was left. I increased the food available for him, and the plants recovered quite quickly.

I guess feeding him an algae wafer right before the lights go out would help too.