Calcium for Dummies
As a reefkeeper over the past 12 years or so, I found the topic of calcium additions to be one of the most challenging and confusing to learn and master. I found a large body of information available, and many, many products that made claims to help increase and maintain calcium levels in the aquarium. Unfortunately, some of it was conflictual and most of it was very difficult for me to understand. So, I write this article with the intent of helping other hobbyist to learn what I’ve learned regarding calcium additions to the marine aquarium reef tank. Let me begin by saying that I am not a chemist. Indeed, (and this may become obvious), I have not even attended a chemistry class of any kind. This is a distinct weakness in that my understanding of the complex chemical interactions involved in water parameters for the reef aquarium has been slow to advance, and is still far from complete. However, it may be a strength in that I may be able to explain, in layman’s terms, some important concepts involved in the use of calcium in the reef tank. To those of you who are more chemically knowledgeable, I apologize for my overly simplistic terms and descriptions. To those of you just learning these concepts, I hope I can be of some help. It is my intent to use plain language, as much as is possible, so that even the newest of hobbyist can use this information in deciding how to add calcium to their own system.
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