Calcium Too High

[marino6t9]

After a few top-offs for the past 3 weeks, my calcium went down from 650 to 500 and it appears that it's settled there co'z i did a few more top offs after it reached that level but doesn't go down anymore. Any suggestions other than SPS', CLAMS (LIVESTOCK) coz i know they eat up a lot of calcium.

 

[ming]

If it doesn't go down anymore, you'll never need to add anymore calcium to your tank :lol:

But if you dont have any SPS or clams, then nothing is really absorbing the calcium so it wouldn't really go down. It probably went down before because it was precipitating

 

[barebucta]

i'm guessing you're using Oceanic salt?

 

[jackson6745]

What is your Alk? How old is your tank?

 

[Tonyscoots84]

What is your Alk? How old is your tank?

in addition to wat rich said what is ur magnesium level as well?

 

[marino6t9]

magnesium and alkalinity are perfect. only problem is my calcium. well i guess i really need sps' and clams then huh. i am now thinking that it has something to do with our water in the area which is well water. TDS w/o ro unit ranges from 650 to 700 ppm which i am now starting to believe that it has something to do with my calcium level because well water is very rich in minerals.

 

[pnoyreefer]

must be the " ulo of the Kambing " hehehe.....Sup Marino!! When you're ready you know where to go =)...

 

[Deanos]

magnesium and alkalinity are perfect. only problem is my calcium.

I'd be surprised if they were perfect, especially with calcium that high. It's rarely the case that calcium is the only problem, since those parameters are so closely linked. What are your magnesium and alkalinity levels, as well as your pH?

 

[marino6t9]

i guess i surprised you then. btw i am using salifert test kits and i just tested my parameters again and only the calcium like i said is the problem.

 

[Deanos]

Ok. But what were the readings?

 

[marino6t9]

ok here it is.........:

ph is 8.2
mag is 1440ppm
alk 8.00 dkh
sal 1.022

 

[Deanos]

Solving Calcium and Alkalinity Problems

 

[Tonyscoots84]

alk is a lil low (most tend to keep it within 10-11 dkh)
mag is a lil high (most tend to keep it within 1350 ppm)
salinity is low (most tend to keep it within 1.026)
ph is ok at 8.2... i like to keep mine at 8.3-8.4

the levels i have said are pretty much perfect....

 

[herman]

Like you said, your calcium is too high
When adding the alk and calcium they need to be added in equal doses. In your case the calcium was added in higher doses leading to your current problem.

There are two ways to correct this

1: massive water changes - no fun
2. raise your alk on the higher side of the scale to about 11dkh and the issue will correct itself over a short time.

As long as your alk levels are substantially lower your problems will persist.

How do you dose anyway? Is it 2 part, calcium reactor or a premade supplement?

 

[marino6t9]

thing is i don't even dose...guess i really have to do frequent water changes. thanks guys.

 

[meschaefer]

You don't mention that you are having problems. Just because it doesn't fall within the expected/accepted range doesn't mean you need to do anything about it.

Look at the amount of people on this board who have supposidly high nitrates or low PH and yet have great looking tanks.

 

[junglebase]

Look at the amount of people on this board who have supposidly high nitrates or low PH and yet have great looking tanks.

Any guys fall into this category? specially the High Nitrates and have great looking tanks?

 

[Deanos]

Any guys fall into this category? specially the High Nitrates and have great looking tanks?

Cali-reef

 

[partobe]

I used oceanic salt up untill a month ago and my calc is still at 500. Needless to say I will never use it again

 

[meschaefer]

Any guys fall into this category? specially the High Nitrates and have great looking tanks?

Cali Reef was specifically who I was thinking of, but there are others out there on this site and on RC.