CAL and ALK high

[bobbbm]

ALK and Calcium both high... Calcium is around 560 and ALK is the top of the chart as well... all other levels are perfect. I only have one bubble coral in the tank... I did a 10% water change 2 days ago and I always use RO.


Should I be concerned>?

 

[Spracklcat]

What kind of salt are you using?

 

[jdieck]

How did it get that high? Did you added supplements, limewater, Ca reactor?
If you did not added any supplementation verify your testing just in case. If you supplemented then just stop the addition until the levels come back down by themselves

 

[bobbbm]

No have never added anything.... Ive always used IO Except for one bag of Red Sea...I tested 2 more times with the same results... both tests were bought at different times.

 

[jdieck]

It could not come from the salt at those levels but got to come from somewhere. If you are using RO what is the TDS of it? I will recommend to take a sample of the tank water to the LFS for testing just in case your kits are off.
Also test a batch of new mixed water just to discard the possibility you got a salt mix off specifications.

 

[fishome25]

i know most people test test test. but I would never believe a calcium test kit, they always gave me impossible readings.

 

[xhaust50]

Do you use crushed coral as a substrate? Possibly the calcium from that in the addition to that in your salt is causing a spike?

 

[bobbbm]

no I use sand....

 

[Justjoe]

What test kits are you using?
New Salifert Ca and Alk test kits have tested well against more "technical" testing methods.
What is your salinity?
Joe

 

[bobbbm]

Salinity 1.025 Using a Refractometer

Using Salifert test kit


Retested this morning same results, I guess ill go bu new kits.

 

[rtecanoe]

I'm thinking maybe you're using the salifert test kit wrong, until you're used to using them they can be a little confusing. On the final step, you pull the plunger down so that the black ring is at the 1 mark, not the liquid. There is supposed to be some air in the plunger above the black ring. You may want to double check the directions before you buy new kits, they're not cheap!

 

[bobbbm]

Ohh I did that the first time....but now I am sure I am using it correctly. There is an air gap at the top.

 

[jnfallon]

has the refractomer been calibrated recently?