Calcium Is High!

[Hentz]

So I used to dose Calcium, and stopped due to my calcium being high.
Using API, I said hell, that's the reason. Sure enough, my Sailfert says it's off the charts too. Before I switch my lights to led from t5, everything was great even with high calcium. Now my corals are looking a little iffy. My tank is mostly SPS dominant. How do I get it down?

About to do a water change. I do 1.026 salinity via Kent Marine

Params:
Nitrate: Undetectable
Phosphate: Undetectable
Alkalinity: 9
Calcium: 520+ via API/Sailfert

 

[Jettareefer]

I have kept my calcium this high along with my mag being 1400-1500 for 6 months with fast growth nothing seems to be affected my colors aren't as bright. Also testing with API for calcium only everything else is test by Hanna or salifert. I would just let your corals soak up the calcium and check you fresh mixed saltwater before you add it to the tank. When Kent's mix 1.026 the calcium is 500+ but I could be wrong.

 

[Hentz]

Hmm weird. Idk!

Had my LFS read it, I'm at 540!

 

[ajcanale]

The more important factor here is where your alkalinity is at, 9. 9dkh ideally balances with around 450ppm calcium. You dose calcium based on the knowledge or assumption that it is being used. When calcium is used, alkalinity is as well. Considering that there is a much higher concentration of calcium in sea water, in comparison to alkalinity, it maintains much more stable levels. This is why you always hear of alk swings, rather than calcium.

What I'm getting at here is that you need to be paying more attention to alk rather than calcium, and if you are dosing calcium, you absolutely need to dose alk as well.

In the mean time slowly dose and monitor alkalinity, until calcium falls into the 430-450 range. HTH

 

[Hentz]

The more important factor here is where your alkalinity is at, 9. 9dkh ideally balances with around 450ppm calcium. You dose calcium based on the knowledge or assumption that it is being used. When calcium is used, alkalinity is as well. Considering that there is a much higher concentration of calcium in sea water, in comparison to alkalinity, it maintains much more stable levels. This is why you always hear of alk swings, rather than calcium.

What I'm getting at here is that you need to be paying more attention to alk rather than calcium, and if you are dosing calcium, you absolutely need to dose alk as well.

In the mean time slowly dose and monitor alkalinity, until calcium falls into the 430-450 range. HTH

Very well point, I completely spaced that.

What would you recon for Alk dosing? I've used Red Sea Alk in the past.

 

[ajcanale]

Very well point, I completely spaced that.

What would you recon for Alk dosing? I've used Red Sea Alk in the past.

It's as easy as using Baking Soda disolved in ro/di. There is a lot of info out there on dosing this method based on your demands.

 

[kevin_e]

I think a much better idea to lower calcium is to do water chnages, not dose alk.

 

[ajcanale]

I think a much better idea to lower calcium is to do water chnages, not dose alk.

First, the recomendation was to dose alk (in general), specifically as calcium level falls into normal range. This does not mean "dose alk to lower calcium"

Second, support your theory to why water changes would be practical.

Major waste of salt IMO.

 

[jda]

If you want to keep the calcium down, you are gonna have to drop the kent salt for a different brand. It will likely always mix over 500.

 

[lynchmob3000]

I would do a wc just bc theres no way that your tank is stable with those numbers. it will lower your ca but not much. then i would dose alk slowly in hopes that your ca will dissipate out. Really depends on your demand which sounds like its next to nothing considering you havent had or never have dosed alk. i would also check and see if your refractor is calibrated correctly. Its possible your mixing your salts a little high also

 

[Hentz]

My tank is pretty full of SPS. I've probably got a little over 35 pieces ranging from 2" frags to softball size colonies. My calcium usage is probably decent.

I've dosed Alk prior, using Red Sea as I have stated above.

 

[lynchmob3000]

I've dosed Alk prior, using Red Sea as I have stated above.

I don't pick up what your putting down. your talking like oh yah I used to dose alk, now I just dose ca and it's too high.

If i didn't dose any alk overnight in my sps 90 gallon I would be sad as hell in the am..