Calcium overload

[mkp523]

I've been talking with an acquaintance with her tank lately and she has been having trouble maintaining proper Ca levels. It tested somewhere between 700-800ppm! All other tests came out to be on target or just a hair off. What can we do to lower it at a safe rate? Water changes would be my first guess. How often and how much of a water change should be implemented? I've heard coralife salt mix contains quite a bit of calcium, is this true? If so, which brand salt mix skimps on the Ca?

The calcium became so high due to overdosing. She has some kind of automatic dosing system, can't remember off hand. She said she stopped dosing nearly two months ago and Ca levels are not dropping readily, even with weekly water changes.

Is there any other way that can contribute to stabalizing Ca levels? Besides that, out of curiousity, what kind of effects can high calcium have on a reef tank?

Thanks,
Mark

 

[bertoni]

I would just wait for the Ca to fall on its own, and make sure that happens. That level is not really causing any problems other than perhaps more alkalinity consumption.

She should also check some freshly-mixed saltwater. Some salt brands run high in Ca, and that might be the issue. I don't know about CoraLife. Instant Ocean tends to run a bit low in Ca, but is a fine product.

Using a product like B-Ionic or dosing limewater tends to keep these problems under control. What is she dosing now?