Calcium Questions

[jbaty]

What would make Calcium go from 440 to 380 in 24 hours?

Last night I tested the tank before I fed a new batch of phyto and the parm were
Alk: 3.0
Ca: 440
Nitrate: 0
Nitrite: 0
Am:0
Phos: 0
PH 8.2
Dkh 9.0
Salinity 1.024


The tank is mostly a softies tank and just added a sps frag (about 2 inches in size) sunday. Started running Carbon this evening after testing to protect the sps.

This evening before I started the carbon was as follows:

Alk: 3.0
Ca: 380
Nitrate: 0
Nitrite: 0
Am:0
Phos: 0
PH 8.2
Dkh 7.0
Salinity 1.024

 

[usmc121581]

Your alk seems a little on the low end to. I also notice that you dont test or havent tested for MAG. MAgnessuim keeps the Cal and alkality stable. Also what is your calcuim demand like. Do you have alot of SPS corals, how often do you dose your tank, do water changes. I would definatly get the MAG tested first.

 

[demonsp]

Also testing in the morning is best for more accurate readings.

 

[usmc121581]

My best times are afternoon. I get low readings in the morning.

 

[jbaty]

I do have a mag test. I will test it real quick and brb with the results.

As for the water changes, I do a 20g water change weekly.

I just have 1 SPS at the moment, it's a montipora digitalis (sp?) which is a 2" frag.

I've had the this tank up for about a year or so, and had mostly softies like colt corals and toadstool leathers... with some Zoo's and Pulsing Xenia.

I changed the lighting about a month or so ago from a 3x150w mh to a 3x250w mh setup so I could get into the SPS's...

 

[demonsp]

Readings will rise during the day and then level out at night.Morning readings are going to be the most accurate.

 

[jbaty]

I will keep that in mind for future reference.

I did just test the mag and it tested 1220. which according to the test kit is normal for the salinity being 1.024.

 

[demonsp]

Did you retest to be sure? Not really any calcium heavy coral.Seems like a big drop.I would also have LFS or friend test to check your readings.

 

[jbaty]

I did test the Mag twice to be sure. Also, tested the other results twice tonight. Only tested once last night since it was in line with the previous tests of the tank.

I have gotten back into the habit of testing twice a week since I did a restack of the LR back in early Dec... since I knew I would go through a small cycle. ( I had a Flame Angel that turned into the GSP destroyer or GSPD...so he had to go).

Speaking of which... I do have two small rocks with GSP's on them...sorry didn't think of that earlier...

 

[jbaty]

demonsp... I will take a sample to my lfs tomorrow when I get off work to see what they have to say...