Calcium way high /alk low

[Elmareefer]

So my calcium’s been right around 425 and my alk was at 8.9
Been pretty steady
My ph has been 7.7 in the am and 8.1 at the end of the day

I added a BRS basic Co2 scrubber to increase the ph

Well it did to 8-8.3 am/pm

However my calcium’s 490 and my alk is 8

That scrubber was the only thing I changed

What should I do?

 

[Uncle99]

So my calcium’s been right around 425 and my alk was at 8.9
Been pretty steady
My ph has been 7.7 in the am and 8.1 at the end of the day

I added a BRS basic Co2 scrubber to increase the ph

Well it did to 8-8.3 am/pm

However my calcium’s 490 and my alk is 8

That scrubber was the only thing I changed

What should I do?

Do nothing.
Retest CA and Alk over several days to establish the trend.
If it’s flat, and everyone is happy, I might not touch anything.

 

[Elmareefer]

Do nothing.
Retest CA and Alk over several days to establish the trend.
If it’s flat, and everyone is happy, I might not touch anything.

Even with a 490 calc and low alk?

They were perfect then I added that co2 scrubber to my skimmer

Should I dose part 1 of bionic to boost the alk?

 

[griss]

might want to mix up a fresh/small batch of saltwater and test it to make sure you don’t have a bad batch of salt. I’ve had that happen.

Also, I keep my salt in buckets and periodically roll the buckets around to keep the salt from settling.

 

[Uncle99]

Even with a 490 calc and low alk?

They were perfect then I added that co2 scrubber to my skimmer

Should I dose part 1 of bionic to boost the alk

I’m running 480ppm for 7 years with 8 Alk, 8 not low to me, but it’s super stable, maybe a flux of 2ppm, plus or minus, throughout the day.

It’s Alk I don’t want fluxing, CA, I’m ok with up to 500ppm provided it’s not increasing north of that and everyone seems happy.

You’ve made a change in PH, let it be and test to determine what chemistry now runs at. If everything holds, then leave it.

 

[Elmareefer]

Well
I’ve done nothing and my calc is reading at 500 !!!

alk 9.2 ph 8.1(am). Phosphate 0
34ppt nitrate 15

I’m not dosing any buffers at all since I posted this. I do 10% water changes every 7-8 days using red seas blue bucket and 5 stage RODI

Temp is 78

Like I said the only thing I changed was adding a BRS co2 scrubber to my small I’m protein skimmer air line

Thoughts?

 

[griss]

A couple things. Try testing it with a different test kit. Sometimes you get a bad kit.

As I mentioned above, I’ve gotten bad batches of salt in the past with super high Ca and low Alk. Mix a small batch of new water and test it to rule out a bad batch of salt

 

[Elmareefer]

So I mixed up a new batch of saltwater
New bucket too. Calcium is reading right at 450
Same test kit
For some reason my calcium isn’t being used like it once was
If I unplug the co2 scrubber from the skimmer hose it goes back down to 440 ish
I just don’t want my ph to be reading 7.7-8.1 so I leave the scrubber on

 

[griss]

Hmmm, that’s weird. Are you dosing calcium, kalk or similar?

What is your Mg? Magnesium helps balance Alk/Ca.

 

[Elmareefer]

I’m not dosing anything
I have magnesium test kit coming this week

Have no clue why that co2 scrubber would affect calcium

 

[wvned]

Basic chemistry
CO2 dissolved in water forms carbonic acid.
Carbonic acid (H₂CO₃) is a weak acid formed when carbon dioxide (CO₂) dissolves in water. It plays important roles in the carbon cycle, helps regulate pH in natural waters, and is commonly found in carbonated beverages.

So scrubbing the air for the skimmer or connecting it to outside air stops the formation of an acid in the system.
This affects the pH which is an indication of the acid/base balance in your water. The pH goes up and shifts to a higher base balance

Acids are substances that release hydrogen ions (H⁺) when dissolved in water, while bases are substances that accept hydrogen ions or release hydroxide ions (OH⁻). The pH scale helps distinguish them, with acids having a pH below 7 and bases above 7.

The calcium and alkalinity in a marine tank reacts with the carbonic acid just like baking soda does with vinegar (acetic acid). So it is slowly removed.

Often air in a home has a much higher level of CO2 than is found in open air.

 

[Elmareefer]

Sooo,, do I decide to have balanced calcium/alk but lower ph?

 

[wvned]

Let it go and I suspect it will correct itself over time.
High Ca will not hurt anything. Yours isnt way high, just a little high.

 

[Elmareefer]

Let it go and I suspect it will correct itself over time.
High Ca will not hurt anything. Yours isnt way high, just a little high.

Thanks