crazy high calcium

[Johnson7]

My calcium is reading well over 600, I tested with two different test kits but I stopped titrating after 600 because I didn't want to waste any more part 2 of the kits. I have done water changes but it isn't going down. My alk is 11.4, but my pH is low at 7.9. What can I do? I'm not dosing with anything.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

What salt mix? Some have excessive calciuum in them (like Oceanic). Have you measured the salt mix?

I'd look to get a real calcium reading before deciding what to do. use half as much tank water for the test and then double the value at the end, if you want to save on test reagent.

 

[Johnson7]

I'm using Oceanic Natural Sea Salt. I haven't tested the salt mix yet, but I will do that next. Good call on the testing method, never thought of that. I'll let you kow the real calcium level.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

The salt mix may be the primary source, in which case water changes will not help. Let us know what you find.

 

[Johnson7]

So about that real reading... 900 is the unlucky number. Also, I just got a Hagen alk test kit, do you know how to convert mg/L CaCO3 to dKH?

 

[rrome]

Is it possible to high Ca that high without it crashing out? The test kit may be suspect...

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

I agree that the kit may be suspect, unless you have added a lot of calcium. Even Oceanic is not usually that high.

For alkalinity conversion, 1 meq/L = 2.8 dKH = 50 ppm CaCO3 equivalents

These articles have more on that conversion:

The Units of Measure of Reefkeeping
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-08/rhf/index.php


What is Alkalinity
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/feb2002/chemistry.htm

 

[Johnson7]

Is there any way to get the calcium down since all I have is Oceanic salt that is high in calcium to begin with? How high does the calcium level have to be to crash a tank?

 

[Johnson7]

I just checked my calcium again and, like before, it is over 700. Help!!!! btw I haven't been dosing with anything although I did add one dose of Kent Coral Vite about two weeks ago, but that was it.

 

[rrome]

I would do either of these things:

1) Go to your LFS and ask to test the Ca in their display tank using your kit. If the reading is very high, there is your problem.

2) Buy a new test kit (I recommend Salifert) test their water, then test yours at home (or take a sample and test it in the store.

 

[Johnson7]

Is there anyway to get the reading down if my calcium really is that high? I will go to my LFS, I just want to have some options or alternative if there really is a problem.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

If the calcium is really that high, the choices are water changes with normal to low calcium mixes (like IO), or to just keep supplementing only alkalinity and let the calcium drop over time as organisms use it.

This article has more info:


Solving Calcium and Alkalinity Problems
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/nov2002/chem.htm

 

[Johnson7]

Thanks for the help Randy, I never used the chem forum before but now I'm a believer. BTW, you REALLY over did it with your resume - we get it, you're a genius :lol:

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

You're welcome and thanks.

Happy reefing.

 

[rrome]

So, what's the story? was it really that high?