High Alk and Ca

[AJ69]

Need real help here.

Tank is 75gal
Running for almost 2 years.
Corals/ Fish ( Shrooms/lps/rics/zoos/GSP/Xenias )

Last results from test(Salifert).

KH-40
Alk-14
Ca-700
How do I fix this huge problem. (ASAP)?

Thanks for the help.
AJ

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

How are you supplementing calcium and alkalinity? I'd add nothing and let the values come down on their own.

What is the pH?

This article has more:

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

 

[AJ69]

I was doing this:
Kalkwasser(drip mode)
Test kits are Salifert(expiration 2008)


*Seachem reef builder
*Seachem Advantage Ca
1/2 tsp on 1gal water twice a week,then switching every other week.(a week with reef builder then the other week Advantage Calcium the next week)
*water changes 10% every other week
*ph range between 7.8-8.0

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

I'd stop the Reef builder and Advantage Calcium. Maintain some limewater to keep the pH up, and let the calcium and alkalinity levels decline.

What salt mix?

 

[AJ69]

Salt> IO
SG is always 1.025/.026 (refract)
Should I do a massive water change? ( 50% )
Limewater you meant a kalk drip?
Thanks
AJ

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Kalkwasser is the german word for limewater, yes. I would keep doing that.

I'd have to say that I'm also skeptical about the calcium and alkalinity values, especially alkalinity.
Can you test the IO with the same kits and methods and see what you get?

 

[AJ69]

Randy,
I ran the test in 3 different places(2 friends and a LFS) with same or real close results.Also I added to colonies of SPS last week and lost them in a week period(bleached),I have never being able to keep sps.
results from IO :
ALK-4.5
KH-12.8
Ca-270
Should I do a water change?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

I don't understand how the values got to where they are, or why they are not declining rapidly, but a water change is a fine idea.

 

[AJ69]

Water change like a 20%?
Should I do that amount twice a week,until it reach the expected results?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

It will take quite a few 20% changes to bring those levels down.

What is in the tank now?

 

[AJ69]

Rics,shrooms, lps,gsp,xenia,toadstool,zoos, yellow fiji coral,clams,anemones and fish.Like 120#s lr and barebottom system no sump.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

OK, then I probably would not do massive water changes. It will be a slow affair with 20% changes, however.

 

[AJ69]

Thanks so much for the help,I'll keep you post it.About the water change,should I do one every week (20%) and test water on a 24hr cycle after adding the water?
Thanks

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

That sounds like a fine plan.

Good luck.