KH/Alk, Magnesium, & Calcium all too high

[Eric55]

Hi,

My magnesium and calcium are too high to be "read" by Salifert test kits, and my KH/Alk is at 13.1. Magnesium is "over" the 1500 test limit and Calcium is "over" the 500 test limit. My pH is holding steady at 8.0.

Can anyone recommend ways that I can get these levels reduced?

Thanks, Eric

 

[oldsaltman]

Those are high readings. Are you sure of the test results? Did you test or the LFS? If you add nothing to the tank then those readings should drop on their own.

 

[bertoni]

You can use a second syringe to get the actual values. Just add the results from the syringes together. I would double-check the results before taking much action.

What, if anything, is being dosed into the tank? What salt is being used? Doing the tests on some freshly-mixed saltwater would be interesting.

Are any animals showing signs of trouble? If so, water changes should help, if the salt mix is okay.

This article discusses calcium-alkalinity problems:

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/nov2002/chem.htm