My calcium is at 600ppm

davjbeas

Member
HI, I finally got my pinpoint calcium monitor working and got a reading of 590-610ppm of calcium.
I have been using b-ionic 2 part additive 30ml of each part every day.
my system is about 80 gallons(MIXED REEF)
under 2x250watt 10K bulbs and T5 actinics
I tested my alkalinity at 6.9 KH
My Ph is 8.28-8.32
Salinity at 1.026 temperature at 80 degrees
I dose kent marine supplements of the following
30ml per week iodine, strontium/molybdenum, iron, magnesium
i also run carbon changed every month in canister filter.
ALL water used is deioniozed. the salt is reef crystals(same as instant ocean but with extra elements)

my question is, is the magnesium slowing the rate of calcium being used biologicaly(coraline/coral skeleton)
Should i test my magnesium levels?
i know the alkalinity is too low. maybe i should hold off on the calcium(part-B) of the suplement, and double the alkalinity(part a) until levels settle to the recoomended range.
I plan to do a 20 gallon water change tommorow.

nothing is wrong with the tank, everything is doing great. the low alkalinity/ high calcium has me worried.

Any input is welcome,

David B.
 
Note that the Pinpoint calcium probe is very temperature sensitive:

Electronic Calcium Monitoring
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-04/rhf/index.htm


What salt mix are you using? Some, like Oceanic, have excessive calcium in them.


my question is, is the magnesium slowing the rate of calcium being used biologicaly(coraline/coral skeleton)
Should i test my magnesium levels?


It is fine to test, but I see no reason to suspect it is off.


I would not change water until you measure calcium in the new salt mix.

I'd personally stop the iodine and strontium dosing.
 
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You should also note that the higher the salinity the higher the calcium level ... some calcium rich salt mixtures such as Oceanic may give you that high of a reading at that SG with no additives.
 
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