Calcium-Ak out of wack

[sparky0028]

I have been adding Kent A and B Calcium supplement once a week for about 3 weeks, my sg is 1.025. PH 8.1, temp 80.4. My Ak is 3.89 (dkh 10.9)but my Calcium is way high at 640, is this abnormal or dangerous? Should I stop using the A & B or can I use just the alkalinity part? The tank is 100gals with 50lbs lr and 42 lbs base rock, tank running about 7 months:help:

 

[007]

what test kit are you using? at 640 I think that your tank would look like a snowglobe . . .

 

[sparky0028]

It is a Sera test. My friend used the same kit and he had the same results?

 

[beaslbob]

sparky: if your calcium is that high you should stop dosing calcium.

 

[squidd]

Yes, you can dose with just the Alk part until params come in line.

 

[sparky0028]

Kip
The only hard coral I have is a Green Tourch Coral (has about 9 stalks or heads) and have very little coraline , still waiting for it to spread.The lfs did not check for ca just the usual and you are right everyone is out of the salifert ca test. Also I am using Coralife salt which I believe is high in mag.
Bob if I stop dosing then my ak and dkh drop, can I just dose the aklanity part?

 

[beaslbob]

Originally posted by Sparky0028
...
Bob if I stop dosing then my ak and dkh drop, can I just dose the aklanity part?
As I understand the kits you have that is correct. if calc is low dose calc , then test alk and dose as per instructions. If calc is high don't dose calc but do the alk part. Please check the instructions and follow them as I do not dose calc or alk.

 

[jhead]

Dose only the parts that you need. They don't have to be used together.
If you can't find the CA test get the Strontium and use it like a CA test. The Strontium Kit tests for both CA and Strontium.
Salifert's printer didn't get boxes to them before they ran out. So they are using the Strontium boxes to ship them in. The boxes have a little sticker on the outside that says it a CA test kit and we are sorry about the wrong box.

 

[dburr]

Hold on....
These are used to maintain, not increase.
I would stop both. Kip said let your LFS check it, good advise.
If it is that high it will come down on it's own, even coraline will use it up. Instead of dosing part A, I would use baking soda to raise it.
Before anyone flames me

Read this .
This is the best info I have seen on this subject to date.
HTH, Dan

 

[sparky0028]

Thanks Kip and Dan,
I am still trying to get a salifert ca and mag test. The article mentions the use of washing soda if your ph is under 8.2 and baking soda if it is over 8.2, my ph is 8.1 should I use the washing soda? Also what are the idea levels of alk and ca, there are so many different opions?

 

[sparky0028]

Thanks agian for the info, so I understand this correctly, I use the baking soad to raise my dkh (now 10.9) to about 14. I wait for both the ca and dkh to come down to 440/11 then start back with the dosing of Kent A & B to keep them balanced?

 

[sparky0028]

I know it wont be that easy but at least I know I am on the right track. I will try at post results in a few days. Thanks for all your help

 

[sparky0028]

Kip
Once last thing- baking soda or washing soda?

 

[mikegray]

do u gotta drip the baking soda or do u just mix 1tsp 50gallons for 1kdh. so like if u have 120gallons of water after all displacement u mix 2tsp of baking soda in some water and pour in ur tank or u have to drip?