Calcium Help....

[gemmy]

I have this funny feeling that my calcium is off. What is a good calcium test kit to use? What is a good way to raise it without a reactor?

 

[ibew41]

b-ionic 2 part is what I use for testing I use salifert

 

[gemmy]

Hmmmm...
I just tested these:
PH: 8.3
Alkalinity: 5 meq/L (I think)

 

[snakeblitz33]

I assume you have API test for calcium?
5 mEq/L is what, 11-12 dKH? I can't do the conversion in my head. If its 10dKH then ca should be 420ppm.
I use Randy's two part for my tank. I'm having some issues as you know. But it's not the solutions I mixed up.
Another way to increase alk and ca at the same time is to drip kalkwasser. I've done that for years.

 

[gemmy]

I don't have a calcium test. Apparently, it disappeared along with some other stuff. I'm going to order some new kits. I just have a feeling that something is not right. It could be my new salt, but I think my LPS is eating up my calcium.

 

[bang guy]

5 Meq/L = 17.5 dKH
Double check your Alkalinity. If it's accurate then this is why Calcium would be low. What are you dosing to get it so high?

 

[snakeblitz33]

If you want accuracy, get a salifert or a seachem test. I believe they are both titration tests and are very accurate. Worth the money if you are going to test a lot.
If your ca and alkalinity are almost impossible to balance, you should test your magnesium and get it up to 1350-1400ppm. I'd use mg chloride instead of mg sulfate though. Even though sulphate is cheaper.
Keep in mind that if you are adding a lot of chloride to your system, your salinity will go up but the sodium content will stay the same. Imbalances happen if you don't do regular water changes.
If you use a two part solution in your dt to maintain ca, alk and mg,... You should also buffer your new salt water if it needs it to make sure it's as close to your display tank ca and alk as possible too.

 

[snakeblitz33]

5 Meq/L = 17.5 dKH
Double check your Alkalinity.  If it's accurate then this is why Calcium would be low.  What are you dosing to get it so high?
Wow. That is high. Yeah, you can tell I only use dKH. Lol.

 

[gemmy]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Bang Guy http:///t/391647/calcium-help#post_3474605
5 Meq/L = 17.5 dKH
Double check your Alkalinity. If it's accurate then this is why Calcium would be low. What are you dosing to get it so high?
I don't dose. I think it might be user error....I just reran the test and got 4.5 meq/l. I am using seachem and ran the reference test.
The only thing I can come up with is the new salt I've been using. I switched to D&D H20.

 

[gemmy]

Ordered calcium and magnesium kits. I also got a new Seachem basic kit. I just know something is not right in my tank. I'm going to do a water change when I get the kits. I want to test my water change water to see how it tests.

 

[bang guy]

Mix up a small batch of saltwater and test Alkalinity. If it ready above 4 Meq/L then you may have a bad batch of salt. Calcium just cannot stay in solution at that temp & PH with that much carbonate in the water.

 

[gemmy]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Bang Guy http:///t/391647/calcium-help#post_3474659
Mix up a small batch of saltwater and test Alkalinity. If it ready above 4 Meq/L then you may have a bad batch of salt. Calcium just cannot stay in solution at that temp & PH with that much carbonate in the water.
Well, I just tested the a small batch of fresh saltwater. The alkalinity was 7.5 Meq/L.

I tested twice and got the same number. I guess the good news is that I caught this issue before my next water change. I'm going to make a batch of the RC and test that. Should I do anything else other than water changes with a good batch of salt?

 

[gemmy]

Also, I did a quick search on the other site and some other people had issues with the salt as well (low magnesium, high alkalinity). Now, some people had issues with the salt settling. I know this should not be the case for me. I rolled my bucket across the floor for about 5-10 minutes.

 

[bang guy]

I would recommend a series of small water changes. This is not a problem you want to fix all at once. Space 4 or 5 10% water changes out over a couple weeks.

 

[gemmy]

I'm sooo confused. EVERYTHING is testing high. Magnesium, calcium, alkalinity. I'm using sea chem tests. Should I try something else?

 

[gemmy]

It is possible that my calcium test kit that I just got is bad. I will run the reference test later.

 

[snakeblitz33]

Run reference tests on everything- ca, alk, mg and then test a gallon of nsw. Then test your tank water.

 

[gemmy]

Quote:
Originally Posted by SnakeBlitz33 http:///t/391647/calcium-help#post_3475549
Run reference tests on everything- ca, alk, mg and then test a gallon of nsw. Then test your tank water.
I plan on it. I might check with a couple of stores near me and see what they use when they test water. If I approve of their testing method, I might give them the honor of testing my water.

 

[snakeblitz33]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Gemmy http:///t/391647/calcium-help#post_3475555
I plan on it. I might check with a couple of stores near me and see what they use when they test water. If I approve of their testing method, I might give them the honor of testing my water.
LOL, good luck!!

 

[gemmy]

OK, I finally have enough time to test my water and rerun the tests as necessary. I hope they make more sense than the other day. If not, I'm going to order different kits.