Calcium Levels HIGH

scales1

scales1

Member
:notsure:
Anyone....
I am looking for a way to lower my calcium levels in my tank. After testing the tank water the calcium was at 625. I then decided to test a 5 gal container that i mixed up to see what the calcium levels were in the water that I was doing the water changes with. This water tested at 600. So I am now wondering what steps to take to lower the calcium. I stopped adding calcium buffer to the water some time ago, and the only additives that i currently add are DT Phytoplanton, and Marineland Reef Solution. I add the DT's about twice a week and the Reef Solution about twice a week as well. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. :help:
Thank You,
Scales.
 
stonynut

stonynut

Member
i see... reason i asked... oceanic is known for high Ca and has been getting worse lately.
are you using RO/DI water?
whats the calcium level of your fresh water before adding salt?
 
scales1

scales1

Member
I do use a RO/DI unit for the saltwater made up. I have not tested the calcium levels of the water before adding the salt. I will have to do that tonight to see what the result are.
Do you know whether adding Magnesium to the tank would help in lowering the Calcium levels?
 
stonynut

stonynut

Member
if you are using RO/DI i wouldnt worry about Ca in it unless the filters are really old
adding magnesium allows water to hold more Ca
2 options: if you have a decent coral load with a good Ca demand.. then let it fall naturally
.... or... do water changes with a salt of less Ca like instant ocean.
there is a 3rd option, but it is dangerous as it involves playing with fire (adding carbonate to precip Ca)
whats your dkh/alk?
 
bang guy

bang guy

Moderator
Originally Posted by scales1
Do you know whether adding Magnesium to the tank would help in lowering the Calcium levels?
No it would not.
Coralife is not known for having high Calcium. I wouldn't rule out a bad test kit.
If the test kit is good then you got a bad batch of salt. I don't see a problem here though.
What is the Alkalinity?
 
scales1

scales1

Member
It is possible that the test kit may be bad, but the signs in my tank would indicate that the calcium levels would be high. My live rock has been losing its coraline algea and all of my polyp corals don't seem to be spreading at all. I will list the contenence of my tank below. The tank has be up and running for just over a year now.Tank = 75gal
Lights = 500watts MH 14k Double Ended about 4inches off the water.
Life Reef Sump and Skimmer along with a Pacific Coast chiller.
Live Rock = 85lbs
Fish = 2 fourline wrasse, yellow tang, royal gamma, and spotted mandrid.
Corals = Pagoda Cup, Open Brain, 2 Plates, Yellow Polyps, Green Star Polyps, Candy Cane, Elegance, Pineapple Moon Coral, Frog Spawn, Green hammer, small Xenia, red and orange zoos. I also have a Rock Flower Anemone.
Inverts = Several Astrea's and Red legged hermit crabs.
Most of the corals are small with the exception of the Elegence coral. So I may not be getting much of the Calcium absorbed.
I have not test the Alkalinity yet, and will test it tonight and post the results.
I did test the PH at 8.2
 
scales1

scales1

Member
here are the test results as of this evening.
Amonia = 0
Nitrate = 0
Nitrite = 0
PH = 8.2
I thought that I had an Alkalinity test kit, but couldn't find one. I am guessing that the Alk would show to be low since the Calcium levels are so high. I did order an Alk test kit today along with a new Calcium test kit incase the Calcium test kit i have is bad. I also tested the water before adding the salt to see what the Calcium levels were, and they came back at 30ppm.
 
stonynut

stonynut

Member
if you are using an RO/DI unit and getting 30ppm outta that water, then I'd say your ro unit needs some attention.
i dont know what size system we are talking about here... but say you are topping off 1 gal of water every day for evaporation. that means everyday you are adding 30ppm water to your system. if your tank cant use Ca that fast, then Ca will increase.
before you get all worried about that, I'd get the new tests in... run 'em and go from there.
 
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