Calcium Still High

[ackermsb]

I am still having a high calcium problem. I have down about 4 10% water changes in my 180 and will continue to so but it seems to be having very little effect on the calcium levels. Ph is fine and havent tested Alk in a few days. This is has been high as well.
Calc is around 520 ppm. Is it possible that since it is fish and invert only right now I have nothing in the tank which is using up the calcium. I also have a very poor lighting system (soon to be upgraded) which may be another factor (who knows). I also do not have a protein skimmer hooked up yet (Again dont know if this could contribute).
Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.
Scott

 

[reefnut]

What kind of water are you using? Have you tested that water for calcium? That's all I can think of...

 

[ackermsb]

Originally posted by ReefNut
What kind of water are you using?
I am using RO/DI water. However, I initially filled the tank up with tap water. I suppose I should test that tonight.
Weird huh?

 

[beaslbob]

Calcium in my tap water is about 50 ppm or so. So I do not think tap was the source. Do you have any coral? Either decorations or substrait? Could be initial coral dust caused the high calcium levels.
Seems like everything is fine. System could be just waiting from some corraline algae to use up that calcium. And that could be a very good thing. So as long as alk and ph are fine and you are not getting preciptate, I think things are fine. Betch ya calcium will come down as the system runs and matures.

 

[reefnut]

Calcium in my tap water is about 50 ppm or so.
So do you have the same tap water as ackermsb.

 

[ackermsb]

I dont have any corals yet. As soon as I upgrade my lights I will get some. This is a long term process and I am moving very slowly. However, I feel that when I do get corals, they will take full advantage of the higher calcium levels and the tank will balance out.

 

[beaslbob]

Originally posted by ReefNut
Calcium in my tap water is about 50 ppm or so.
So do you have the same tap water as ackermsb.
1) i don't think my tap is all that unusual so probably yes.
2) my real point which I did not directly expressed was that calcium levels that high would probably a) exceed any standards for human consumption and b) be a danger to humans. I highly suspect there are other sources for the high calcium. Therefore, RO/DI water would have not prevented these high calcium levels.

 

[beaslbob]

Originally posted by ackermsb
I dont have any corals yet. As soon as I upgrade my lights I will get some. This is a long term process and I am moving very slowly. However, I feel that when I do get corals, they will take full advantage of the higher calcium levels and the tank will balance out.
Yes I agree.
What i meant by coral was did you add a Crushed coral substrait or coral decorations? I just thought the calcium might have come for those.

 

[reefnut]

ackermsb, I'm sure your aware of Mr. Bob's non-understanding of water quality so I wont go into detail on that but...
Have you tried a different test kit? A calcium level that high is something to be concerned with because you do not want it to start precipitating.
I would double check your readings with a new test kit. What kit are you using now?