Calcium too high? And slow coral growth? (test results included)

[kilofey]

I dont know whats going on, my calcium is at 500ppm I do NOT dose calcium and I use instant ocean reef crystals. Some of my corals grow, but others, not much if any. My colt drops frags regularly, xenia that ive had for 3 weeks have already split and are growing new heads, mushrooms have gotten huge, my leather frags have doubled in size in roughly 6 months, my duncan has sprouted 4 heads in 5 months, BUT my zoas, frogspawn, & palys arent growing. Ive got like 8 different kinds of zoas and 3 different kinds of palys (just got one this week, so count that one out) but zoas are supposed to grow fast and they just arent. In the last 10 months, I can think of like 2 new polyps and im not even sure if those are new or just old ones that moved.
Tank stats:
-75 gal dt, 30 gal sump
-new lights 300w 15k kessil brand LED (just added this month) and 54w daylight t5
-old lights were 175w mh 14k and 108w t5, daylight and actanic (dont use any more)
-plenty of flow, dont remember the number, but its over 17x turn over
-reef octopus skimmer, rated for 100 gal but I cant get the darned thing tuned right. Ive gotten one collection cup full since I got it in october :flame:
-5 fish: 2 clowns, a well behaved coral beauty, purple fire fish (just finished qt 2 days ago), and a bar goby
Test results:
Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 20 (i know I know, im making water right now)
Calcium 500???
Ph-8.4
What on earth am I doing wrong, besides needing a water change. Why could it be that my calcium is high eventhough I dont dose it and why arent my corals growing (zoas and frogspawn in particular)

 

[kilofey]

Oh I forgot.....
Kh is 11, so thats ok
Sg is 1.026 so thats in range too

 

[btldreef]

Your Ca isn't terribly high, especially since your KH is also a little high for my taste at 11. Your numbers all even out if you look at the big picture. pH is on the high end, as well as alk, ca and salinity. I'd be interested to see your numbers if you brought your salinity down 1 or 2 points (test when you make new water). Personally, I don't like Reef Crystals. What is their recommended salinity?
IME, zoanthids do not like alk that high. You really don't have corals that are using a lot of Ca, so that could be part of the issue.
What test kits are you using by the way?

 

[kilofey]

I use api liquid tests. Reef crystals gives ratings for 1.021, 1.023 & 1.026. They say calcium is 450 @ 1.026sg
Whats the best sg to keep my tank at? ill bring my sg down a bit, would you reccomend making my new batch at 1.021 and doing say a 20gal wc on my 100 gal total water volume.
I actually plan to switch to seachem reef salt after I finish off the 4x 50gal bags I JUST BOUGHT *grrr*. Thats the best brand available near by and I havent heard many bad things about seachem products in general, from what I understand seachem makes your water more stable and gives some trace elements ect.
Soooo, basically what youre telling me is that I NEED some more corals? :-> oh the hubby is gonna love to hear me present my case on this one :laughing: soooo, in theroy... What are some good "calcium consuming corals"?
It sounds like since I make my water @ 1.025-1.026 every time, and if the corals arent eating the calcium, maybe its just building up? Makes sense. How does the alk become high?

 

[bang guy]

What's the water temperature? Does it stay consistent all day? Fluctuating temps can cause enzyme issues for most corals and will stunt their growth. The Palys are an exception, they should grow even under fluctuating temps as long as it gets warm enough.

 

[btldreef]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Kilofey http:///t/390757/calcium-too-high-and-slow-coral-growth-test-results-included#post_3462049
I use api liquid tests. Reef crystals gives ratings for 1.021, 1.023 & 1.026. They say calcium is 450 @ 1.026sg
Whats the best sg to keep my tank at? ill bring my sg down a bit, would you reccomend making my new batch at 1.021 and doing say a 20gal wc on my 100 gal total water volume.
I actually plan to switch to seachem reef salt after I finish off the 4x 50gal bags I JUST BOUGHT *grrr*. Thats the best brand available near by and I havent heard many bad things about seachem products in general, from what I understand seachem makes your water more stable and gives some trace elements ect.
Soooo, basically what youre telling me is that I NEED some more corals? :-> oh the hubby is gonna love to hear me present my case on this one

soooo, in theroy... What are some good "calcium consuming corals"?
It sounds like since I make my water @ 1.025-1.026 every time, and if the corals arent eating the calcium, maybe its just building up? Makes sense. How does the alk become high?
Honestly, I don't suggest you really do much at all. Your numbers are not terribly out of line. Personally, I like running my tank at 1.024-1.025 just because it leaves a little more room for error if there is a salinity spike, etc. Where your salinity is and what all your numbers read together is not terribly off, especially if testing with the API kits. You just don't really have anything that's consuming the alk and ca in your tank.
Bang Guy does bring up a good point, what is your temp and is it consistent?

 

[kilofey]

I broke my thermometer a few days ago cause I dropped the display thingy in the tank :flame: stupid fancy didgital thermometer.... I gotta buy my dog a cone for her head today ill pick up another one and keep track of the readings for a few days. I really cant even say if the temp of the tank stays stable, I usually just glance at it to see if my heaters working properly, as long as I dont see 80 degrees or above I really dont pay attention to the temp :-/ guess I should. If I find it does fluctuate, how should I fix the problem?

 

[bang guy]

80F is warm enough for Zoas they should be growing.
If you find the tank is 80F in the morning and 83F mid/late day then the answer is to set the heaters higher so it stays 83F all day.

 

[kilofey]

83 isnt too warm? Maybe my tank is too cold then. Cause I only make sure it isnt over 80. id guess my tank is usually 76 or so. Should I bump it up a bit?

 

[bang guy]

I think 80F is fine for most corals. The 17X turnover rate is adequate for up to 85F if you need to but there's little room for error at that temp and bad things happen faster the warmer you go. 76F seems cold to me for the types of coral you listed.
There are pictures of a Nano I kept a few years ago with growth progression. I maintained 85F - 86F in that tank until the contest was over and it had similar animals to your.

 

[kilofey]

Hmm, interesting, maybe ill try bumping the temp up a bit and see how they do... Cant start till tomorrow tho causle im such an idiot and forgot a thermometer while I was at the petstore today gaahhh! This is why I hate living in a rural area, its quite a drive if you forget something