Calcium what good is it?

[dindi]

I have a reading of 600! in one of my tanks, my 20 gal, I haven't added calcium for 1 month how does it get so high? I did a 20 % water change and it is still high. I have FL aqua-culterd live rock and 20lbs of black sand. Does the FL rock and black sand have loads of calcium? any help would be bonus

 

[broomer5]

What is your alkalinity and pH ?
Discussing calcium without discussing alkalinity and pH at the same time does not show the "whole" picture.
Can you post these other readings please ?

 

[dindi]

Hi Broomer, Alk is 8kH and ph is 8.3 all other readings are as follows. .05 trates, PO4 is high at .25salinity is 0.022 temp is 80 degrees 0 trite and 0 amm.

 

[dindi]

This my 20 gal, closed for business, cal are way high, please, please I need help

 

[richard rendos]

try a different calcium test kit.
if it still shows the same, it is probably actually even higher than that and the test kit won't go any higher.
it may take several water changes before the calcium comes down enough to test accurately.

 

[bang guy]

I second the advise of a few good water changes.
From now on be very very careful about adding Carbonate in the exact ration of 2:1 with Calcium. This was you problem. You cannot add only Calcium or you'll end up with a problem.

 

[dindi]

The only thing I added until I saw the calcium increase was Seachem buffer when water was changed (once weekly) and a measured amount of calcium for my tank size. I do added essential elements once a week. Would this cause the increase. I will most defenatley do another water change. My test kit is giving me different readings on my other tanks so I think it is fine. I use the Salifert test kit. Thanks so much for your help

 

[bang guy]

OK... if you're going to use Seachem buffer you will need an additional test kit.... Borate. Without that test kit there's no wat to know your carbonate level as long as you use Seachem. We NEED to know your carbonate level. You'll need to test your ALK and subtract the Borate to determine Carbonate.
However, it would be much easier to just stop the Borate additions (Seachem) and start using Carbonate additions instead.

 

[alti]

salifert calcium test kit only goes up to 500. just do a small water change and it should go down. stop adding too much calcium and you should be fine.

 

[dindi]

What is a good buffer. I also have the Kent ProBuffer but have never used it. The salifert test kit took I think it was 40 drops before it tuned "true blue" My other tanks are at 420 dKh

 

[bang guy]

In all honesty you really don't need any additives for your 20. Just keep up regular water changes and you should be all set.