coraline algea & Calcium

[justin_ny]

i have 55 gallon reef tank running with K2R reactor. i know to grow a coraline algea, it demands a high calcium in my tank. but right now my calcium is 550. what happen if my tank has a high calcium like more than 450? does high calcium will kill my coral and my fish? can coraline algea grow with high calcium(550)? actually before i adding ke reactor my calcium is 550 already. so what do i have to do to low my calcium. i already turn off my reactor for 2 weeks now, still 550. i dont add nothing to my tank except RO water to replace the evaporate water. i do change my water 6 gallon every week.
pls help me

 

[justin_ny]

anybody

 

[frankl15207]

Calcium above 480 can start to kill. If you are doing water changes and not replenishing the calcium, then something else may be causing the elevated levels. What test kit are you using?
What kind of water are you adding?

 

[nm reef]

I'd also be curious as to the type of tests used. Also the results of tests for calcium/alkalinity/ph...and what kind of salt do you use for water changes. I've never heard of calcium levels of 55o doing damage...but it seems strange that they remain at that level.Your calcium should be having no negative effects on your coraline algae...but to properly maintain your system calcium/alkalinity/ph all need to be maintained at the proper levels...they balance and work off of each other.In my reef I try to maintain the following ranges:
calcium-400-450 ppm
alkalinity-2.8-3.5 meg/l
ph-8.0-8.3

 

[broomer5]

Natural ocean water has a calcium level of somewhere between 380 to 400 mg/l.
Unless you have a lot of hard corals that require a lot of calcium, I see no reason to exceed 400 mg/l.
Having a 450 to 500 mg/l - I dunno - never kept any of my tanks at these levels.
It's my understanding that having 500+ calcium can make it difficult maintaining other water parameters especially your alkalinity, can precipitate out of solution and cause white calcium carbonate residue, may lead to premature pump or equipment failures and is generally not necessary for most tanks.
Personally I don't see the need for any excessive levels of any saltwater parameter.

 

[byrself]

i posted about an article on saltwater elements. check it out. it discusses calcium and levels within instant ocean and natural salt water. it will probably enlighten you to the subject. has some interesting finds between people with different tanks having totally different readings of each element. hth

 

[justin_ny]

i test my calcium with the red sea test kit. and my ph is fine 8.2 and alkalinity is 12 dkh. i will try another testing this weekend.

 

[justin_ny]

i change my water every week with ro unit.and using coralife salt.

 

[byrself]

my personal opinion is that plenty of circulation/aeration helps out alot. i give credit to my coralline growth on lots of current.