high calcium levels

[tommykylie]

Hi, I tested my calcium levels today and they were at 600ppm. I've been dosing every day for the last couple weeks because I needed a new test kit(just bought today). I normally keep it around 450ppm. Is this too high and if so how do I fix it.

PH- 8.3
salinity-1022
nitrite, nitrate- 0
phosphate-0
ammonia-0
Thanks

 

[nietzsche]

yes too high. usually when you raise salinity the calcium will increase as well, so maybe you should have kept salinity at around 1.026 or 35ppt. if the test kit is correct, just try to let the calcium go down on its own
whats your alkalinity at?

 

[ibew41]

if you are dosing you have to test more often.what do you have in your tank that you have to dose every day?

 

[veni vidi vici]

Stop dosing ,and regular water changes.

 

[candycane]

X2 on what he said above. A good salt should maintain calcium levels between 380 and 450 for about 2 weeks. You should keep an eye on your Alk to make sure that it stays there though. Just test it.
I don't know how new you are at this, but if you ATTEMPT to keep any level at a specific level - well let's just say that it started making me hate the hobby 15 years ago. If you dumped 2000 into a fully automated system, that would ease things up a bit. Other then that, PH will usually tell you if anything is out of wack with your alk, calc or magnesium. PH probes run around 80 bucks (at least for the one I got)

 

[tommykylie]

hi, I've had my FOWLR tank for about 6 years now, but have recently started adding in corals, etc. .My alkalinity is okay at about 300, I do have a ph probe and my ph is always pretty stable. I don't normally dose every day but because I couldn't test my levels i was putting in a half dose just to make sure it was ok. I have always had a problem with my calcium going too low so i usually test every few days and have to dose weekly to keep it up. I tested today and it was at 560, so it is dropping. I'll do a water change tomm. and see if that helps. Thanks alot!!

 

[veni vidi vici]

If your having problems keeping up you calcium levels,you might want to check your magnesium. You calcium level should"nt be dropping that fast unless you have a lot of calcium using coral in your tank.
Typical Natural Sea Water:
Calcium=420ppm
Alkalinity=2.5 meq/l
Magnesium=1280 ppm
Salinity=1.026 sg

 

[candycane]

Keeping a slightly higher alkalinity level I have noticed causes faster coral growth and less precipitation of calcium out of the tank in a longer period of time. I keep mine at about 3.5. I have never seen anyone have a problem keeping it a bit higher, but can't say that it wouldn't hurt your tank.

 

[veni vidi vici]

Originally Posted by candycane
http:///forum/post/2521807
Keeping a slightly higher alkalinity level I have noticed causes faster coral growth and less precipitation of calcium out of the tank in a longer period of time. I keep mine at about 3.5. I have never seen anyone have a problem keeping it a bit higher, but can't say that it wouldn't hurt your tank.
I think 3.5 meq/l gives you more breathing room.