high calcium, low pH

lopeyc

lopeyc

Member
So I got a calcium test and it was 550!
By my pH in daytime is still only 8.0
I took out the seachem blocks I had in the sump.
To bring up the pH, I had also added an 8.3 buffer -- which somebody later told me might not be such a good idea. I think it gave me this snowy effect I'm seeing now...and it didn't bring up the pH.
I added a penguin bio/mechanical filter today also to try and make this less dusty.
And I bought the fixins for kalkwasser, which the tanks previous owner had been using to good effect -- his pH was 8.3
Any thoughts on what I should do? I think I should sit tight until the calcium drops, then do the kalkwasser and forget other calcium and buffer additives. Does that make sense?
Does this get easier? :confused:
 
escape2thewater

escape2thewater

Active Member
Which test kit(s) are you using? How long has the tank been running & how long have YOU owned the tank? Just tring to get a little more info!:)
Kyle
BTW, kalk is the best method depending what inhabs. are in your tank.
 
redawg

redawg

Member
test your alk it's probably low.
is that seachem buffer?
mix it in with a cup of fresh water then add to tank
you should get your ca and alk in check then think about dripping kalk.. if they're outta whack already kalk isn't gonna fix it. it's a maintainer. i still ahve to buffer a teaspoon every 3 days dripping over a gal a day. that's on a 125 gal.
when u start bringing up your alk you'll notice the ca falling.. you'll probably also notice your PH coming up(check close to end of light cycle.. same time everytime.. it'll swing throughout day)
don't over dose tank trying to fix it fast.. 550 cal isn't gonna kill anything that i know of.. might take a month to drop it back down depending on your setup.. have patience and keep testing
 
lopeyc

lopeyc

Member
i'm using a calcium test kit called "calcium pro" -- i think by Kent
the other tests are Tetratest
I've had the tank a month. It was set up over a year ago. I should have started the kalkwasser as soon as I got it...
newbie question: when you say "alk" I assume you mean alkalinity -- but what is the test? Doesn't pH test alkalinity?
i did mix the buffer with distilled fresh water first. it says if you get particulates, it means you've got ion inbalances?
 
attml

attml

Active Member
I am still saving for a calcium reactor but have been dosing Kent Tech CB part A&B for over a year and my Cal, ALk & PH have never been out of line and I have more coralline than I can shake a stick at! I would consider a water change to get the cal down just a little then start thinking about dosing regularly!
 
lopeyc

lopeyc

Member
i was calling alk "carbonate hardness" which I had tested for. Thye're the same thing right? dKH, I think?
Yeah, it was quite low: 5-5.5
I'm going to wait a few days, and if the calcium hasn't come down, do the water change ... then start the same kalkwasser regime the last guy used. I had thought kalk seemed too scary for a newbie, but now I see if it brings stability it's well worth learning how to do it!
Thanks all, for the responses. This board is kind of my lifeline right now and I hope I'm not wearing out my welcome with all the posting.
dreeves: i have fish, shrimp, crabs of various makes and sizes, anemones, and some hard and soft coral. And a clam.
 
redawg

redawg

Member
don't start dripping kalk until you get your levels right. dkh is another way of measuring your alk.
like i said before in the last post. bring your alk up and your ca will drop. why u get the snowflakes i don't know.. have u tested your magnesium? when it's low i think u get snowflakes from precipating calcium.. not sure there though.. never had it happen to me
 
dreeves

dreeves

Active Member
Calcium without alk and with O2 will precipitate into the water causing a cloudiness and also a white hard coating over most things in your tank, heater, etc...
 
lopeyc

lopeyc

Member
so what should my target alk be, and how do I raise it?
I guess I'll sit tight unti the calcium drops, in any case -- i think that's what I'm hearing.
then, if needed, bring up alk with added buffer.
then test again and wait some days.
then, if levels are good, kalk for maintenance.
yeah?
 
dreeves

dreeves

Active Member
DKH about 8-12 or so. You would use a builder of some sort...Seachem makes one which supposedly doesn't affect the ph...
 
fishmamma

fishmamma

Active Member
Check out that link....I thik it is the explanation for the following:
If your calcium levels are too high it can bond with carbonates and precipitate in the form of calcium carbonate. This will lower alkalinity and then pH. If Magnesium is out of balance calcium may start to precipitate.
I have been using the Seachem buffer and have been happy with it along with B-Ionic. Once things are back in balance adding a small amount of buffer shouldn't cause any cloudiness or "snow". Good luck in figuring this all out, can be quite confusing.
 
the reef

the reef

Member
sounds like your calcium could be perciptating becuse your raising your alkalinity way to high and could also be contributed from having magnisum levels under 1300 ppm
 
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