Is High Calcium a problem?

[scubatiffy]

Had my water tested at LFS and the guy said my calcium was high- over 700. He said he couldn't read it b/c it was so high. I watched him do the test, and he put over 30 + drops and it didn't turn blue. He didn't really say anything about it, but I was just curious if this is a bad thing? My tank has:
Large Colt Coral
2 Hammers
1 Flower Pot (Still alive for now.....)
Bubble Coral and baby
Kenya Tree ( I think that's what they called it)
Green Button Polyps
A green grassy looking thing that I don't remember it's name
Assorted frags
Anemone w/hosting Clowne
A couple damsels

 

[jer4916]

i would say its a good thing, my tank reads around 650, and my corals are insain.
~chris

 

[fishieness]

i have heard people say it isnt good, but never why,
i do, however, know that if the Ca level becomes over 450, it can start to build up on your equipment causing it to chip a motor in a power-head or something, eventualy forcing you to put it in the trash

 

[jer4916]

depends on what kind of filter you have, i run a mag 12 and thats it on my reef, i dont need a skimmer...etc because i run an ecosystem so for me, the motor thing isn't a huge issue...maybe for you if you have alot of powerheads..etc
~chris

 

[dburr]

A high calcium can drive your alk low, and plobably will. That is NOT a good thing.

 

[mudplayerx]

As was stated above, high calcium will drive your alkalinity low, and probably affect your ph as well. No "high" readings are good in a marine environment; everything must be stabilized in moderate levels.
Also, calcium will precipitate at higher levels, actually leading to low calcium, because the precipitated calcium actually attracts more calcium to precipitate.

 

[scubatiffy]

As far as all other readings, everything was good. I do my weekly water changes and stay current on my tests, so should I be worried right now? I have a wet/dry- not sure of the brand. I checked my calcium a while back, and it was a little high- maybe 550 or so.
Will this run it's course, or should I do something about it?

 

[mudplayerx]

Just keep up with the water changes and don't add anymore calcium supplements until your reading goes down a little... around 420 is ideal.

 

[dburr]

Any way you can use another test kit? (another store?) If all else is in check, I would try another test kit, that one may be faulty. JMO

 

[dogstar]

Do you have a clue how it got so high?

 

[scubatiffy]

No clue as to how it got so high! I had been putting supplements in, but nothing for calcium. They may have contained calcium, though. I've done a 10% water change and plan another for this weekend. Everything is doing great (knock on wood)- my bubble coral even had a "baby" not too long ago! Hopefully, with water changes, this will run it's course! Thanks for everyones help!