Lowering Rates

[golfersone]

How do I lower the calcium rate and dKH in a 55 gallon reef tank ? Is there a calculator to making accurate changes?Thanks for any insight. I have Api test kits for both but am wondering how to lower them accuratel. calculator maybe? Will just a water change do it?

 

[al&burke]

What are your levels at and yes a water change will lower it - you probably don't want to lower things to fast if your levels are high. Water changes are meant for replenishing calcium, Mg, and everything else that goes in saltwater. Oh and hey welcom to the forum - you have come to the right place, enjoy your hobby

 

[ibew41]

why is your cal and alk high are you dosing for these andwhat are your exact numbers on your tests

 

[golfersone]

Thanks! I'm just getting going. I started with a fish only tank then eventually live sand and live rock. I know my levels are high they were lower but then shot up again. I have a Calcium rating of 580mg/L ppm and a rating of 17dkh. They were low like real low when I started but went to local Marine shop and talk to the sales guy he gave me reef code a and b and kalk +2. I started dosing as instructed and only used the kalk+2 once a one gallon jug or so worth. But I stopped once I got a calcium reactor with a Marine Pinpoint ph controllor which is set between 6.4 and 6.8 and is running currently off the probe in the reactor at 6.59
Any help would be great! I've been far from impatient with this whole thing and everything seems to be fine I lost a cleaner shrimp and blood shrimp I had when I set up the reactor but had them for about a year so I don't know but probably was the reactor. I got a few pepperment shrimps to test out the water after I let the reactor run for atleast 24. No water has been coming back into tank and nothing is in my bubble counter so I'm guessing it"s off(duh?) but so far everything has been going good except for these levels. Do they rise by adding critters to tank? My OCD is startng to kick in though I must admit and it is driving me nuts not having the normal levels as instructed by test kits. So again any help thanks a ton Semper Fi!