My calcium wont come down??

[reef_dart21]

I have an sps tank that i want to transfer to my new tank but when i took the parameters my calcium is extremely high (past 500) and i dont know why?
I have been doing fifteen gallon water changes once a week, scrubs the red algea, did not touch the sand how can i lower? The high calcium is burning my softies

 

[bang guy]

I don't think high Calcium can burn Softies. Low alkalinity can though...

 

[cranberry]

If your not using additives or buffers, I would invest in another/better quality kit.

 

[rigdon87]

What salt mix are you using?
And what are your other parameters?

 

[reef_dart21]

Originally Posted by Bang Guy
http:///forum/post/3167109
I don't think high Calcium can burn Softies. Low alkalinity can though...
My alkanity is medium though, calcium is like at 550-600 nitrite/ammonia is 0 and nitrate is 5, salinity is 1.025 or 1.024, 8.2 phosphate

 

[bang guy]

What level is considered Medium? 550ppm - 600ppm is a huge range. Either way it's not at a harmful range unless it is depressing Alkalinity. It may cause heaters and warm parts of powerheads to crust up with Calcium carbonate but it's not going to harm corals at that level.

 

[reef_dart21]

the test says 540 ppm (roughly)

 

[9supratt4]

Originally Posted by Reef_Dart21
http:///forum/post/3167250
the test says 540 ppm (roughly)
You have a test kit that reads Alkalinity in PPM??

 

[bencc27]

Have you tested your pre mixed saltwater that your using for water changes? I've got salt mixes in the past that have been really high in calcium.

 

[rigdon87]

are you using reef crystals?

 

[reef_dart21]

Originally Posted by 9supratt4
http:///forum/post/3167255
You have a test kit that reads Alkalinity in PPM??
yes i use the test strips :/
I use reef gardens salt, but i have never tested the pre mix

 

[ophiura]

If you are keeping SPS corals, in particular, you need to invest in something much better than the strips
I wouoldn't make any adjustments - additives or otherwise - until you have a better one. You may not really have any issue at all.

 

[reef_dart21]

Originally Posted by 9supratt4
http:///forum/post/3167255
You have a test kit that reads Alkalinity in PPM??

Originally Posted by ophiura
http:///forum/post/3167426
If you are keeping SPS corals, in particular, you need to invest in something much better than the strips
I wouoldn't make any adjustments - additives or otherwise - until you have a better one. You may not really have any issue at all.
What could be killing my softies then? i cant even keep ZOAS in my tank :/

 

[t316]

Originally Posted by Reef_Dart21
http:///forum/post/3167467
What could be killing my softies then? i cant even keep ZOAS in my tank :/
It's something other than calcium...Get a good test kit and you will probably find out what.

 

[rigdon87]

Originally Posted by T316
http:///forum/post/3167471
It's something other than calcium...Get a good test kit and you will probably find out what.
+1.My calcium was up around 650ppm last month and had no ill effects on my livestock

 

[ophiura]

Heck, other soft corals can kill corals. Esp if you have some large sinularia or something. I have a very difficult time keeping other types of coral in the tank with big sinularia's. Very toxic. So any number of things can be the culprit.

 

[9supratt4]

Originally Posted by T316
http:///forum/post/3167471
It's something other than calcium...Get a good test kit and you will probably find out what.
+1 Definitely get some better test kits!! Even API test kits would be better. I personally love using my Salifert kits.
Or go to your LFS with some water and have them test it all for you. Start there and get some good numbers. Then we can help you figure it out from there.

 

[reef_dart21]

Originally Posted by 9supratt4
http:///forum/post/3167522
+1 Definitely get some better test kits!! Even API test kits would be better. I personally love using my Salifert kits.
Or go to your LFS with some water and have them test it all for you. Start there and get some good numbers. Then we can help you figure it out from there.
ok thanks
also i have meter for nitrite nitrate and ph and drops for everything else but alkalinity.