Water Parameter Question

[bterry29]

My calcium has been fairly high for the last couple of months. My alk has been up and down. The calcium generally runs about 500-600 and the alk has been as high as 13 and as low as 7. I can't figure out what is making the calcium so high and the alk fluctuate so much. I have added an alk buffer when it was in the 7-8 range which took it back up. I've been told the calc should run in the 450-500 range and the alk in the 9-11 range. I add a supplement about once a week. It is called Reef Solution. I use two capfuls. An employee at the LFS said not to worry about the high calcium and fluctuating alk. What do you think?

 

[bioreefer]

Bterry I am from missouri which LFS told you that

 

[flamingkingofhe]

imo 9-11 on the alk might be to high i keep mine from 7-9 also i dont think your cal. is to bad i keep mine around that purposely but then i again i have a lot of cal draining corals
you high supply of cal. and alk may be coming from tap water if u use it or it could be that you are overdosing with buffer

 

[broomer5]

I've never used Reef Solution, so I don't know it's affects on the tankwater. I looked it up, and it seems to be a product used with the Ecosystem filtration systems.
The thing that struck me odd was their claim that it's the only additive you'll ever need.
Whenever I see a statement like that - I sort of question it.
I would be concerned with calcium levels above 500 ppm.
I agree that the higher calcium levels could be coming from tapwater if you use it.
What freshwater do you use ?
What saltmix ?
Which brand of test kits ?

 

[bterry29]

Thanks for all your replies. Here are the answers to the questions you asked:
I have a short tentacle plate, torch coral, bubble coral, goniorpora (sp?), mushrooms, and polyps.
I use RO water that I get from the LFS. I get my water tested for calcium and alk at the LFS. I'm not sure what test kit they use. I have asked about getting a test kit for calcium and alk but the man who helps me at the LFS said he wants me to come in and get my water tested so he can keep current on how my tank is doing.
I have to admit, and I'm sure most won't agree, I have not done a water change since my tank was set up in November. The guy at the LFS has told me a few times that if I keep up with the tank I don't need to change the water, only add topoff. I add about a gallon of topoff (RO) every 2-3 days.
My other water params have been:
PH = 8.2
Ammonia = .25 (just added some additional LR)
Nitrite = 0
Nitrate = 40 (normally runs 0 but recently has been at 40)
Salinity = 1.023
Does any of this help explain the high calcium and up and down alk?