calcium stays high....helps

Hello everybody,

My 24 gal Nano reef tanks has been running for 6 months but the calcium keeps staying high. I don't use any calcium additive but only few time of trace elements. It's a reef tank with polys, three fishes, and two clams. And I though the two clams will suck out the calcium at no time. Here is my parameters:

Salinity: 1.022
pH: 8.4
Temp: 83 (swings between 78 to 83 once the 150 watt metal halide is on)
Ammonia: 0
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: 10
Calcium: 560
Magnesium: 1375
Phosphate: 0
Alkalinity: 4 mEq/L

Should I be concerned? If so, I do I lower it beside frequent water change. I remembered other members recommended me to check Magnesium last time since I didn't have the test kit to check. Got one Tropic Marin Mg/Ca test kit today and gave it a whirl. It's quite accurate vs. the API calcium result. BTW, I thought the kit is pretty easy to use (maybe because I used to work in a chemistry lab), unlike some other reviews.

By the way, is temperature too high when it max out at 83 once the metal halide is on? It's not even summer yet so I don't even want to think about what will happen during summer. Since I don't have money for a chiller yet, I'm thinking about rigging up a home-made chiller with spare water cooler part. Or should I just buy those clip-on fan and keep topping off with RO water?

Thanks in advance.

 

You don't want to let the temperature to get above 83 or 84 for extended periods but it is not a problem.

What are the trace elements brands you are using and how often do you you use them?

 

The trace minerl suppliment you are using most likely contains calcum,a nd if you are dosing by their instructions, you are most likely overdosing ;p

and that high of a temp will become dangerous. Those nano cubes are a nightmare in the summer time. you will need to get a chiller

 

What brand salt are you using? What material is your substrate?

My tank did well on VHO's and then I added MH's. Had to buy a chiller for the tank then the room the tank was in got hot. Added a bigger AC duct to this room to cool things down, then my electric bill went crazy.

If you can get the light you need without metal halides, it is a good thing.

Good luck,
Rick

 

Leds don't put out the heater MH do, If you decided to go that route instead of a chiller.

 

It's Kent and I've not been using it for over two months now. Even when i used it, I followed the direction very carefully.

 

I buy sea water from LFS and perform 5% water change every week. May be it's a good idea I check calcium on the sea water first to see what's going on......