Ca+ is at 580!

Discussion in 'Water Chemistry' started by Todd_Sails, Apr 25, 2012.

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  1. Todd_Sails

    Todd_Sails Giant Squid

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    I've had it as high as 520, and no I don't top off with salt water.

    Funny thing is also, that I don't dose anything- haven't needed to, yet I guess.

    I did a ~10% water change 2 days ago.

    Nitrates and Phos.- 0,0
    KH- 7
    Mg- 1380 (usually test higher around 1500
    Ca+- 580-600! (usually 420-520)

    I checked it twice in a row.

    SG is 1.0265

    I'm using the IO crystals- that came in 4 sealed bags in the box that makes 200gallons.

    Any probems with Ca+ being this high?

    All my livestock and corals and feeding, etc. is A OK.
    I also don't spot feed my corals either, and don't use any type of supplements- haven't needed to, yet.
     
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  3. chumslickjon

    chumslickjon Purple Spiny Lobster

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    I had an issue like this. My Ca was way high, mid 500's. I thought it was the test kit so I tried another and same reading.
    My research led up to this:
    Alk gets used up quicker than Ca. Once alk is low, no more Ca can be consumed. So when performing water changes, Ca would get another boost, but alk would quickly drop, leaving more Ca, and after many water changes the Ca would eventually be real high.
    Once I started dosing baked baking soda, the Ca started coming down. Eventually it was at 420ppm and then I started dosing with polyp labs one. My Alk and Ca has been stable ever since. Alk 8dkh Ca 450 ppm.

    Test your alk and see what you are, you might be at the low end of the scale, 5-6 dkh.
    Edit: nevermind, I see your alk tests at 7dkh.
     
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  4. Todd_Sails

    Todd_Sails Giant Squid

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    Thanks Chums,

    My Alk has been dropping some lately. I have been sporadically dosing Arm and Hammer Baking soda, 1-3 tsps, with an occasional top off gallon.

    I'll keep an eye on it, thanks.
     
  5. Todd_Sails

    Todd_Sails Giant Squid

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    Retested my Alk and Ca+ again today. No % WC since my last one.

    I occasinally manually dose small amounts, 10-15ml baking soda.- not daily however.

    Today Alk was again at 8, and Ca+ again at 580!
    Everything seems to be fine in my DT!

    Any other thoughts from you reef chemists? I don't want a problem and play catch-up.
     
  6. dowtish

    dowtish Horrid Stonefish

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    what test kit are you using?
     
  7. Todd_Sails

    Todd_Sails Giant Squid

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    API Reef Master
     
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  9. dowtish

    dowtish Horrid Stonefish

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    You might want to get another test kit to compare the results. I suggest a salifert kit.
     
  10. Todd_Sails

    Todd_Sails Giant Squid

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    Possibly,

    I'm glad that things are doing well however in my DT
     
  11. steve wright

    steve wright Super Moderator

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    My opinion is it is a test kit issue

    if all you have added is baking soda, that could/ would explain the increase in DHK
    but does not account for the increase in calcium


    some brands of salt mix do contain elevated calcium levels and 500 is not impossible with the upper SG you currently have
    but with no additions and no water changes it would not increase from 520 - 580 within a week

    Steve