Calcium above 500, need some help.

Everything in my tank is fine. Fish are acting normal. But when I tested my Calcium it read over 500, using the Salifert Test Kit. I used the Alkalinity and Magnesium test kits too and got readings of 8 and 1350.

I was dosing with Seachem Calcium to raise it up in preparation for my first few SPS frags and apparently went over board? Anyway, I just did a 20% water change and the readings are still over 500. Any advice?

 

I would just let it come down on it's own. If the pH is within range it should not be a big deal.

 

So I need to wait and let it come down before adding a Monti cap or birdnest? What range is premium for SPS?

 

Ideal range is considered to be roughly 350-450, some even keep it at 500 so you are ok.

If you want to wait just to be cautious then you should.

 

Add some KH buffer to lower Ca.

 

either your pH is REALLY low or your just super saturated with ca.

With alk at 8 and mg at 1350 your ca will naturally go down with time to about 430

 

+1 on leaving it alone 500 is not a major issues - been there and done that

but I would aim for 9 or 10 on the DKH scale ( between 7 and 12 we are OK but 8 is closer to 7 then I like hence I always targetted 9, )

Steve

 

500 is fine IMHO. I run mine close to there with no ill effects. so long as you have a good PH and KH, you shuld be just fine to add that monti. dont do anything to lower it, it will come down on its own as the coral use it.

fwiw, I am at 475 ca, 8.00 PH, 11 KH...

 

So I should not add a KH buffer with it being at 8?

 

Hey

I think you should bring up the AlK for sure. IME keeping the Alk, ph, Ca, mg stable and consistent is a must for sps.

With that said I would not have added buffer to attempt to bring down the ca. It is rarely a good thing to add one thing to fix another IMO, unless there is not any other way.

So how goes the plumbing ?