Calcium too high?

I've recently purchased BRS 2 part and am looking forward to using it. But I'm trying to get my cal/alk params where I want them before zeroing in on the dosage to maintian them. In the past I've been a little crude in my computations for how much cal/alk additives to add. Now I'm ready to do better and I hope this 2 part system can help. Now my problem...

The suggested alk dosage is working perfectly. But, for 2 weeks now, my Cal has tested >500. (the top of Salifert's test). My alk is a 9 and Mag at 1340. I haven't added any Calcium at all in these 2 weeks, since I bought the 2 part. I did do one h20 change that further raised my Cal. I purchased a new test kit a few days ago to rule out faulty testing. (550)

Is this bad? What should I do? I was aiming for Cal at 420.

I have just a few hard corals now and 1 small clam. But hope to add more when my params stabilize.

any thoughts?

 

Just wait for it to come down naturally. Are you sure you're reading the calcium test kit directions correctly?
It's not bad where it's at right now although I would raise your magnesium a little bit to around 1500 with calcium that high so you don't get as much precipitation.

I would test your saltwater you use for water changes and see how much calcium/alkalinity is in that, that could actually be maintaining your calcium level if it's really high. If it is maybe consider using a different salt mix that is closer to the parameters you want to maintain?

 

Your problem now is one of imbalance. The Mag to Calc ratio is Mag 3X what Calc is. Since your Calc is 550 your Mag should be at least 1500(really 1650 according to the formula). I would raise the Mag to at least 1440 but this must be done gradually over a week or so period. Screwtape was on to it when he/she recommended 1500. I am saying 1440 to allow the Calc to drop to 480 or a little less and you will be fine.

 

thanks both of you. I'll raise the Mag. then let the Cal come down naturally. I use Coralife mix now, maybe I'll do a little experimenting with that too.

 

how did you get it that high, a lot of people would be stoked just to get it to 400 ppm
I think if you go too high it will precipitate into solid form like calcium phosphate or some thing. Good luck and I wouldnt worry too much about 500 ppm.

 

Apparently a bad combination of a questionable test kit, guessing at dosing, and guessing at dosing. Yeh, my mistake. I've raised the mg as suggested by others here and it is slowly coming down. 500 as of tonight. thanks for all your help.

 

After much trial and error, I've found that my real problem was (as suggested above) the Coralife salt mix I was using. After each water change, my CA was spiking above 600. I'm now trying Instant Ocean in hopes that it will resolve this crazy hight CA level I've had for too long now. Thanks to those that offered advice.

 

Yep, it was the Coralife salt. After several weeks with Instant Ocean salt, my overly high calcium is under control. 425 as of tonight. Anyone else with this problem, check your salt, there really is a difference.