KH/Alkalinity & Calcium

Needing some education. I have been reef keeping by the seat of my pants for years. Mostly keep things going by doing weekly water changes. Now trying to prolong periods between water changes with a sulfer denitrater.
I have started to really check my water parameters.
My PH seems to be fine. But I have a KH of somewhere around 4.5 and Alkalinity of 1.60 according to my Salifert test kit. My calcium level is off of the chart, more than 500 ppm. I use a two part mix by Oceans Blend.
If I am understanding these numbers correctly. I should cut back on part 1 (calcium) and increase part 2 (KH/Alkalinity)
Can someone please advice if I am going to be taking the correct course to correct these parameters?
Thank you in advance for any advise.

 

dKH needs to be 8-12. you can buy kent dkh buffer to raise that.

whats your mag and salinity at?

 

Yes, you are correct. It is not uncommon for people to have more demand for Calcium in their tank. In other tanks, it's not uncommon for people to have more demand for alkalinity. All of our tanks our different.

Moved to chemistry forum

 

Thank you both. Just wanted to make sure I would be heading in the correct direction. I will cut back a little on the calcium and increase on part 2 KH/Alkalinity.
Again, thank you.

 

I think the link below should help you out some.

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/nov2002/chem.htm

Seems like your taking the right steps to correct the issue tho. what type of salt are you using? Many brands of salt mix have calcium pre mixed in so you may not need to dose so much calcium especially if your doing weekly water changes.

 

I would stop using part 1 (calcium) for 1-2 weeks. use only part 2. when raising mag/kh/alk it may lower your calcium a little too. anywhere around 400ppm calcium is good. you'll want to check your mag too..

do it in this order.

get salinity 1.024-1.026
get mag 1200-1400ppm
get dkh 8-12
keep calcium 400-450

 

I am using reef crystals. But I am trying to go longer on the water changes. (Salt prices keep climbing.) The sulfer denitrater is really working well. Keeping my nitrates to barely readable.

 

Thank you for your help. Will follow your advise.