Water Chem for adding corals

Ok, so all my other perams are great:
Ph - 8.2
Nitrate - 0
Nitrite - 0
KH - 300ppm
PO4 - 0
SG - 1.024

I don't have a Mag test, but I m going to get one this afternoon (is there anything else I should be testing for?). So my question is, my Calcium is high, about 520-540ppm. Is this an issue? I am going to be adding corals tomorrow (I am a newbie and someone in the local club is setting me up with about 10 frags!!!), I want to make sure all is well before doing so. Any help or suggestions would be appreciated.

Ryan

 

You will be fine, what type of frags are they and what type of lights do you have?

 

I would not say you will be fine. Your profile says you are a newbie. I responded to another person and this also applies to you.

Hello Kelly, I didn't mean to upset you. It is just that being in this hobby for 20+ years I have gathered a lot of experience and knowledge. A lot of headaches can be avoided by not moving too fast. Most of my insight comes from; trial and error, mistakes, ignorance (not doing the proper homework) and being stubborn by not heeding good advice. So, you see, I am not really proud of some of the ways I have gathered my experience and knowledge! When I asked about the tank parameters I asked because I didn't think you could have attained sufficient data as to knowing the tanks consumption rate of the various elements and then designing a dosing regiment (if needed). Calc over 500 is not really "good" especially not knowing what your Mag is. If calc gets much higher it will "fall out of solution". When you do get your Mag test, since calc is at 500+ your mag should be at least 1500 ppm to "hold" the calc. I know from experience that there are some polyps that don't appreciate mag at 1500 ppm. especially Green Star Polyps.
I was merely attempting to give you a heads up to avoid problems down the road. I have read countless posts in this and the other 2 forums I am a member about those "putting together" a tank and of course things look perfect for a month or so and they stock up only to be back in 2-3 mos. describing all sorts of trouble with the tank. It is my, and many others, contention that no coral should be introduced in an aquarium for at least 2-3 mos. This gives the tank ample time to "settle in" and establish the required bacteria base of which there are different types which multiply at different rates in a closed system.
Since you are where you are I would add live bacteria now at double the marine dose and leave the tank alone for 3 weeks before you do another water change (you don't know your mag). After establishing what the mag is (watching it by checking it weekly) and after the 3 week period you could then change out 30% of the water, wait a day, and do all your testing to establish what and how much of the various elements are being used.
I have taken some time here because I wish you success.

 

Yeah, calcium that high is not good.

 

This is not a problem that will effect corals such as zoas and easy to start stuff, she will be fine adding a few easy to care for corals.

 

Like Oceanparadise said it wont be much of a problem for the corals you want to keep, but personally I would bring the calcium down some or you will start seeing a build up of calcium deposit on your heaters and pumps.

 

Thanks unclejed and everyone...when I say newbie, I mean to putting a reef together, maybe I should change my sig huh?! My FOWLR has been running for over a year now. I have maintained it with no issues and my water perams (the ones I always test for) have never changed by more then just a couple points. I have also taken my water in to my LFS numerous time to have it checked just to make sure that my tests are accurate, and they all come back good (and high Cal has never been a problem before, and Mag was always right on). I also have nems that have flourished very nicely and I have been told that the nems I have are just as hard to care for as a good portion of corals out there, plus everything is nice and purple, so I know that my tank is healthy. I picked up my Mag test and it came in at 1350. While I was out I picked up a whole new test kit because mine is a few months from expiring. Upon checking everything again, my Cal is at 480, my Mag is at 1350, which from everything I read is pretty optimal (and everything else is the same as original post). I appreciate the input and know that this is not a jump in head first type of deal....I went very slow when I started off even with a FOWLR and want everything to go well. I know that I have avoided mistakes due to the help of others and I am sure it has saved me a ton of money in dead livestock. Again, thanks for the input.

So, by the way, what would cause high calcium??

 

Ohh if your cal is 480 then I don't see any reason to adjust it, I run mine at around 450-480. dkh around 10 -12, and mag at 1500.
1.026sg.

with the numbers you have now there shouldn't be any problems with adding corals.
What type of lighting do you have?

 

I have a 4 bulb 156w T5HO Nova Extreme. I have a 10k, 12k, and 2 460 Actinic bulbs in it, as well as lunar LED's (all bulbs just recently changed). I realize that without MH I am somewhat limited, but my tank is not very big or deep (16 in) and I have seen many people on here with a very similar type of setup that do just fine, so I am not worried. Again, thanks guys!!

 

Now, that information changes things.