Calcium Too High!

[FinzAquatics]

I tested my water today, Calcium is reading out over 500. Weird thing is... I DONT DOSE calcium. How can i lower this? and what would cause this?

 

[MAReefer1]

must be a testing error. what test kit are you using?

I had the same problem, I was testing wrong.

 

[~Flighty~]

what is your salinity alkalinity and magnesium? and how did you test the Ca?

 

[Dave]

Verify that with another test. It would be tough to get to that level if you were dosing.

 

[FinzAquatics]

i was using the salifert calcium test kit. alkalinity is at 11. salinity is at .023. i have not tested magnesium.. would that have an effect?

 

[FinzAquatics]

i do use red sea salt, that says it has calcium additives. i do weekly h20 changes... any effect here?

 

[TomD]

Not that much.

 

[Clam Man]

i was using the salifert calcium test kit. alkalinity is at 11. salinity is at .023. i have not tested magnesium.. would that have an effect?

just checking but your not mixing tips or test kit components this could have an effect on the test.I would take a (full bottle of tank water no air )to john at sea creatures and have him check it to his kit.I had a kit that was off.

 

[MAReefer1]

you also could be testing wrong...
best to get a test from abother person.

 

[FinzAquatics]

i know how to test water. i have almost every test available. i work for a lfs. i make sure all my tests are not tampered. all in cleaned vials, and i test properly.

 

[FinzAquatics]

ive tried another test kit still reading high

 

[jacqur]

Did you ever think about just leaving it. Maybe figure out what the balanced alkalinity is for CA at 500ppm, test your alk, and adjust accordingly. I don't think there is any problem with elevated Ca as long as your alk is balanced. Stop adding additional Ca and in a few days or few weeks - depending on your consumption rate, your Ca will come back down.

Rand Holmes has a calculator online somewhere which shows balanced alk and Ca.

 

[FinzAquatics]

alright, but i dont dose calcium... im trying to figure out how it got high. i havnt added any calcium buffer since i switched to red sea salt 4 months ago... how is calcium where it is?

 

[Dave]

Test your water when you mix it and see what how high the Ca is.

 

[smcnally]

alright, but i dont dose calcium... im trying to figure out how it got high. i havnt added any calcium buffer since i switched to red sea salt 4 months ago... how is calcium where it is?

I'd get another test kit. I find it hard to believe that your Ca is at 500 when your alk is at 11dKh.