High Calcium Levels ???

[RMotta]

Anybody know how to reduce Calcium level besides water changes or whats causing them to stay so high .

About 2 months ago I started to dose with B-Ionic according to the directions. I checked the levels 2 weeks ago because my feather dusters will not open. Reading at 600 I checked it 4 times so I think its accurate. so I did a 30 gallon water change. No effect. Waited 2 days did a 20 Gallon water change. No effect still reading 600. Waited 4 days did a 25 Gallon water change. No effect. Checked tonight after another 15 Gallong change still nothing.

Other then the Feater Dusters not opening tank looks great.
This is a 125 gallon Tank

Nitrates 2.5
Nitrites 0.0
Alk 2.7

Any Advice would be great

 

[Dave]

Check it with another test kit. I don't think it can be that high especially with your alk at 2.7

 

[JayM]

I'd really try a different test kit before I would believe a 600 reading just from B-ionic......especially if it didn't drop after a 25% water change with no additional suplementation.

 

[ldf99]

what kind of test kit are you using ...

 

[Behrmon]

Just curious how many mils you were dosing and how often?

 

[Dave]

Salifert make a good test kit.

 

[Pat H.]

If the tank looks fine and you have no "snow storm" I'd say your getting a false reading.

I'd try another calcium test kit first thing to be sure of the reading. What brand kit? I really like the Seachem kit, I highly recommend it.

Also, it's not a good idea to start dosing anything unless you plan on checking the levels often. You should be checking the cal level at least every other day until you get a feel for how your tank reacts.

 

[RMotta]

Testing with a Nutrafin EXP 2/28/2010

 

[RMotta]

Just curious how many mils you were dosing and how often?

Dosing with 10ml of both A and B once a week

 

[RMotta]

If the tank looks fine and you have no "snow storm" I'd say your getting a false reading.

I'd try another calcium test kit first thing to be sure of the reading. What brand kit? I really like the Seachem kit, I highly recommend it.

Also, it's not a good idea to start dosing anything unless you plan on checking the levels often. You should be checking the cal level at least every other day until you get a feel for how your tank reacts.

Good point, I should have thought about it before... DOH

 

[Pat H.]

Good point, I should have thought about it before... DOH

Well, we all make mistakes. That's how you learn. Now run out and get a good calcium test kit

Also, I've never used the Nutrafin kit, but it's possible your not reading it right. Some of these kits can be a PITA especially if your a little color blind like me.

 

[TomD]

Tell me about it. I had a Red Sea Alk test kit and I could not stand it.

 

[JayM]

There's NO WAY 10mL a week in a 125 made your calcium spike to 600, without there being a precipitation blizzard. I add at least 20ML of each to my 72 over the course of a week and I need to augment to keep my calcium UP. I only have zoas, GSP and a candy cane in the tank for corals

 

[RMotta]

Thanks for the help. I will get a new test kit and post my results

 

[MikeG]

Yes any supliment for calcium and alkalinity you need adjust your dose for the rate it is used in the tank. The doses on the bottle are basically useless unless you know what the demand of the tank is. For example, I was dosing 60ml of each part of B-Ionic a day on my 75 gallon SPS reef and using kalkwasser as well and not keeping up with calcium and alkalinity demands.

Good quality test kits and a lot of testing early on are a must when starting a new dosing system.