That's it, I've officially had it.

[Scuba_Dave]

So, tested my CA again, trates, trites & ammonia all at 0 or near undetectable
My CA test only went up to 500 at "full strength" test. So I did a 1/2 strength.....and then some
Extrapolating off the chart (again - only goes up to 500 x 2 =1000 !!):
I came up with 1180 as a best estimate. Is that even possible??
My alk test is terrible, somewhere around 1,1 -1.7 m/l - lousy scale to read
Normal should be 2.5 m/l according to the test
So I'm bringing up my Alk
The tank can't make use of the CA unless it has Alk...

 

[NateHanson]

Dave, 2.5 meq/L is the alkalinity of NSW, but I think most reefkeepers would consider 2.5 low for a reef tank because of the higher demand in our small systems.

Quoting Borneman: "The alkalinity of natural seawater is about 2.5 meq/L, although the comparatively high bioload of aquariums makes a slightly higher level of 3.2-4.5 meq/L beneficial to the system as a whole."

As for the calcium that's amazing! I'd definitely use another test kit to verify, but I suppose that would explain your problems. Did you add Ca to the water change water somehow? What did you put in?

Nate

 

[Scuba_Dave]

I added Dowflake to the water I used for the water change. and then forgot I did...didn't check the CA, and added it in

One thought, can temp effect the test? It's only 60 down in the basement

 

[NateHanson]

I don't know. I'll bet if it does have an effect the direction sheet for the test would make a point of mentioning it.

I've noticed it takes quite a bit of dowflake to raise calcium. Do you have an idea of how much you dumped into your WC water?

 

[NateHanson]

4) I believe it is bleaching.

Jango, did those milles get worse, or are they (hopefully) starting to color back up again? Any more thoughts on why they crapped out all at once?

 

[Scuba_Dave]

I posted over on RC in Randy's forum. See what his input is

I'm not sure how much Dowflake I added, I didn't think it was that much...but

 

[jango]

I have not lost any more tissue, but I still need to raise my magnesium. Any one have any advice on a good supplement for magnesium.

 

[NateHanson]

You can use MgCl2 (available at some HD) or I think you can use Epsom salts too (although they raise sulfate - not sure if/why that matters).

I've got a huge bag of MgCl2 if you want some.

 

[Scuba_Dave]

Greg just had a group buy...maybe someone wants to split a bag

 

[jango]

I think the salt mix dropped my alk and mag way to quick plus a 25% water change will clear up the water pretty quick add on a bulb that just got broken in. much more light penetration low alk and mag is what I believe is the cause.

 

[Scuba_Dave]

Randy responded on RC, good info to know

Yes, it is possible to have very high calcium if either or both of alkalinity and pH are low.

To get a real calcium reading, you can just keep using more syringes of titrant and add the values together.

You might check your starting salt mix to determine if maybe it is high in calcium and/or to make sure the test kit is working.

If the tank really is more than 1000 ppm Ca++, I'd probably do a series of water changes. Normally I recommend just maintaining alkalinity and letting calcium fall on its own, but it may be hard to maintain alkalinity with calcium that high (but that is a fine route to try if you want).

This article (which I think you've seen) details the process:


Solving Calcium and Alkalinity Problems
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/nov2002/chem.htm

 

[Greg Hiller]

I haven't been on line for a few days.

Jango,

Yes, your magnesium is low, and it may be contributing to your problems. Unless your tank is large I think you would be best off doing some water changes to get it back up. You could also use the MgCl2 or Epsom salts, but please be careful, and make sure you understand what you are doing, and do it slowly, testing as you go.

This thread BTW, is rather difficult to follow as we now have three different people posting about three different problems.

Scuba Dave, if your test kits are correct and you do have way high calcium, then by all means, as Randy suggests, do some water changes to get it back in line.

 

[jango]

Jango, did those milles get worse

Before or after my tank hit 63, 3 of the 5 are dead skeleton's. I had a little issue of the tank temp dropping to 63 .

 

[spectrum]

Update.

My PH meter just came back, my PH is at 7.91 (with the lights off)
After 3 5 gallon water changes (I've been travelling so I could not do more)
and now I'm losing my exquisita from the bottom up, just like the others.

God, give me strength........

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

While Oceanic salt should not give 800-1000 ppm calcium, it does drive calcium quite high (>500 ppm). So those you with high calcium might stop using that mix if you are concerned with high calcium.

IMO, most high calcium issues (that is, actual coral problems, not just numbers problems) are really low alkalinity issues.

FWIW, I do not think that calcium at 450-600 ppm will lead to RTN.

 

[Greg Hiller]

But I'd be willing to guess caclium of 800 to over 1000 ppm as two people here have listed might be a problem. I just don't know...to my knowledge I've never gotten that high before.

 

[tigerslacrosse4]

that calcium level seems right based on you r alk. your alk should be higher and that would bring the cal down alot. i would get the trates outa there where theres trates theres trites... just saying

Just did some water test. All Salifert kits.
Don't know the ph, I actually sent my meter in for repair on Tuesday

Nitrate between 1 and 2 ppm
Calcium >500 (I don't know HOW this happened, but test more than once)
Alk 9.6 dkh
Magnesium 1440
Temp 78.9
Salinity 1.026

 

[Rick C]

Lol, this thread is close to 5 years old...just saying

that calcium level seems right based on you r alk. your alk should be higher and that would bring the cal down alot. i would get the trates outa there where theres trates theres trites... just saying

 

[TomD]

Lol, this thread is close to 5 years old...just saying

LOl ha ha I needed that Haven't you ever heard that "nothing good happens fast in this hobby!!!"

 

[dcforester1]

I had seen that, and thought it was funny too. There should be a sniglet for that.