Ca, kh, and mag readings high

[Taborct1]

I'm new to saltwater but have been a freshwater hobbyist for awhile now. My SW aquarium is up and cycled. It currently stocks around 15 hermits and 1 Molly along with several different corals. I am using IO reef Crystal's for a salt mix. The first post cycle water change was done 6/29 but I didnt have my test kit yet for the 3 macro elements. My test kit came in 7/2 and I went ahead and tested the levels to try the kit out. The kit is a Red Sea Ca/kh/mg kit. My readings at this time were:
PH: 8.2-8.4,
NO3: >.25
Ca: 490
Kh:9dkh
Mg:1800

This was using tap water for initial fill and the water change was with "purified water" from walmart.

I did another water change last night and measured the parameters in the bucket and I got the following:

Ph: 8.3
No3:0ppm
Ca: 550?!
Kh:11.8
Mg: 1800

This was done using "distilled water" from walmart. Thinking I messed up the test I continued with the water change and tested the tank parameters with the following results;

Ph: 8.3
Nh3/4: 0ppm
No2: 0ppm
No3:>.25ppm
Ca: 520
Kh:9.5
Mg:1720

This is all in my 40 breeder setup with a bit over 40lbs of rock, 40 lbs of sand, marineland biowheel filter rated for 75 gallons system, radion gen 2 30, and a Jeboa wave maker. It gets a 5 gallon water change every monday.
All my coral seem happy, so I'm not too concerned. My duncan has gone from 1 head to 4 heads in the 1.5 weeks period I've had it and my Euphyllia corals are budding like crazy. I have 5 buds on just one since getting it as well.

I guess my question is if these parameters are ok since everything seems happy or will I start running into problems soon since these parameters are above even the high recommended. Find it odd I got a lower reading from tap water than with distilled/purified.

 

[SPR1968]

Some of the parameters in particular magnesium are high, but if your using the Red Sea magnesium test kit, that’s probably why. It’s a difficult test and very easy to make an error with it.

I used it and it always read around 1500 despite a triton test confirming it was actually low at 1260. It’s now in the bin and replaced by NYOS

Just lower the calcium etc over a period and don’t dose anything unless it’s needed.

If everything looks ok then I wouldn’t do anything drastic

 

[Miller535]

Yeah, there is no way your Mag is anywhere near that high without supplementing, probably same for calcium. I think testing error. I personally prefer Salifert over Red sea for calcium and magnesium. As the color change is very dramatic with salifert.

 

[Taborct1]

Ok probably test error like you all said. I followed the directions (in box and from BRS video) and did one drop at a time but the colors on some get deeper before turning that final blue or green color. It's all within a few drops but that's enough to change a reading quite a bit I guess. Should I still go until it completely changes color or when the original color starts to darken/deepen?

 

[Taborct1]

Figured out what it was. Wasn't my testing persé but the salt and salinity. Apparently it's not an uncommon issue with IO reef crystals. If anyone else stumbles upon this and is running this salt I've read trying down to 1.024 salinity is fine. Just lower it slowly and get the Ca,KH, and Mg in check....

Fingers crossed it works for me as I'm experiencing all drops (precipitation) now due to the elevated CA which is staying consistent at 500-520 in my tests.

 

[Colin_1122]

Exact same thing happened to me using reef crystals. I don’t think it’s a testing error. My alk was around 11.2, calcium 550 and magnesium 1500. None of these are high enough to be toxic but I switched to regular instant ocean a few weeks ago to see how my corals react

 

[vetteguy53081]

What salt mix are you using and what is temperature if your tank?

 

[Taborct1]

What salt mix are you using and what is temperature if your tank?

Instant ocean reef Crystal's at 78 degrees with no variation in temp that I've noticed.

I found multiple forum posts with the same problem and went to the reviews of this salt and many other were having this problem. I guess it's some what a known issue about this brand.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Instant ocean reef Crystal's at 78 degrees with no variation in temp that I've noticed.

I found multiple forum posts with the same problem and went to the reviews of this salt and many other were having this problem. I guess it's some what a known issue about this brand.

Kind of what I suspected.

 

[Taborct1]

Kind of what I suspected.

Should I change salts after this bucket or go down to 1.024 salinity like some have recommended? I did dilute my current container to 1.024 but my readings are still high for CA and MG (525 and 1760) yet ALK is at 9.8 which is fine.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Should I change salts after this bucket or go down to 1.024 salinity like some have recommended? I did dilute my current container to 1.024 but my readings are still high for CA and MG (525 and 1760) yet ALK is at 9.8 which is fine.

As long as you have salt remaining, try the 1.024 and see if improvement. IF NOT, time to make a change