Calcium 520 / Alk 8.15 / Mag 1300

[CamInDFW]

Hello everyone,

I've been in this a long time and have read many, many posts by Randy - I have a bit of an issue..

New tank - first time using a dosing pump.
Tank - Red Sea Reefer 250 - total volume 65 / adjusted volume 50 due to rock, sand, equipment etc..
Salinity is a bit low at 1.023 - I got a couple of low batches from my LFS.

Calcium 520 / Alk 8.15 / Mag 1300 / PH 8.23 / 0 - ammonia,nitrites, nitrates and 10 ppb - phosphorus. Tested Via Hannah, Red Sea and API test kits.

I know my high calcium is due to the salt which is used. Aquavitro salinity

I run Reef Octopus Bio-spheres. - I have since day 1.

I am only dosing 1 ml of Seachem Reef Fusion A and 3 ml a day of Sea Chem Reef fusion - I know they should be 1:1 but, due to my calcium levels - I have to adjust.

This is a new tank (3 months). I have just started stocking it - 8 sps - larger frags/ mini colonies. 5 lps smaller frags.

I do a 10 gallon water change every 10 days.

Now my question - Should I quit dosing until the corals start to grow and just rely on water changes?

Thank you for your time!

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I'd at least keep dosing alkalinity at about where it is.

I'm surprised the calcium is that high with Aquavitro Salinity at that sg. Maybe the specific gravity is higher than you think.

 

[CamInDFW]

Thank you for the advice.. The SG has been verified by myself and two LFS - For the calcium level - I have used a Hannah Checker and a Red Sea Calcium test kit to verify the numbers (numerous times) the LFS used API.

I will cut the calcium and just dose the Alk - I will do a 5 gallon water change and use salt in the top off for the next week or so measuring SG daily.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Sounds good.

Happy Reefing.

 

[CamInDFW]

Follow up - I've done a 15 gallon water change. I have stopped dosing CA and ALK - my Alk is down to 7.83 (where I want it due to running biopellets) but my calcium is up to 537..

Is it possible that something in my tank is adding calcium to the water column?

thanks!

Cameron

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Follow up - I've done a 15 gallon water change. I have stopped dosing CA and ALK - my Alk is down to 7.83 (where I want it due to running biopellets) but my calcium is up to 537..

Is it possible that something in my tank is adding calcium to the water column?

thanks!

Cameron

No. If it is really going up, it is from additives, tap top off water, or water changes.