Calcium and alk problems

[Armani]

calcium is at 360 (low) and alkalinity went up to 10 from 7. My mistake was cleaning or (rinsing) all my filter media and doing a 50% water change. I was having problems with my acans and zoas and torch. Acans receeded into their Skelton’s. Zoas closed and torch receeded into little stubs when they were extended previously. This was about 2 weeks ago now. At the time all parameters were good (calcium 400, alk 8, phos 0, nitrate 0, ph 8) I was very confused so I did the water change and filter clean. Now the problem is low calcium and higher alk. Corals are hardly opened now. I’m assuming I have to let everything stable out. I even added dr Tim’s nitrifying Bacteria to be safe. I’ve always used the same salt (instant ocean mix) not reef crystals which I’ll probably switch to for the calcium I need. But why can’t I get back to 400 calcium and how did my alk go up? (Sidenote) my cloves have really been growing a lot faster too as a result. I’m so confused

 

[Brad Miller]

Need to know your magnesium levels

 

[Armani]

Need to know your magnesium levels

Idk them myself I have to buy a kit. I’m assuming they’re low

 

[Chiefmaster30]

The reason your alk level probably went up is because you done such a large water change and you said you are using instant ocean. Per this chart instant ocean mixes up to 11 dkh Alk. I personally use io myself and it always mixes for me to 10-11 Alk. If you want to run closer to an 8 Alk in your tank I would suggest switching salts to something that mixes closer to the parameters your wanting to keep. I learned the hard way in this hobby only make minor changes 1 change at a time anytime possible.
https://www.thatpetplace.com/salt-mix-guide

 

[Chiefmaster30]

Definitely also need to get a reliable magnesium test kit. Do you dose anything to maintain your levels or are you relying on water changes alone?

 

[Brad Miller]

I would suspect that your magnesium is around 1000 or so...the calcium is more than likely low due to low mag....raise mag very slowly to what you want to shoot for...I keep mine at 1400

 

[Armani]

The reason your alk level probably went up is because you done such a large water change and you said you are using instant ocean. Per this chart instant ocean mixes up to 11 dkh Alk. I personally use io myself and it always mixes for me to 10-11 Alk. If you want to run closer to an 8 Alk in your tank I would suggest switching salts to something that mixes closer to the parameters your wanting to keep. I learned the hard way in this hobby only make minor changes 1 change at a time anytime possible.
https://www.thatpetplace.com/salt-mix-guide

I’ve always used io and I always had a level of 7-8alk but it’s the first time I’ve done a big water change and clean everything out also.

 

[Armani]

Definitely also need to get a reliable magnesium test kit. Do you dose anything to maintain your levels or are you relying on water changes alone?

I don’t dose anything I’m just relying on filter products and water changes with ro water