Calcium at 500 but alkalinity at 10.4

[Rechelle Fleck]

I know that elevated calcium will result in lowered alkalinity but in my nano this apparently not the case. I did a 20% water change yesterday and this was my second one this week due to a fish death which caused a small spike in nitrates. I get my water from the LFS and this particular store uses Instant Ocean although where I usually go uses Red Sea.

I tested my calcium and ALK today and the calcium was at 500 and ALK at 10.4. This seems very strange as I know that high calcium usually means low alk but not in my little nano reef. I use the Salifert tests and tested the calcium twice to make sure I wasn't doing something wrong.

After the most recent water change I dosed with Kent's Trace Elements so I'm not sure if this has something to do with it.

All other paramters are normal:

pH - 8.2
Nitrate - 10 ppm
Salinity - 1.025
Nitrite/Ammonia - 0
Phospahte - 0.1

 

[Rechelle Fleck]

I forgot to add that magnesium is 1450

 

[pdxmonkeyboy]

i used to use IO but lately there alk has been all over the place. my last batch was around 11dkh!! what the heck? who has alk at 11?

but anywho, you can have high alk and high cal at the same time.

 

[KrisReef]

Levels like that will increase precipitation inside pumps.

 

[horsefarm5]

i used to use IO but lately there alk has been all over the place. my last batch was around 11dkh!! what the heck? who has alk at 11?

but anywho, you can have high alk and high cal at the same time.

I just started a thread
My alk is 13..ca is 500 ..mag is 1300
Instant ocean reef crystals

 

[gcarroll]

How are you testing your salinity? Have you verified that your salinity is true and correct?

 

[horsefarm5]

I have a refractory and a hydrometer
I could have it done elsewhere.
Thanks

 

[gcarroll]

I only ask because all of the big 3 elements are elevated. Personally I don't feel the numbers are that big of a problem but you should probably let them decline naturally before resuming any dosing.

 

[Brew12]

I just started a thread
My alk is 13..ca is 500 ..mag is 1300
Instant ocean reef crystals

I doubt this is a problem. The higher magnesium will keep the Alk and Calcium from precipitating. I used to see numbers similar to this when I used Reef Crystals.

 

[horsefarm5]

I only ask because all of the big 3 elements are elevated. Personally I don't feel the numbers are that big of a problem but you should probably let them decline naturally before resuming any dosing.

That's what has me baffled....I haven't dosed....When I check the new salt water several days after making it I have those high numbers.
Should I change salt? Or do nothing and try to let it come down with aging of new coral.
Thanks for your time

 

[horsefarm5]

I doubt this is a problem. The higher magnesium will keep the Alk and Calcium from precipitating. I used to see numbers similar to this when I used Reef Crystals.

Thanks ...no precip at all.....I just was not sure if numbers that high were a problem...Thanks again

 

[Brew12]

That's what has me baffled....I haven't dosed....When I check the new salt water several days after making it I have those high numbers.
Should I change salt? Or do nothing and try to let it come down with aging of new coral.
Thanks for your time

I switched from RC to regular IO to get more natural levels of Alk and Calc. Some people like the elevated levels of Alk and Calc in RC to help keep up with coral growth using only water changes.

 

[horsefarm5]

I have a refractory and a hydrometer
I could have it done elsewhere.
Thanks

Damm auto correct...refractor

 

[Robert D'Amaro]

I find this thread everytime I search 500 calcium and 10.4 all. But the thread only talks about salts. So what is your opinion about having 500 ca. And 10.4 all. I have been exactly there for about 3 weeks now. Are these numbers ok? Mag is 1380

 

[Robert D'Amaro]

Alk not all

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I find this thread everytime I search 500 calcium and 10.4 all. But the thread only talks about salts. So what is your opinion about having 500 ca. And 10.4 all. I have been exactly there for about 3 weeks now. Are these numbers ok? Mag is 1380

It's fine, as long as if you have SPS corals, that there is sufficient N and P present.

 

[Robert D'Amaro]

Thanks Randy,
SPS Dominant mixed reef and yes, Nitrate under 25 and Phosphate under 0.5. Everything seems to be growing just fine.

 

[Kynzo]

It's fine, as long as if you have SPS corals, that there is sufficient N and P present.

To the OP maaaan I've been going thru this right now. Considering switching back to regular io, since I've been using reef crystals and have been getting crazy high numbers. I just mixed water for a wc and tested that water. Cal was 500+ around 540. Alk 11.3 at Salinity of 1.026. I know number chasing is bad but I've seen such minimal growth. Nothing has died or seems to be dying (bleaching or browning). I've been trying to narrow down the issue and I'm wondering if the high Cal plus the high nitrates and undetectable phos is the culprit. Any advice? My tank pH is a little more in line than my mixed water at (ph - 8.3, Sal - 1.026, Cal 485, dKh - 8.15, No3 - 25-50, and phos - 0.00) using all salifert kits and a Hanna checker for phosphate.

 

[Dom]

I switched from RC to regular IO to get more natural levels of Alk and Calc. Some people like the elevated levels of Alk and Calc in RC to help keep up with coral growth using only water changes.

I've been using Instant Ocean Reef Crystals since I began in the hobby. And yes, I've maintained good element levels through the years , simply by doing water changes and no dosing.

That being said, lately, I have noticed a change in the consistency at which IORC mixes. Just about 2 months ago, Bulk Reef Supply was kind enough to send me a new box (200 gallon mix) because the box they sent previously was only mixing to a an ALK of 5.5. The new box mixes to about 8.5.

@Brew12 I recently started a thread about running one of my tanks at a lower calcium level in order to slow the growth rate of my Zoas which are currently running a muck in the tank. I never stopped to consider that switching over to the regular Instant Ocean mix might be a way to slow down growth.

 

[homer1475]

Only problem with IO, it doesn't mix up much below RC really.

Ive used IO for years and it pretty much mixes up to:
Cal 390 - 420
ALK 9 - 10
Mg 1250 - 1350