Calcium increasing

[ReefingBliss]

Ok so this is my first tank at this time I only have a few fish (2 black ice clowns, starry blenny, and an orchard dottyback) and a few snails and hermits. I want to start adding coral I am getting coraline algae growth, I bought a Hanna Alk, and Calcium checker and the Alk has dropped from 7.8-7.2, my Calcium has actually increased from 452 to 541. Any ideas and am I good to add corals.

 

[ProfessorAronnax]

Have you added anything or done anything differently to see a parameter change (different salt mix, new additive)?Wouldn't add coral until things stabilize IMO.

 

[ReefingBliss]

Nothing, tested water Tuesday went out of town came back tested again and that was the number.

 

[stevewright1]

That is a very large fluctuation over a short period of time
you went out of town last Tuesday, so away for 6 - 7 days (Its Tuesday here now)
it could be an error on the testing - either this latest one or the previous one ? that could account for some fluctuation between the 2 numbers
also is your top off water auto or manual ? I have experienced on my own tank in the past, helpful family member topping up evaporated water using water from my salt water mixing tub , thus salinity and other parameters all increased, but not to the extent yours appear to have done

hopefully someone else may chime in with other possible reasons for the seemingly wide swing

 

[Leadfooted]

When your Calcium goes above 500 it burns up ALK fast! I had the same issue. That’s why your Alk dropped. Not sure what’s causing your calcium to raise. Just be sure to only make small adjustments until you figure it out.

 

[ProfessorAronnax]

When your Calcium goes above 500 it burns up ALK fast! I had the same issue. That’s why your Alk dropped. Not sure what’s causing your calcium to raise. Just be sure to only make small adjustments until you figure it out.

Learned something new today!

 

[BeejReef]

My understanding is that calcium and alkalinity can not increase on their own. Unless you're dosing something or did a water change between tests, it almost has to be a testing issue.
Having said all that, I would have swore that my calcium was near 500 (well above the salt mix recipe) for the first month or two. Now it's stable and predictable. Can't explain it.

 

[Crazeh]

As others have said, unless you are adding anything, calcium shouldn't increase on its own. I have never heard of calcium leaching back out of corals or corraline into the water so don't think that's a mechanism for it to increase.

Sounds like a testing error. Check the expiry date of your kit and double test incase it's your method. Goodluck!

 

[ReefingBliss]

Been watching some videos and looks like I am not testing right slight error on my end. I will test tomorrow morning as the tank is at my office.

 

[amazongb]

Hanna calcium checker is known to be problematic.. just use API for calcium, it’s easy and works fine.. Hanna alk checker is spot on..

 

[ReefingBliss]

Yeah I like the Alk checker for sure. Like I said after watching a few videos I think it was a user error I'll update tomorrow.

 

[ScottR]

What kind of substrate are you using? How about dry rock? Aragonite?

 

[ReefingBliss]

Ok definitely looks like it was user error. I was not adding enough sample water.