Calcium Issues: Its like my reef is not using any!

[Jwils27]

Calcium Issue: My reef is barely using calcium. I had an issue not long ago where the calcium got sky high around 550+. It dropped my Alk to 5.5. I lowered it slowly with water changes using IO salt and raising the alk in the mix. I got it down to 475ish. I caught it quick and only lost 1 frag. : }

I am currently dosing sachem part 2. I was dosing equally but my ca usage is not even close to my alk. It has been around 2 weeks and I have not dosed CA. It seems to be hovering around 450 using red sea test kit. Alk still requires around 60ml of Part 2 to stay stable around 8 DKH.

The rest of the picture. Phosphates are 0.00 with hanna and Nitrates are 10 with salifert. My corals look great color and PE. Things are still growing. I have a 4ft 150. Lots of flow 2 mp 40's, 1 mp 10 behind rock, and 2 big gyre's at the top. Lighting is a little lacking and my be part of the issue. I have two xr15's and 4 blue+ in a Hybrid. Thanks for any advise.

Picture of my tank and achilles for attention : )

 

[JPergamo]

What is your magnesium at? Mag can play a big role in balancing alk and cal.

 

[Jwils27]

What is your magnesium at? Mag can play a big role in balancing alk and cal.

Mag is high 1600 tested with red sea test kit. Im not dosing mag either it is in the seachem part 1.

 

[JPergamo]

Mag is high 1600 tested with red sea test kit. Im not dosing mag either it is in the seachem part 1.

Yea thats high but I dont see that causing any issues. Maybe you have just been over-dosing calcium half of the 2 part. I would raise alk slowly over a week or so and maintain it while monitoring calcium and let it fall naturally to desired level. Then just adjust both doses separately to establish what you are using. I've never like the 2 part systems where it just tells you how much of one to dose based on the other. Work them independently, just my 2 cents. Btw your tank looks excellent.

 

[Jwils27]

Yea thats high but I dont see that causing any issues. Maybe you have just been over-dosing calcium half of the 2 part. I would raise alk slowly over a week or so and maintain it while monitoring calcium and let it fall naturally to desired level. Then just adjust both doses separately to establish what you are using. I've never like the 2 part systems where it just tells you how much of one to dose based on the other. Work them independently, just my 2 cents. Btw your tank looks excellent.

Thanks... that is where I am at too. I've been doing that for the last two weeks checking every night. I figure it will eventually even out. I appreciate the compliment as well I am planning a big upgrade at one point. I have learned my lesson about 2part though. and I agree with you they need to be treated seperatly.