Calcium reading at about 700

THEACOX88 · Sep 16, 2014

Other than running to get ro water from lfs for water change is there anything I can do to lower this? Just received my api test kits today I'll post my other stats next on here.

Randy Holmes-Farley · Sep 16, 2014

Unless you way overdosed calcium, or the salinity is way, way too high, the calcium measurement is probably an error.

Don't do anything until you confirm it. It does not get that high on its own.

Randy Holmes-Farley · Sep 16, 2014

Some people read their titration kits backwards. To get a very high calcium means you must have added a lot of titrant, maybe even 2 syringes worth for some kits.

THEACOX88 · Sep 16, 2014

I have been dosing calcium because LFS told me to but i ordered kits to check and ya they were messing me up. My salinity is 1.025, pH reading currently at 8.1, phosphate .25

THEACOX88 · Sep 16, 2014

I'll finish other tests in a min

Randy Holmes-Farley · Sep 16, 2014

You would have needed to add a very large amount of calcium.

We can see if it might possibly be that high. It might not.

How much of what were you adding to what size tank?

THEACOX88 · Sep 16, 2014

I'll be back home in 15 min and I'll get you the exact name

Eric B · Sep 16, 2014

Do you have anything in the tank that would use calcium for the need to dose it?

THEACOX88 · Sep 16, 2014

I have 3 corals currently and I'll post a pic right now of what I'm using, I add 5ml once a week on Thursdays when I do my water change.

THEACOX88 · Sep 16, 2014

THEACOX88 · Sep 16, 2014

Also has anyone had problems reading api tests the phosphate and pH have been extremely light colored so far

THEACOX88 · Sep 16, 2014

Ok man you called it even tho I always check my salinity before adding it to tank my salinity is reading at 1.028 currently... I can't get ro for 2 days, should I use tap for now?

MattL22 · Sep 16, 2014

1.028 isn't crazy high for salinity 700 cal is very high though
I once had mislabeled 2 part was adding calcium x2 and cal shot way up into 500s I tried wc they didn't held much I then just added the alk for few weeks till finally the cal dropped back within range then I resumed both parts good luck

Randy Holmes-Farley · Sep 17, 2014

I agree that 1.028 is not that big of a concern. Creatures in the Red Sea are at that salinity or higher. Don't use tap.

Also, normal seawater raised to 1.028 will only boost the calcium from 420 ppm to 445 ppm.

I'd still look for testing error in the 700 ppm measurement.

THEACOX88 · Sep 17, 2014

I'll test again today

THEACOX88 · Nov 25, 2014

Ok I know it's been awhile but I now have a refractometer and it's reading at 1.026 but my calcium is still reading really high. I haven't dosed since I posted this thread what else could be the issue

ermartin · Nov 25, 2014

Take a sample to your LFS and have them verify your test. Might have gotten a bad kit

JurisHP · Nov 27, 2014

Calcium testing

While we're on the subject, can anyone CLEARLY explain how to use the Seachem ReefStatus Calcium test kit? It is REALLY confusing to me!

Randy Holmes-Farley · Nov 27, 2014

THEACOX88 said:
Ok I know it's been awhile but I now have a refractometer and it's reading at 1.026 but my calcium is still reading really high. I haven't dosed since I posted this thread what else could be the issue

How high? Generally, not adding calcium is the way since elevated calcium doesn't generally cause big problems.

I also agree on double checking the value. It doesn't just get high without overdosing or a bad batch of salt mix.