Calcium reading at about 700

Randy Holmes-Farley · Dec 5, 2014

Well, I don't understand it and think it still is most likely a testing error of some sort. That water would not have calcium that high.

How are you adding alkalinity (what product)?

naecO rM · Dec 5, 2014

My tests results
KH 7.6 dKH
Ca 600.

Randy Holmes-Farley · Dec 5, 2014

naecO rM said:
My tests results
KH 7.6 dKH
Ca 600.

600 ppm is not a big problem. Some salt mixes have as much as 550 ppm.

nicodim55 · Dec 5, 2014

Randy Holmes-Farley said:
Well, I don't understand it and think it still is most likely a testing error of some sort. That water would not have calcium that high.

How are you adding alkalinity (what product)?

Seachem Liquid

nicodim55 · Dec 5, 2014

So guys here's what I did today. I went to the LFS and I asked if I can take a sample of their water so I can test it with my tester (API). I took it home tested it and here are the results:
LFS Cal=500, LFS Alk=10
My tank Cal=780, Alk=9
So with these readings I see nothing wrong with the tester. So, experts what do you guys think the reason for my high Cal?

Randy Holmes-Farley · Dec 5, 2014

nicodim55 said:
Seachem Liquid

Assuming that is Liquid Marine Buffer, I'd stop using that and use an ordinary alkalinity supplement, or a two part additive.

The Liquid Marine Buffer contains calcium, although I doubt it is very much, they do not say.

Randy Holmes-Farley · Dec 5, 2014

nicodim55 said:
So guys here's what I did today. I went to the LFS and I asked if I can take a sample of their water so I can test it with my tester (API). I took it home tested it and here are the results:
LFS Cal=500, LFS Alk=10
My tank Cal=780, Alk=9
So with these readings I see nothing wrong with the tester. So, experts what do you guys think the reason for my high Cal?

I don't know, but if your new salt water tests lower, I'd just do ordinary water changes.

nicodim55 · Dec 5, 2014

Randy Holmes-Farley said:
I don't know, but if your new salt water tests lower, I'd just do ordinary water changes.

My salinity is at 1.025-1.026

nicodim55 · Dec 5, 2014

Randy Holmes-Farley said:
Assuming that is Liquid Marine Buffer, I'd stop using that and use an ordinary alkalinity supplement, or a two part additive.

The Liquid Marine Buffer contains calcium, although I doubt it is very much, they do not say.

Seachem Reef Carbonate

Randy Holmes-Farley · Dec 5, 2014

nicodim55 said:
My salinity is at 1.025-1.026

I meant if it tests lower in calcium.

Randy Holmes-Farley · Dec 5, 2014

nicodim55 said:
Seachem Reef Carbonate

OK, that's fine to use.

fishroomlady · Dec 5, 2014

I'm sure it's not this simple but are you adding too much of the calcium - how are you determining how much to add?

Randy Holmes-Farley · Dec 5, 2014

fishroomlady said:
I'm sure it's not this simple but you're adding too much of the calcium - how are you determining how much to add?

I don't think he is adding any???

fishroomlady · Dec 5, 2014

oh :tongue: well I totally misread that information lol

nicodim55 · Dec 5, 2014

fishroomlady said:
I'm sure it's not this simple but are you adding too much of the calcium - how are you determining how much to add?

I haven't added any Cal in 5 years, my Cal level have always been above normal. On 12/2/14 Cal=820, Alk=9, today Cal=780, Alk=9 it looks like it's going down but like I said I have no SPS's only fishes, softies, anemones, and LPS's. No inhabitants that really need a lot of Cal.

fishroomlady · Dec 5, 2014

I looked back and I thought you had been adding seachem calcium, didn't see it was for alk. Well, that is very weird.......if anyone can help you figure out, Randy would be the guy!