Calcium rising

[btb72]

I have been moving around a few rock that sit on the sand bed by themself. It has stirred up the sand a little and over the last week or so I’ve moved the rocks a little more. On my trident my calcium has been raising little by little while I’m not dosing any calcium at all. Would this be normal when you move your sand around? It isn’t hard and crusty but I also started moving the sand once a huge sheet of coraline algae got knocked off my overflow. So
Maybe it’s the coraline algae cause using the issues.

 

[vetteguy53081]

I have been moving around a few rock that sit on the sand bed by themself. It has stirred up the sand a little and over the last week or so I’ve moved the rocks a little more. On my trident my calcium has been raising little by little while I’m not dosing any calcium at all. Would this be normal when you move your sand around? It isn’t hard and crusty but I also started moving the sand once a huge sheet of coraline algae got knocked off my overflow. So
Maybe it’s the coraline algae cause using the issues.

Possibly but check alk level. Aquariums need a stable balance of calcium to keep a healthy environment for fish and coral. It also helps to maintain the levels of alkalinity, which in turn aid in the balance of the pH levels in the tank. In calcium’s case, it is connected with alkalinity levels. As calcium rises, alkalinity levels tend to drop. At the same time, an increase in alkalinity can decrease calcium. If your calcium levels are too high in your reef aquarium, you run the risk of your alkalinity is too low.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I have been moving around a few rock that sit on the sand bed by themself. It has stirred up the sand a little and over the last week or so I’ve moved the rocks a little more. On my trident my calcium has been raising little by little while I’m not dosing any calcium at all. Would this be normal when you move your sand around? It isn’t hard and crusty but I also started moving the sand once a huge sheet of coraline algae got knocked off my overflow. So
Maybe it’s the coraline algae cause using the issues.

If particulates of sand get into the test it may read false high by dissolving them.

 

[btb72]

If particulates of sand get into the test it may read false high by dissolving them.

Thanks. Even when it tests later in the day still always tests high. But just didn’t know where it would be coming from cause alk is constant at 8.0 and mag is 1320

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Thanks. Even when it tests later in the day still always tests high. But just didn’t know where it would be coming from cause alk is constant at 8.0 and mag is 1320

If particulates are not the issue, it is likely test error or a salinity change.

. Calcium cannot rise on its own. Calcium carbonate sand and rock can very slowly dissolve in low pH zones deep inside, but that boosts alk too (2.8 dKH for each 18-20 ppm of calcium.

The only way around that is to dissolve sand to boost both, then deplete alk to exactly offset it (say, by accumulating nitrate).

Test error/salinity change sounds more likely.

 

[btb72]

If particulates are not the issue, it is likely test error or a salinity change.

. Calcium cannot rise on its own. Calcium carbonate sand and rock can very slowly dissolve in low pH zones deep inside, but that boosts alk too (2.8 dKH for each 18-20 ppm of calcium.

The only way around that is to dissolve sand to boost both, then deplete alk to exactly offset it (say, by accumulating nitrate).

Test error/salinity change sounds more likely.

That’s what I was thinking swapped bottles on the trident and it was back to perfect.