Calcium swings

[Detroit_aqua]

I have been having some calcium swings in my 180. The tank is around 3 months old. Large fish load, but very very light coral load. The coralline bloom started about a week ago. I am dosing two part using trident controlled dosing. For the most part the daily dose has been around 35-45 ml of BRS two part. What could be causing these spikes and rapid dips? Is this common? I think I have been suffering from too much data, as you can see that the average is 450, which is what I have programmed. I am just not sure what could be consuming 10ppm calcium in 2 hours. Should I have reason to worry?

 

[F i s h y]

I dont have specific answers but ill give you a BUMP so others see this.

 

[blasterman]

Unless you have access to some pretty expensive clinical grade testing gear good look trying to nail calcium levels -/+ 10ppm with any degree of precision. Whatever you are using for testing I would like to see several tests made one after the other and confirm they are all within -/+ 10ppm.

 

[Detroit_aqua]

Unless you have access to some pretty expensive clinical grade testing gear good look trying to nail calcium levels -/+ 10ppm with any degree of precision. Whatever you are using for testing I would like to see several tests made one after the other and confirm they are all within -/+ 10ppm.

Thanks for the response. The trident tests within +/- 0.05 alk and 15ppm calcium, so that may attribute to the swings. I have often verified results with manual test kits and have gotten similar ranges. If i have continued coraline growth, do you think it's safe to write this off as mostly lack of test precision? The tank is only 3 months, have had a couple acros in there for a month or so along with a stylo and some montis, none have shown growth (maybe alittle from the grafted cap) but none are struggling or browning either...

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Exact calcium levels are not important, since they are not limiting for coral growth if you are above 400 ppm. 400-600 ppm is fine.

I'm not sure the movement in the top post is real or test error, but in any case is not a concern.

 

[CollectOyster04]

I wouldn't fret too much about what your seeing. From what I've read from others' advice, it's ok for what your seeing. See a lot of talk with the Trident and calcium readings(especially when reagents get low), but I use my readings just to gauge what's happening in my tank. In my opinion, if the average is where you want to see, then don't sweat it. The game of averages minimizes any outliers. One or two odd readings wouldn't cause me to try and fix anything. If I have any cause for concern, that's when another test kit would come out to double check what my trident is showing. Just from experience in my own tank(just celebrated 1yr in March), parameters were squirrelly for about the 1st 8 months. Now my tank is showing to be more stable. I was like you and started some sps around the 3-4 month mark with low expectations, but knock on wood, I'm extremely excited how my tank has been maturing. Trident just helps me keep on eye for me when I can't be around to test as much as I like.

 

[Detroit_aqua]

Thanks all for the responses. Tough not to obsess over numbers being stuck at home so much these days but this has put me at ease. Enjoy the rest of your weekend!