Calcium Too High

Addicted2ACRO's · Oct 2, 2016

Hello my friend,
My Calcium is too High, how do I reduce it to the proper level?

Thank you

Randy Holmes-Farley · Oct 2, 2016

How high?

Addicted2ACRO's · Oct 2, 2016

600. I use a Hanna Calcium Checker. It reads 600 and that number flashes on the checker display. I measured NSW, that I use for water changes, and it reads the same number.

Bozoman · Oct 2, 2016

How is KH and Mg doing? Also pH and salinity? Are you dosing and how?

Addicted2ACRO's · Oct 2, 2016

KH was a little low, Mg I don't have a reading at the moment. Normally I run it around 1400. pH 8.3 and Salinity 1.025

Randy Holmes-Farley · Oct 2, 2016

Did you dose calcium?

Addicted2ACRO's · Oct 2, 2016

I was, 6ml a day, but I had stopped. My 180 gallon tank is fully stocked with Acro's

drawman · Oct 2, 2016

What brand of salt are you using for water changes? Have you tried to confirm your tests with another kit?

Addicted2ACRO's · Oct 2, 2016

Using NSW. Yes, I also use an API test kit to confirm. The results with the API are about 560

Randy Holmes-Farley · Oct 2, 2016

Whether it is accurate or not, it isn't a big deal. Just don't dose any and let it fall on its own.

Ronald Brown · Oct 2, 2016

I am having the same problem with my calcium, mag. and a dropout on my ph today. I only have a cleaner shrimp, anemone and a live rock in my dt at the moment. my fish have been quarantined for about 2 weeks now. I am not sure what has happened.

FMF0331 · Oct 2, 2016

My Ca was high too, 550 - i didn't do anything to change it. I let the calcium drop on it's own .. let my SPS consume the overage.

Myka · Oct 2, 2016

Addicted2ACRO's said:
600. I use a Hanna Calcium Checker. It reads 600 and that number flashes on the checker display. I measured NSW, that I use for water changes, and it reads the same number.

You're using natural seawater (NSW) and getting a reading of 560-600 ppm Ca? Have you checked salinity with a refractometer? If salinity is proper then it's impossible for Ca to be that high in natural seawater - I don't care what those test kits say!

If you mean new SW, not NSW then what brand of salt mix are you using?

The Hanna Calcium Checker is notorious for giving false high readings due to user error. Could you take a sample to your LFS for checking with an Elos, Red Sea Pro, or Salifert test kit?

Addicted2ACRO's · Oct 2, 2016

I have a Red Sea Pro test kit. I'll try that and see what the results are. I've had that kit for a while now. Do the reagents have expiration dates?

Addicted2ACRO's · Oct 2, 2016

Oh well, I just checked and don't have any Reagent B to perform the test using the Red Sea Pro kit

Myka · Oct 3, 2016

Addicted2ACRO's said:
I have a Red Sea Pro test kit. I'll try that and see what the results are. I've had that kit for a while now. Do the reagents have expiration dates?

Yes they do. I think it says on the outside packaging and nowhere else though. I always write the date on the black box before chucking out the outer cardboard box (that has the expiration on it).

Randy Holmes-Farley · Oct 3, 2016

Ronald Brown said:
I am having the same problem with my calcium, mag. and a dropout on my ph today. I only have a cleaner shrimp, anemone and a live rock in my dt at the moment. my fish have been quarantined for about 2 weeks now. I am not sure what has happened.

I can't really understand what you are saying your problem is. What are the values?