Calcium

[library 112]

Trying to figure out my parameters and no mater how much I search I can’t find anything about what causes calcium to stay high.

112gal 142gal system
Reef tank 5 months old
Pair of Clowns
1 male 1 female lyertail anthias ( 1 female did not make qt new on the way with a dusky and gold rhombus wrasse)
Parameters
Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0
Mag 1350
PH 8.1
Alkalinity 9
Nitrate 13.2
Phosphate .10
Calcium 510 (been -/+ 500 since I have had my tank)

So it’s the last that my brain is trying to figure out. I use instant ocean purple which has calcium of 400. Everything I read people are dosing calcium moreover I have read to get coraline high calcium will inhibit that?
I’m not extremely concerned about the level just trying to understand it. What could be making it high and will that affect my coraline growth?

Thanks

 

[killer2001]

Test error, 100%.

 

[library 112]

Test error, 100%.

So you’re saying it’s been wrong evertime for 5 months? I’m using the Hanna checkers BTW

 

[killer2001]

If you aren't dosing calcium and only doing water changes, you are doing the calcium test wrong. It's very easy to mess up the hanna calcium test, I've done it a few times when starting out. There are videos online to help fine tune the accuracy of the test.

 

[Reign1]

So you’re saying it’s been wrong evertime for 5 months? I’m using the Hanna checkers BTW

Doesnt sound like it could be that high if you have not started dosing it yet. Are you using RO/DI water w/ the IO salt?
Otherwise I agree w/ killer2001.

 

[Dburr1014]

Trying to figure out my parameters and no mater how much I search I can’t find anything about what causes calcium to stay high.

112gal 142gal system
Reef tank 5 months old
Pair of Clowns
1 male 1 female lyertail anthias ( 1 female did not make qt new on the way with a dusky and gold rhombus wrasse)
Parameters
Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0
Mag 1350
PH 8.1
Alkalinity 9
Nitrate 13.2
Phosphate .10
Calcium 510 (been -/+ 500 since I have had my tank)

So it’s the last that my brain is trying to figure out. I use instant ocean purple which has calcium of 400. Everything I read people are dosing calcium moreover I have read to get coraline high calcium will inhibit that?
I’m not extremely concerned about the level just trying to understand it. What could be making it high and will that affect my coraline growth?

Thanks

Have you actually tested the new batch of water you made for calcium? I would start there.

 

[library 112]

Doesnt sound like it could be that high if you have not started dosing it yet. Are you using RO/DI water w/ the IO salt?
Otherwise I agree w/ killer2001.

Yes make my own rodi using purple lid instant ocean

 

[Dan_P]

So you’re saying it’s been wrong evertime for 5 months? I’m using the Hanna checkers BTW

What type of freshwater is being used in the calcium test?

 

[library 112]

What type of freshwater is being used in the calcium test?

The bottle of distilled that came with the kit.

 

[Pod_01]

It is possible that the Hanna tester is wrong/ defective.
But I would try some of the other suggestions first especially the fresh batch. Maybe different test kit…

Just to confirm your calcium level has been +/- 500 from the start…

 

[vetteguy53081]

Can be false readings
salt mix
Higher than normal alk
Coral not consuming much CA

Test calcium next time you make water before placing in tank and see what reading you get.

 

[crazyfishmom]

The Hanna calcium tester is difficult to use and prone to testing error. More likely than not you’re consistently making the same error that leads to consistent results every time.

I agree that you should test a batch of fresh saltwater, that should be right around where expected if testing error is not to blame.

 

[Dan_P]

The bottle of distilled that came with the kit.

I didn’t know that it did. Most be something new.

Very small contamination of calcium can give high results.

 

[Reign1]

Yes make my own rodi using purple lid instant ocean

I setup my tank w/ that @close to the 12 week mark and Ca had been around 400 .. I have been having to dose now last 2 weeks or so as it had dropped as low as 350.
Something isn’t right .. test your water change water see where Ca is @

 

[CoralCrafted]

ICP Test, 30$. Get a REAL baseline number, Then just use that against hanna, Lets say its 450 and hanna is 510 then just know your hanna reads high, I honesty don't like hannas for that reason but consistency is more key than perfect water in my opinion.

 

[gbroadbridge]

The bottle of distilled that came with the kit.

That must be new.
Is the DI water labelled HI70436M?

I'd suggest ensuring that you are using the Micropipette correctly and not pushing it all the way down when you are taking the aquarium water sample.

 

[KrisReef]

That must be new.
Is the DI water labelled HI70436M?

I'd suggest ensuring that you are using the Micropipette correctly and not pushing it all the way down when you are taking the aquarium water sample.

That's what I was doing wrong the first few times I used Hanna to measure calcium.

 

[Dburr1014]

That must be new.
Is the DI water labelled HI70436M?

I'd suggest ensuring that you are using the Micropipette correctly and not pushing it all the way down when you are taking the aquarium water sample.

I never heard of DI water coming with the kit either.

OP, can you tell us how you test calcium step by step?

You are using RODI or distilled in the first step? Are you using the correct pipette to pull sample water? (not plunging it all the way down to collect, only to first step of plunger)
So many questions...


EDIT: no where can I find that distilled water comes with the kit. And even on the website for Hanna, they have instructions where to buy water.(number 2 in the instructions)

 

[library 112]

That must be new.
Is the DI water labelled HI70436M?

I'd suggest ensuring that you are using the Micropipette correctly and not pushing it all the way down when you are taking the aquarium water sample.

Out of town now till Wednesday, to get the number of the bottle. I did watch a few vids on the tester and I could be using the micro pipet wrong. Doing a test with it on a batch of saltwater and the tank when I get home to see if its user error.

When watching the videos I saw the micro pipet had a small attachment and don't feel that I have that need to see if I do. And yes check on plunging all the way down, this is a very likely possibility . Hoping that the only issue, I have some calcium to does on stand by if I am actually really low.

 

[Dburr1014]

When watching the videos I saw the micro pipet had a small attachment and don't feel that I have that need to see if I do. And yes check on plunging all the way down, this is a very likely possibility .

Ah, yes. Only push to first stop when collecting. Push all the way to second stop when putting the collected sample into the vile. This will evacuate all the water from the pipette.