Can levels to high

[Aaron88]

Hello, my tank is about 8 months old and lightly stocked with LPS and a couple mushrooms. I have been measuring my Alk and Can levels every 3 days and my Alk will drop from 9.6 to 8.6 but my Ca is at 523 and doesn't drop ever. I use the Hanna Checker for my tests and I use HW-Marinemix Reefer Salt Mix.

Any reason why my Ca won't drop and why it's so high? How do I get my Ca down to around 420ppm.

 

[ZeroShadez]

Are you dosing and calcium?? My guess is the specific corals you have are not using up enough calcium to see a drop

 

[Aaron88]

Are you dosing and calcium?? My guess is the specific corals you have are not using up enough calcium to see a drop

No, I haven't dosed any Ca as I don't need to.

 

[ZeroShadez]

No, I haven't dosed any Ca as I don't need to.

That is interesting. If you've been doing water changes then the level should drop I can't imagine you salt would be that high.

 

[Aaron88]

That is interesting. If you've been doing water changes then the level should drop I can't imagine you salt would be that high.

The HW is rated at 445-450ppm @ 1.025sp. Know any way to get the Ca to drop? Idk if having such high levels of Ca is ok. Alk 9.6, Ma 1400 just Ca is out of line.

 

[littlebeard]

What salt mix are you using? Have you tested a pure batch? It should match with what your salt brand says. That or your ca test kit isn't working

 

[ZeroShadez]

The HW is rated at 445-450ppm @ 1.025sp. Know any way to get the Ca to drop? Idk if having such high levels of Ca is ok. Alk 9.6, Ma 1400 just Ca is out of line.

It's possible that your cal test is off triple check see if your tests are consistent. That much calcium wont cause too much issue maybe some calcium precipitation on heaters and pumps

 

[Aaron88]

What salt mix are you using? Have you tested a pure batch? It should match with what your salt brand says. That or your ca test kit isn't working

Brand is in the 1st post. Fresh batch of salt is within normal parameters.

 

[Aaron88]

It's possible that your cal test is off triple check see if your tests are consistent. That much calcium wont cause too much issue maybe some calcium precipitation on heaters and pumps

I tested with Hanna twice and then check twice with red sea test kit. Readings are almost identical. I thought precipitation would drop levels.

 

[ZeroShadez]

I tested with Hanna twice and then check twice with red sea test kit. Readings are almost identical. I thought precipitation would drop levels.

Precipitation would drop levels so if you not having any precipitation I wouldn't worry I don't think high calcium hasa bad effect on corals

 

[NorthernReefer]

I use the same salt and have had that issue also, even with a clam in my tank. I ended up changing water more frequently and plan to change my salt once my current inventory is gone.

 

[Gtinnel]

I only started to add lps and sps to my tank so my demand is low enough that my auto water change is enough to meet my demand and my alk runs around 8.4 while my Calcium is around 500. From everything I've read even though higher than normal, a little over 500 for calcium is not an issue.

 

[lany2008]

Hello, my tank is about 8 months old and lightly stocked with LPS and a couple mushrooms. I have been measuring my Alk and Can levels every 3 days and my Alk will drop from 9.6 to 8.6 but my Ca is at 523 and doesn't drop ever. I use the Hanna Checker for my tests and I use HW-Marinemix Reefer Salt Mix.

Any reason why my Ca won't drop and why it's so high? How do I get my Ca down to around 420ppm.

Have you ever tested your SALT CA? and PH?

 

[Spare time]

Are you using distilled or RO water for the hanna checker. It needs to have distilled instead of RO if you are currently doing that

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

That calcium level is fine and there is no reason to work to change it. Some salt mixes start that high.

 

[sherb]

That calcium level is fine and there is no reason to work to change it. Some salt mixes start that high.

That's a relief to know. I'm also getting a calcium reading of 520 ppm - using API test though (I know, I know). I thought it might be related to accidentally topping off with saltwater instead of RODI last week.

 

[Aaron88]

Are you using distilled or RO water for the hanna checker. It needs to have distilled instead of RO if you are currently doing that

I've been using my DI water

 

[Aaron88]

That's a relief to know. I'm also getting a calcium reading of 520 ppm - using API test though (I know, I know). I thought it might be related to accidentally topping off with saltwater instead of RODI last week.

That would be a bad day. But easy to find out and to fix.

 

[Aaron88]

That calcium level is fine and there is no reason to work to change it. Some salt mixes start that high.

It starts that high and then stays that high. It may only drop a few points between my weekly water changes.

 

[Spare time]

I've been using my DI water

Switch to distilled water for the test.