Help! Calcium low, Mag High and ALK High

[goldhopper]

My levels were very good but something is haywire. I use nopox, carbon and GFO. My levels are:

Phosphates - .25
Nitrite - .04
Nitrate - 5.0
Calcium - 250
Magnesium - 1500
Alkalinity 14.6
PH - 8.0
Salt - 1.024

I also use Kalk which is connected to my ATO and I have a CO2 scrubber. I have an APEX which changes out 3 gallons of saltwater per day. I just turned off my ATO and I will do a 20 percent water change. Does anyone have any suggestions on why Magnesium and Alk are high and Calcium low. Any suggestions?

Thanks!

 

[Crabs McJones]

How old is the tank? More concerning to me is you're registering nitrite. A fully cycled tank should have 0 nitrite and 0 ammonia. Did you test ammonia at all?

 

[goldhopper]

How old is the tank? More concerning to me is you're registering nitrite. A fully cycled tank should have 0 nitrite and 0 ammonia. Did you test ammonia at all?

Yes Amonia is zero. The tank is 8 months old.

 

[goldhopper]

Yes Amonia is zero. The tank is 8 months old.

The nitrite was zero and nitrate was lower but it went up when I started feeding my tank Reef roids mixed with reef chili twice a week. I probably feed my fish too much and have cut back

 

[Crabs McJones]

What test kit are you using? To be dosing kalk and doing automatic water changes I can't imagine how your calcium could get so low

 

[goldhopper]

What test kit are you using? To be dosing kalk and doing automatic water changes I can't imagine how your calcium could get so low

I am using Salifert for Calcium, Nitrite and Nitrate and Hanna for Alk

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

The calcium value is almost certainly an error. I cannot see how you can get to that value with what you are doing.

Are you sure you are not reading the syringe backwards?

 

[goldhopper]

The calcium value is almost certainly an error. I cannot see how you can get to that value with what you are doing.

Are you sure you are not reading the syringe backwards?

I am sure but that being said I will to to the LPS today and have them double check me.

 

[goldhopper]

I am sure but that being said I will to to the LPS today and have them double check me.

I bought the IDIP system which will be delivered on Tuesday so that hopefully my numbers can be exact. I hate comparing colors or looking at a syringe drop by drop. Hopefully it is a better and more accurate system

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Try your test it on some new salt water. What brand are you using?

 

[goldhopper]

I am using Red Sea Coral Pro

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I am using Red Sea Coral Pro

I expect the real value is in the 400's.