High cal and high alkalinity

Trevdawg · Jan 19, 2013

So on my friends tank all he does is water changes every 2/3 weeks and no dosing but his calcium is over 500 and his alk is 13.
75 gal and uses instant ocean salt.

Any thought or recommendations to drop it??

Ecvernon · Jan 19, 2013

What type of test kits is he using to test? What brand is salt mix is he using? Does the fresh mixed saltwater contain high amounts of calcium and alkalinity.

Downbeach · Jan 19, 2013

What does he measure his salinity with? If it's a swing arm type of hydrometer, it could be giving him erroneous readings, and he is adding too much salt mix, which, by extension is also adding too much Ca, Mg and Alk. Better to get a decent refractometer, and some calibration fluid(35ppt). What kit(s) is he using to measure the Ca and Alk with?

Ecvernon · Jan 19, 2013

Regular instant ocean mixes for me at 35ppt with 10-11 alkalinity. And 350 ppm. calcium. Are you using instant ocean reef crystals? They tend to mix higher

Trevdawg · Jan 19, 2013

Love the quick responses!!!!

He does have the float/swing arm hydrometer. We just did it and it is at 1.023.

He only has a test kit for cal and kh, API test kits. They are literally off the charts. For the past few years. He hasn't used any tests or added any chemicals. Just did water changes. I cant add pics of his tank from this iPad but I have posted it in other posts.

The salt, as I said before, is standard Instant ocean. I will have him test the mixed water with salt before his next water change. I will tell him to mix less salt than usual too.

I will be buying the Red Sea reef test kit next week and then try that against his API.

Ecvernon · Jan 19, 2013

I would definitely start with your testing kits. I would recommend Red Sea, salifert, or elos test kits for accurate results. And a refraction yet as previous poster has said. In my opinion API test kits are good for nitrate, ammonia, and nitrite.

Ecvernon · Jan 19, 2013

Sorry I am on a mobile device I meant to say a refractometer

Downbeach · Jan 19, 2013

Is he toping of with RO/DI water or SW? I would get or borrow a good refractometer calibrated at 35ppt (1.026), and check the DT and make up water.

Wesley42079 · Jan 19, 2013

Tell your friend to throw out the API test kits. Those are garbage.

I used API when I first started, then I wised up and got the lore reliable Salifert.

I've never used Red Sea or Elos, but I'm sure they are a whole lot better than API.

Trevdawg · Jan 19, 2013

I can pickup sailfert but it doesn't seem they have a Coral test kit, 3 test kits together. This would help save money, like Red Sea.
I will look online.

Trevdawg · Jan 19, 2013

Downbeach said:
Is he toping of with RO/DI water or SW? I would get or borrow a good refractometer calibrated at 35ppt (1.026), and check the DT and make up water.

Yes he has a 2/3 chamber RO filter and tops off with it, UNMiXED water.
He just told me he has a refractormeter but needs the calibration fluid so i am going to buy him that tomorrow.

Wesley42079 · Jan 19, 2013

Trevdawg said:
I can pickup sailfert but it doesn't seem they have a Coral test kit, 3 test kits together.

Salifert doesn't have a 3 pack like Red Sea.

Get the Red Sea if you want to save a little money, just ditch the API ASAP.

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