High Cal... how to lower it?

Rogued_Reefer · Apr 9, 2020

Hello guys!

I have been trying to dial in my tank to stick to kalkwasser only. I accidentally dosed a bit too much calcium about 2 weeks ago which spiked my cal to 597... I been waiting out which has brought it down to 592 but I’m concerned it’s lowering too slow and will cause harm to my corals in the long run...

My alk is 7.6dkh stable with the kalkwasser I’m afraid I know the answer to my own question but I would like to hear it and get some guidance from someone who has gone through it and knows how to deal with it.

Thank you!!

Jenuvio · Apr 9, 2020

I've had high cal in the past... didn't have any corals though, LoL
I waited it out and it stayed solid after.

Never heard of cal being too high.. with side affects.
If possible do a 50% water change. That should drop it to the low 500's but if your dosing it might make everything out of wack!... idk keep us updated!

Miller535 · Apr 9, 2020

If it was 2 weeks ago and everything is doing ok, I would just slowly lower it with your normal water changes.

Hydrored · Apr 9, 2020

I wouldn’t worry about, I've never seen an impact to any coral in my system from high calcium

35ppt · Apr 9, 2020

Last time I moved I had a mishap where I had to use water that had Ca of 700 and Alk of 16 or so. Tank was fine overnight and I lowered it to ~600 the next day with water from a LFS and I let it drop naturally from there, took a few weeks IIRC to drop back to normal levels but nothing was effected negatively. I would discontinue dosing to let it drop. But start dosing Alk to keep that stable.

/Tank had mostly LPS with a couple easy SPS.

Rogued_Reefer · Apr 9, 2020

Thanks to everyone!

So the best route should be to stop doing kalkwasser and just dose alk until I get cal to the desired level correct?

Miller535 · Apr 9, 2020

mario4933 said:
Thanks to everyone!

So the best route should be to stop doing kalkwasser and just dose alk until I get cal to the desired level correct?

Definitely.

BeejReef · Apr 9, 2020

^^ agree. baking soda ftw. Somewhere between 4 days and two weeks should get your calc down... depending on your overall consumption.

Rogued_Reefer · Apr 9, 2020

BeejReef said:
^^ agree. baking soda ftw. Somewhere between 4 days and two weeks should get your calc down... depending on your overall consumption.

What do you mean by Baking soda?

Randy Holmes-Farley · Apr 9, 2020

mario4933 said:
What do you mean by Baking soda?

just that, in your kitchen. Sodium bicarbonate.

Rogued_Reefer · Apr 9, 2020

Randy Holmes-Farley said:
just that, in your kitchen. Sodium bicarbonate.

I’m sorry I’m not familiar with the use of baking soda in reef tanks. I’ll go ahead and look it up.

Rogued_Reefer · Apr 9, 2020

Ok i see now! That’s a way cheaper way to raise alk and ph! Thanks guys

Randy Holmes-Farley · Apr 10, 2020

mario4933 said:
Ok i see now! That’s a way cheaper way to raise alk and ph! Thanks guys

It boosts alkalinity. It does not boost pH unless you bake it first.

Rogued_Reefer · Apr 10, 2020

Randy Holmes-Farley said:
It boosts alkalinity. It does not boost pH unless you bake it first.

Yeah that’s what I read. If not baked it lowers alk but if baked (soda ash) it boost both. I’m going to give it a shot and report back in a week or two.

Randy Holmes-Farley · Apr 10, 2020

mario4933 said:
Yeah that’s what I read. If not baked it lowers alk but if baked (soda ash) it boost both. I’m going to give it a shot and report back in a week or two.

Baking soda raises alkalinity and gives a very slight initial pH lowering.

Miller535 · Apr 10, 2020

It's not for everyone, but I prefer to use soda ash (which does raise the ph some) instead of baking the baking soda. Baking your own baking soda is cheaper, but realistically BRS soda ash is pretty darn cheap also, and you dont have to take anything.