High calcium, low alkanity. What should I do?

[Dburr1014]

Is it just the torch not opening?

Torch in a young tank could really be anything.

I think that you're calcium is in error. Probably high but don't think that high.

IMO, I myself, would only add alk after a small water change. (10/20%)

Stop dosing calcium. Buy any brand of alkalinity you feel comfortable with. Your text kit with alk is the most accurate you have. Bump it up 0.5 dkh daily and personally, running the tank between 7 and 8 dkh is fine.
Get a better cal test kit. It will come down on its own but 550 or lower is better. When the test kit comes in you will have better tools to address this.

 

[marcosnano]

Is it just the torch not opening?

Torch in a young tank could really be anything.

I think that you're calcium is in error. Probably high but don't think that high.

IMO, I myself, would only add alk after a small water change. (10/20%)

Stop dosing calcium. Buy any brand of alkalinity you feel comfortable with. Your text kit with alk is the most accurate you have. Bump it up 0.5 dkh daily and personally, running the tank between 7 and 8 dkh is fine.
Get a better cal test kit. It will come down on its own but 550 or lower is better. When the test kit comes in you will have better tools to address this.

Yes, only torch not expanding.

I have this product at home, will this be enough? How much should I dose it daily?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

use PH Up to raise PH and ALK, stop dosing calcium unless actually needed after having it checked by local fish store.
do a 10% water change everyday or week until calcium levels are back in check

There are different products from different companies with different properties all called pH Up.

If you want to use or recommend an alk supplement, I'd recommend stating what it is (sodium carbonate, etc.), that way there is no confusion that someone might use an inappropriate product, or at least stating what brand.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I use distilled or spring water. Is it possible that minerals from spring water can cause this?

Still I think I have to rise Alk and pH, what's the safest way to do it?

Over a very long time, but not in a few weeks.

Don't bother trying to raise alk (and definitely not pH) until you have the calcium level understood and under control.

 

[marcosnano]

Over a very long time, but not in a few weeks.

Don't bother trying to raise alk (and definitely not pH) until you have the calcium level understood and under control.

I'm afraid I'm little bit confused right now. So, no products, only water changes daily until calcium levels are down? For how long? Few moths? Why so long?

 

[Dburr1014]

I'm afraid I'm little bit confused right now. So, no products, only water changes daily until calcium levels are down? For how long? Few moths? Why so long?

You need a better calcium kit.
RHF I think is trying to tell you this.
You should know what parameters are before adding anything.

 

[marcosnano]

You need a better calcium kit.
RHF I think is trying to tell you this.
You should know what parameters are before adding anything.

Got it, I will take water to my LFS to get proper results and I will update you later.

Thanks.

 

[Dburr1014]

Got it, I will take water to my LFS to get proper results and I will update you later.

Thanks.

If they use API also, don't waste your time.
They will get the same results.

 

[marcosnano]

If they use API also, don't waste your time.
They will get the same results.

What is the good digital test kit for all major parameters?

 

[twelvefive]

Hanna for digital
Salifert, NYOS, or Red Sea for analog

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I'm afraid I'm little bit confused right now. So, no products, only water changes daily until calcium levels are down? For how long? Few moths? Why so long?

Right no products, and get a verified calcium result before taking any action.

Testing your new salt water may help clear up the issue.

 

[hexcolor reef]

If your torch isn’t opening, it could be high phosphate levels. Make sure you’re running phosphate remover in your filter. Like PhosGuard or RAWA Phosphate remover. There’s liquid ones as well like Phosphat-E.
keeps phosphate levels below 1.0 and steady around .02.
All in all water changes fixes everything and brings tank back into balance

 

[marcosnano]

Some update:

LFS has only API tests too, so their reading of my calcium is 580.

I did a 20% WC.

Yesterday for the first time after 4 months, I moved my torch coral from sand up to the shelf, and this morning I noticed both heads got 2nd mouth. So, that's a sign of splitting right? How is possible torch to split, but he never fully expanded?

Thanks.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Some update:

LFS has only API tests too, so their reading of my calcium is 580.

I did a 20% WC.

Yesterday for the first time after 4 months, I moved my torch coral from sand up to the shelf, and this morning I noticed both heads got 2nd mouth. So, that's a sign of splitting right? How is possible torch to split, but he never fully expanded?

Thanks.

580 ppm is high, but not high enough to really be concerned. I recommend 400-550 ppm as fine for calcium.

My recommendation at this point is to just maintain alk with a normal alk supplement, and let calcium drop on its own over time.

I can't really comment on what a torch should look like if splitting, etc.

 

[Dburr1014]

Some update:

LFS has only API tests too, so their reading of my calcium is 580.

I did a 20% WC.

Yesterday for the first time after 4 months, I moved my torch coral from sand up to the shelf, and this morning I noticed both heads got 2nd mouth. So, that's a sign of splitting right? How is possible torch to split, but he never fully expanded?

Thanks.

Oh, it was in the sand. Didn't know that. Perhaps the sand was irritating it.
I always recommend to keep them out of the sand just for that reason. They can be on a rock in the sand but not directly in the sand.

 

[AdamR0331]

Hello reefers,

I was adding calcium supliment to my nano reef 12g twice per week and now I have a problem.

ph 7.8
Calcium 720 (?!)
KH 6.1

How should I increase KH and deacrease calcium, and what would be the perfect levels and how should I do safely?

Thank you!

Watch brsTV

 

[David S]

Some update:

LFS has only API tests too, so their reading of my calcium is 580.

I did a 20% WC.

Yesterday for the first time after 4 months, I moved my torch coral from sand up to the shelf, and this morning I noticed both heads got 2nd mouth. So, that's a sign of splitting right? How is possible torch to split, but he never fully expanded?

Thanks.

FWIW
IME Salifert has the most reliable test kit for CA (as a matter of fact for ALK as well).
Having said that, I have had considerable experience with the API test for CA, and it is reliable ( and cheaper too). But I find the Salifert to be a tad better.

 

[marcosnano]

FWIW
IME Salifert has the most reliable test kit for CA (as a matter of fact for ALK as well).
Having said that, I have had considerable experience with the API test for CA, and it is reliable ( and cheaper too). But I find the Salifert to be a tad better.

Thanks. Any recommendation for digital pH tester, I see on Amazon couple of those in $30-50 price range, I wonder which one is a good one?

 

[David S]

Thanks. Any recommendation for digital pH tester, I see on Amazon couple of those in $30-50 price range, I wonder which one is a good one?

Can't really speak for what you see on Amazon, but....
If you are considering getting a Controller, such as Apex; it comes with a PH probe.
It is expensive, though.
I would recommend, a Pinpoint monitor. It should come with a probe and some 7 and 10 (PH) calibration packets. It uses 1 9v battery.
You can get it for under $100. Less when it's on sale.
For a few more bucks, you can get their AC adapter which would enable you to constantly monitor your PH.

 

[MnFish1]

Hello reefers,

I was adding calcium supliment to my nano reef 12g twice per week and now I have a problem.

ph 7.8
Calcium 720 (?!)
KH 6.1

How should I increase KH and deacrease calcium, and what would be the perfect levels and how should I do safely?

Thank you!

double check your test - and if true dose alkalinity as discussed