High calcium. Will it hurt my corals?

[saullman]

I consider myself a newbie when it comes to anything corals. I have never treated for the big 3 or really dosed anything before. A few days ago I treated the calcium and it was low (365 ppm) so I took a sample of water to my life and they got 378 ppm so I knew it was low. I used the brs calcium chloride calculator and dosed the amount it told me over 2 days. It was a large amount ( I forget how much). Now I have the complete opposite problem with my calcium levels being too high. I just tested this morning and I was at 490 ppm. The last time I tested was 2 days ago and it was at 475 ppm. Does that even make sense that my calcium levels would increase if I haven't dosed anything??? If anything I thought it would drop in the last 2 days. I'm sure the error here is me and testing.

Anyway, my main question is..........
1- if my calcium is at these levels will it hurt my corals at all?
2- should I just do a water change to bring my calcium levels back down?
Please feel free to chime in with any other advice you may have for a newbie like me.

 

[Webslinger]

1 what corals?
2 yes

 

[SPR1968]

It could easily be test error, so just let it drop naturally over the next week or so, you should be fine.

Whenever you dose something to increase, maybe do it in smaller amounts as it’s always easier to add more, rather than try and lower it back down.

 

[Bosreef]

Doing WC prob won't lower that calcium level depending on salt brand. Most salts mix to our "desired" levels.

 

[saullman]

Doing WC prob won't lower that calcium level depending on salt brand. Most salts mix to our "desired" levels.

Ok. Thanks for telling me. I’m almost due for my monthly water change anyway.

 

[saullman]

It could easily be test error, so just let it drop naturally over the next week or so, you should be fine.

Whenever you dose something to increase, maybe do it in smaller amounts as it’s always easier to add more, rather than try and lower it back down.

Yeah, I just learned my lesson the hard way. It was the first time I ever dosed anything in the tank. I broke up the dosage into 2 parts, but I guess not small enough. Oh well, next time.

 

[saullman]

1 what corals?
2 yes

Lps and softies.

I will be doing my routine water change in a few days anyway as part of my monthly maintenance. That should help.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

490 ppm calcium is perfectly fine and is not cause for any type of corrective action.

 

[saullman]

490 ppm calcium is perfectly fine and is not cause for any type of corrective action.

Ok. I’m a newbie so I don’t know any better. I was just worried that it might affect my corals negatively. Thanks for the reassurance.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Ok. I’m a newbie so I don’t know any better. I was just worried that it might affect my corals negatively. Thanks for the reassurance.

You're welcome.

You may find these useful. Some are getting a bit dated, but most of the info is still good.

The "How To" Guide to Reef Aquarium Chemistry for Beginners

The “How To” Guide to Reef Aquarium Chemistry for Beginners Part 1: The Salt Water Itself by Randy Holmes-Farley - Reefkeeping.com

The “How To” Guide to Reef Aquarium Chemistry for Beginners Part 2: What Chemicals Must be Supplemented by Randy Holmes-Farley - Reefkeeping.com

The “How To” Guide to Reef Aquarium Chemistry for Beginners Part 3: pH by Randy Holmes-Farley - Reefkeeping.com

The “How To” Guide to Reef Aquarium Chemistry for Beginners Part 4: What Chemicals May Detrimentally Accumulate by Randy Holmes-Farley - Reefkeeping.com