High Calcium

[Redbarnreefer]

Since starting my tank ~ 6 months ago my cal levels have been between 450 and 500. At one time venturing higher than 500. The only way to substantially reduce cal is via WC. While a tank that makes it's own cal sounds cool, I can't figure out why I'm dosing 20-40 ml of BRS alk a day and have cal that rises over the course of the week. I'm wondering if I have some other funky process going on that is giving me false high readings or ???

Tank info:
200g DT
Alpha 250 skimmer
2l zeovit
filter socks changed biweekly
AC in a reacter
As far as zeo dosing I checked and was told that none of what I dose contains cal

Current levels as of now are after water change on sat

Salinity 35 ppm
Ph 8.15
Cal 470
KH 7.9
Mag 1400

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

There's no process that adds significant calcium and not alkalinity, except from outside the tank. Tap water and salt mixes can be big sources.

What salt are you using?

FWIW, 500 ppm calcium is fine.

 

[mike007]

As Randy stated 500 will not cause any problems. If you are not dosing a would double test your test results with another source.

 

[Redbarnreefer]

I use basic Redsea salt and ro. I guess im mostly wondering why i am getting such high cal readings when I'm not adding any. And if i am not adding any is my actual cal lower than what i am testing?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Red Sea claims it's basic salt will have about 477 ppm of calcium at 35 ppt, so I don't think having 500 ppm is out of the expected possible range from the mix, and, of course, the test kit likely is not going to be perfectly accurate.

Calcium levels don't matter much as long as they are not too low, so I wouldn't agonize over it.