newtomarine
Community Member
How do I bring my calcium and kh levels down
Levels are too high
- Thread starter newtomarine
- Start date
- Tagged users None
OP
OP
newtomarine
Community Member
No am not mate
The first step is assume all test readings are subject to misreads, I have to say take no action until you get a second test kit brand and avg the two. Are your tests Api brand
Salt mixes produce varying levels, none lethal we can't be sure the current levels require changing. Post full tank shot pics
Salt mixes produce varying levels, none lethal we can't be sure the current levels require changing. Post full tank shot pics
OP
OP
newtomarine
Community Member
Yes I am using api test kits
OP
OP
newtomarine
Community Member
OP
OP
newtomarine
Community Member
640 on calcium and over 200 on kh
No known salt levels mix to that, currently just don't take readings using Api is simplest fix for you. Keep salinity and temp right, change large vol of water any time a dosing counter action is being contemplated only from test kits
It's ok they are a staple in the hobby but they are better used in a different way: use a precision test kit to make accurate readings, then calibrate your Api particulars to what a powerful test kit says and don't make early test interpretations from anything less than red sea or salifert ideally.
In the meantime if you are dosing nothing, the levels varying aren't a big deal and aren't those levels above, even though the vials seem to indicate it.
Simply hold course and change more percent water than normal until precision testing is had. Even slight procedural variances google searches will show alter a given Api reading even if same test kit, among two different testers (meniscus, shaking times, and more)
Hold course and change more percent water until non api assessments are completed. We must not chase api readings
It's ok they are a staple in the hobby but they are better used in a different way: use a precision test kit to make accurate readings, then calibrate your Api particulars to what a powerful test kit says and don't make early test interpretations from anything less than red sea or salifert ideally.
In the meantime if you are dosing nothing, the levels varying aren't a big deal and aren't those levels above, even though the vials seem to indicate it.
Simply hold course and change more percent water than normal until precision testing is had. Even slight procedural variances google searches will show alter a given Api reading even if same test kit, among two different testers (meniscus, shaking times, and more)
Hold course and change more percent water until non api assessments are completed. We must not chase api readings
Nice tank! That sums it up via pics imo
Do as much vol water change as you are willing to do, matching temp and salinity. Suck out most of the sand that you can get to and rinse it hard outside the tank, back to white and then reinstall it (thin sandbeds are easy to work with) the sand will look brand new and have no waste, no clouding, and still retain its bacteria after the rinse.
the corals you have are forgiving of every known brand of water used.
Regardless of your overall export modes chosen, it's worth it currently not owning Api test kits until they're refined. Any data they generate is wrong and only a benchmark (a correct reading now doesn't mean a correct reading in June of next year for example) we can see from search results, it's not anti Api stance it's merely an aggregation of many api threads to steer tank concerns into overdoing export, water changes, preferable to any single parameter tweaking for the ends you want.
if less water changes and parameter detailing is your mode we should invest in salifert, simple as that
Do as much vol water change as you are willing to do, matching temp and salinity. Suck out most of the sand that you can get to and rinse it hard outside the tank, back to white and then reinstall it (thin sandbeds are easy to work with) the sand will look brand new and have no waste, no clouding, and still retain its bacteria after the rinse.
the corals you have are forgiving of every known brand of water used.
Regardless of your overall export modes chosen, it's worth it currently not owning Api test kits until they're refined. Any data they generate is wrong and only a benchmark (a correct reading now doesn't mean a correct reading in June of next year for example) we can see from search results, it's not anti Api stance it's merely an aggregation of many api threads to steer tank concerns into overdoing export, water changes, preferable to any single parameter tweaking for the ends you want.
if less water changes and parameter detailing is your mode we should invest in salifert, simple as that
Last edited:
OP
OP
newtomarine
Community Member
Ok will do thanks people
dbrewsky
Active Member
Hello,
I do agree that API test kits are not going to be nearly as reliable for reef keeping needs as brands such as Salifert or Red Sea.
My recommendation is attempt to purchase new test kits and re-evaluate. If you have access to a quality reef store they can test your water in a pinch and confirm this with you as well.
Since you are not dosing any supplemental chemicals to boost these levels, it is highly unlikely that those levels even exist, and even the "reef" salts that do elevate those levels would still be substantially lower than this. You would also potentially see visible precipitation of calcium carbonate in the tank on heaters and pumps, which are not visible in your picture.
Once you confirm those that you have elevated levels of Calcium and Alkalinity there are 2 general ways to correct these levels gradually:
1- let it drop gradually over time on its own if the animals otherwise seem fine
2- do small, semi-frequent water changes over a week or so with a salt mix that is known to have lower alkalinity and calcium levels.
One important thing to understand in reefing is that the best way to reset your parameters is to utilize water changes. Make sure you are accurately mixing your saltwater with a refractometer while heating to match your current tank. The % of the water that you change and how frequently will determine how fast tank parameters are reset.
This will also assist with reducing some of the nutrients that are fueling the algae growth in the tank. I would not recommend sand removal and washing at this time personally.
Good luck to you and let us know if you need further assistance.
I do agree that API test kits are not going to be nearly as reliable for reef keeping needs as brands such as Salifert or Red Sea.
My recommendation is attempt to purchase new test kits and re-evaluate. If you have access to a quality reef store they can test your water in a pinch and confirm this with you as well.
Since you are not dosing any supplemental chemicals to boost these levels, it is highly unlikely that those levels even exist, and even the "reef" salts that do elevate those levels would still be substantially lower than this. You would also potentially see visible precipitation of calcium carbonate in the tank on heaters and pumps, which are not visible in your picture.
Once you confirm those that you have elevated levels of Calcium and Alkalinity there are 2 general ways to correct these levels gradually:
1- let it drop gradually over time on its own if the animals otherwise seem fine
2- do small, semi-frequent water changes over a week or so with a salt mix that is known to have lower alkalinity and calcium levels.
One important thing to understand in reefing is that the best way to reset your parameters is to utilize water changes. Make sure you are accurately mixing your saltwater with a refractometer while heating to match your current tank. The % of the water that you change and how frequently will determine how fast tank parameters are reset.
This will also assist with reducing some of the nutrients that are fueling the algae growth in the tank. I would not recommend sand removal and washing at this time personally.
Good luck to you and let us know if you need further assistance.
OP
OP
newtomarine
Community Member
Thanks you dbrewsky
Untamedrose
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- May 8, 2016
- Messages
- 794
- Reaction score
- 600
Well this might be a no duh....but what kind of water are you adding to the tank?
OP
OP
newtomarine
Community Member
I use ro water with instant ocean salt
