Low Alk, High Calcium, dose Tropic AFR?

[Nami]

I have a 30 gallon tank with a small carpet anemone and a few soft corals, no SPS yet but planning to get a tridacna clam.

I tested my ALK and Calcium, 6.3dkh and 500ppm CA. I have been doing 20-25% water change monthly with LFS seawater.

Is there a need to supplement a higher dkh for the current inhabitants as well as the eventual clam.

I'm thinking of AFR for simplicity.

Thank you.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

It’s fine to use AFR now, or you can use just an alk supplement for a while until calcium declines.

I’d aim to keep 7 dKH min. You value is likely fine, but in case there is some testing error, keeping it a bit higher is best.

 

[Nami]

Thanks Randy, noted, I was not sure how addition of AFR will affect the high calcium levels in the tank.

 

[trlotlo]

I have a 30 gallon tank with a small carpet anemone and a few soft corals, no SPS yet but planning to get a tridacna clam.

I tested my ALK and Calcium, 6.3dkh and 500ppm CA. I have been doing 20-25% water change monthly with LFS seawater.

Is there a need to supplement a higher dkh for the current inhabitants as well as the eventual clam.

I'm thinking of AFR for simplicity.

Thank you.

I have this very same issue. I have a 35 gallon. My alk says 6.0 dkh and my calcium says 555 (used Hanna checker that I just received) also retested with Salifert and it wasn't changed to all blue yet when I ran out of the regiment in the syringe. So I am assuming Hanna is accurate.
I want to raise that alk but I'm afraid dosing AFR will make calcium higher. Suggestions would be appreciated by anyone.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Thanks Randy, noted, I was not sure how addition of AFR will affect the high calcium levels in the tank.

If alk is 6.3 dKH and you want 7 dKH, the 500 ppm calcium will rise to 505 ppm if you make that correction with AFR, and stay about there as you use it to maintain calcium and alk.

AFR is very slightly imbalanced to too much calcium (just like kalkwasser) and will over a long time slowly raise calcium more, unless water changes prevent that rise.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I have this very same issue. I have a 35 gallon. My alk says 6.0 dkh and my calcium says 555 (used Hanna checker that I just received) also retested with Salifert and it wasn't changed to all blue yet when I ran out of the regiment in the syringe. So I am assuming Hanna is accurate.
I want to raise that alk but I'm afraid dosing AFR will make calcium higher. Suggestions would be appreciated by anyone.

Same answer to you: it won't raise calcium appreciably.

That said, I'd use that calcium kit on some new salt water to see if it is reading reasonably, assuming you do not know the reason calcium is at the high end.

 

[trlotlo]

Same answer to you: it won't raise calcium appreciably.

That said, I'd use that calcium kit on some new salt water to see if it is reading reasonably, assuming you do not know the reason calcium is at the high end.

No I have no idea why the calcium is so high. I am currently making saltwater so I will check it when I get the correct salinity. Thanks so much for your reply

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

No I have no idea why the calcium is so high. I am currently making saltwater so I will check it when I get the correct salinity. Thanks so much for your reply

You’re welcome. It may just be a testing issue.