need a little help explaining what is going on with my alk/calc!

[Woodneers]

Are these swings too big? The rise in alk was a Saturday water change but what is with the calcium? Im gonna run every calcium test kit i have tonight and see if the trident is just way off but it seems like no matter what i do the calcium doesn't drop. I have done several 20-30% water changes in the last couple weeks trying to get nitrates down. Running fritz blue box. Is there something i am doing wrong here? corals seem to be happy at the moment but are these parameters within safe limits at least. I usually arbitrarily try to keep Alk-8.6 calcium-480 and mag 1440 roughly. What i could use is a clear cut plan to nailing these parameters down to a rock solid state!

75 gallon with 26 gallon sump
Salinity:35ppt salinity probe needs replace but i measure daily with a calibrated refractometer
temp:78
Nitrate: 12 and slowly falling
Phosphate : .15

a bunch of rock
a few fish
6-8 zoa frags and 2 mushrooms
Not running any dosing pumps at the moment

 

[Dr. Dendrostein]

I notice, you said, bunch of rock. Everything else you can control EXCEPT, the rock, maybe leaching, just a guess. Others will comment.

 

[PBnJOnWheat]

Are these swings too big? The rise in alk was a Saturday water change but what is with the calcium? Im gonna run every calcium test kit i have tonight and see if the trident is just way off but it seems like no matter what i do the calcium doesn't drop. I have done several 20-30% water changes in the last couple weeks trying to get nitrates down. Running fritz blue box. Is there something i am doing wrong here? corals seem to be happy at the moment but are these parameters within safe limits at least. I usually arbitrarily try to keep Alk-8.6 calcium-480 and mag 1440 roughly. What i could use is a clear cut plan to nailing these parameters down to a rock solid state!

75 gallon with 26 gallon sump
Salinity:35ppt salinity probe needs replace but i measure daily with a calibrated refractometer
temp:78
Nitrate: 12 and slowly falling
Phosphate : .15

a bunch of rock
a few fish
6-8 zoa frags and 2 mushrooms
Not running any dosing pumps at the moment

Typically alk swings are due to magnesium deficiency. But if you’re Mg is above 1200 then you should be good. Looks like the water changes might have influenced the Ca levels. Which would be my guess as to why the Kh spiked. I’d do a manual Ca, Kh, and Mg test consistently.

 

[PBnJOnWheat]

I notice, you said, bunch of rock. Everything else you can control EXCEPT, the rock, maybe leaching, just a guess. Others will comment.

Is that real?

 

[Woodneers]

The system is almost 3 years old. it could be and i considered that at one point just dont think rock would be effecting it like this

 

[Dr. Dendrostein]

Is that real?

Lollipop tunicates, hard to get now.

 

[Woodneers]

if it is real then we need to find it and grow it! its awesome!

 

[PBnJOnWheat]

Lollipop tunicates, hard to get now.

If I see one I’d buy it without hesitation.

 

[Dr. Dendrostein]

The system is almost 3 years old. it could be and i considered that at one point just dont think rock would be effecting it like this

You do know some rock takes 5 or more years to stop leaching?

 

[Fishfinder]

I don’t see any issues with you no3 or calcium. It’s a little high but what does your fresh saltwater measure at?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

There's no problem with calcium at 520-540 ppm. I would just not dose any until it drops.

 

[Woodneers]

Tested my tank yesterday for calcium levels. Trident is way off! I tested twice with a redsea kit and came up with 440. I will obviously have to calibrate this thing and get it on the right track but can yall suggest some supplements to maintain these current values? I was looking into All For Reef but have never used a formula like that before.