Unexpectedly High Calcium Level?

[joro]

I was getting everything setup today to start dosing BRS 2-Part and ran a full panel of tests to validate current levels to determine how much to dose. Most of the levels were in an expected range; however, my calcium seems to be off the charts at 515ppm! I haven't dosed anything to the system since inception - other than the Red Sea Reef Mature Pro kit to jump start the cycle a few months back - and recently added the first corals, so I was expecting the number to be low honestly. Any ideas what may be going on?

• Salinity - 1.026 SG
• Ammonia - 0 ppm
• Nitrite - 0.2 ppm
• Nitrate - 10 ppm
• pH - 7.6
• Alkalinity - 7.4 dKh
• Calcium - 515 ppm

 

[clownfish chris]

I'm going to keep an eye on this one as I do not have much info. Here are my thoughts though. What salt are you using? What test kit are you using? My first suspission would be with that test kit. Try running it again and see if you get the same number.

 

[joro]

I'm going to keep an eye on this one as I do not have much info. Here are my thoughts though. What salt are you using? What test kit are you using? My first suspission would be with that test kit. Try running it again and see if you get the same number.

I'm using Tropic Marin Bio Actif salt and using a Hanna Checker for the test, good suggestion on running again which I'll do in a bit.

 

[joro]

So just re-ran and it's at 391 which is closer to what I would have expected. It looks like I may have messed up the earlier test but may take one more in a little bit just to confirm the 2nd reading.

 

[justingraham]

Be careful with the hanah calcium checker.
It works but u have to follow the directions exactly. Also what did u use for the de ioinized water?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Even at 500-550 ppm, calcium is fine and no concern.