Are high calcium levels a problem?

GordoB · 08-15-2006, 08:29 AM

My Ca levels are up pretty high, and I'm just wondering if that is something I should be concerned about. The link to my tank shows all my corals. I figure it's easier to do that than to list them all. I can't seem to get coralline algae to spread, but I'm not exactly starting with a huge stock of it. The yellow Toadstool on the right hasn't opened in a day or two, but that may be caused by something else.

whatevva · 08-15-2006, 08:30 AM

What is the level? and what is your alk at?

TheAquaman · 08-15-2006, 08:35 AM

Once calcium levels get to a certain point they will percipitate out and you will see what looks to be snow in the tank. I've had calcium levels up to 500 without this happening though.

GordoB · 08-15-2006, 08:51 AM

My level is at or around 560 ppm. I'm not sure what my alkalinity is. I will have to get that tested tomorrow. Haven't seen any precipitation yet, but it sounds like I'll be seeing that soon. I took my water to a LFS to get it tested the other day, because I wasn't sure my test was accurate, but they had the same brand test, and didn't seem to know exactly what they were doing.

Doug1 · 08-15-2006, 09:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GordoB

My level is at or around 560 ppm. I'm not sure what my alkalinity is. I will have to get that tested tomorrow. Haven't seen any precipitation yet, but it sounds like I'll be seeing that soon. I took my water to a LFS to get it tested the other day, because I wasn't sure my test was accurate, but they had the same brand test, and didn't seem to know exactly what they were doing.

Get yourself a Salifert Calcium and Alkilinity test at the bare minimum. A pH monitor and refractometer are invaluable tools as well. All of these levels are tied together, alk,calc,pH esp, without reliable readings its near impossible to dial in optimum levels
pH monitor , calibrated is more reliable than a dye based test kit
most swingarm hydrometers arent acceptably accurate for a reef tank. The Tropicmarin floating hydrometer is not bad, better than swing arms or cheap floaters but for best results you almost need a clear glass cylinder, rather than floating it in the tank

GordoB · 08-15-2006, 09:21 AM

Great info. Thanks!!!

Hendersonracing · 08-15-2006, 09:21 AM

mine is also high....it went down to 585 this morning my ph was still 8.08 and I measured my alk last night @ 9.9 kdh I has small white dots forming in the tank...all the fish are fine my elegance is suffering a bit though for some reason

tashier · 08-15-2006, 10:06 AM

My CA has always seemed to be up around 500 too. Sometimes when turkey basting I see what looks like snow, or maybe its just my aragonite, I dunno. For a while I seemed to have good purple coralline growing but it's seemed to come to a stand still as well. Not sure what the problem is, all my parameters are good 'cept my phos is still around .1. Of course these are Red Sea numbers. Haven't gotten my Saliferts yet. Ugghh.

partobe · 08-15-2006, 01:30 PM

seaham358 · 08-15-2006, 02:07 PM

what kind of salt are you using? some people say the Oceanic salt has very high Ca. I use it and can't get my tank over 400 with out adding ESV bionic. You want too keep your alk and ca balanced, this will help with coraline growth. You def need test kits for ca and alk, the salifert make great kits and there easy to use and giv you numbers to work with.

GordoB · 08-15-2006, 03:27 PM

Sounds like it's test kit buying time. I use Oceanic salt. Thanks for the great advice.

Brad

tashier · 08-15-2006, 04:27 PM

I'm using a 50/50 mix of IO and Seachem right now. Last I tested my MG was around 1300, Alk was 11 and CA was 500.