Calcium Too High

[TimT]

I would use a good quality test kit. I have had good success with Lamotte and Salifert.

Cheers,
Tim

[monocus]

io reef salt has a high calcium to start with-over 500.it also has the highest mag.i almost never have to dose calcium with this salt

[Enigma]

Originally Posted by Aquattro

No, you'd have to completely dissolve a few large corals to bump Ca up noticeably. That salt should sit around what, 420? Going up 100ppm just isn't going to happen without some dosing. Not sure what that supplement is..

Sorry. Forgot to reply to the calcium value (and nope . . . didn't dissolve any large corals!).

Originally Posted by monocus

io reef salt has a high calcium to start with-over 500.it also has the highest mag.i almost never have to dose calcium with this salt

I think it is supposed to be 460-480. I check the bucket last night, but I don't remember what the exact value was.

[Aquattro]

If the salt comes in at over 500 out of the bucket, I'd use a different salt Ideally you want Ca around 400ppm. Anywhere from 380 to 440 is fine, but anything over 440 is pointless, and may be prone to precipitation. Really, IMO, anything over 420 isn't needed if you're running any type of dosing or reactor, or doing frequent water changes.

[MKLKT]

Have you rolled the bucket a bit? If it's standing up the particles can get sifted slightly which will cause the concentration of elements to be a bit off when you're using the salt mix.

[Enigma]

I stirred the bucket, but didn't roll it. Rolling the bucket is a much better idea, I think. I wasn't able to stir very far down into the salt.

I may switch salt.

Is precipitation the only concern? I was concerned that the elevated levels may cause harm.

[FishyFishy!]

Originally Posted by Enigma

I stirred the bucket, but didn't roll it. Rolling the bucket is a much better idea, I think. I wasn't able to stir very far down into the salt.

I may switch salt.

Is precipitation the only concern? I was concerned that the elevated levels may cause harm.

Definitly roll your bucket! Stirring won't do a whole lot because you generally don't go any further than half way down.

[Aquattro]

Originally Posted by Enigma

Is precipitation the only concern? I was concerned that the elevated levels may cause harm.

If levels get too high, and the stars align properly, you can get sudden mass precipitation (looks like a snow storm) and your Ca will drop to stupid low levels. Not a serious problem in itself, but if you're doing a big water change to correct it, and using the same salt, you might go in circles.