Calcium levels over 600.......what is best to do?

[The Grizz]

Originally Posted by Smudge

I just went through the same thing with my Red Sea Test Kit. My readings were 380 and I was increasing my dosing. In the end I was well over 500 and my kit still read 380. I stopped dosing and it took over 2 weeks for the level to drop to 400. New Red Sea Test kit compares to my Salifert one now. Mine was not in the recall range as well.

I would suspect the Red Sea kit if my other kits readings where different but they where exactly the same.

Tested again after my water swap with all 3 kits, all read 500.

Also checked the expire date on all the kits as well, not even close to the date of expire.

Will do another water swap tomorrow night.

[don.ald]

What salt brand are you using?

I am setting up a new system using IO and have high readings.

[neoh]

From my understanding, high levels of calcium do not cause adverse effects on anything except on inverts. Corals can only absorb so much. With a high alkalinity, it can be a problem - but if your alkalinity is fine, I don't think there is much to worry about, except for calcification doing damage to pumps and equipment.

If you do a dramatic decline in calcium, you would also see a decline in alk.

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-06/rhf/index.php

You are much more educated on the subject than I am. However; the article above might help your mind ease regarding the increase.

[The Grizz]

Originally Posted by don.ald

What salt brand are you using?

I am setting up a new system using IO and have high readings.

Using Reef Crystals as always