Calcium Too High

[Enigma]

So, my calcium is too high again.

This makes me nuts. Calcium is up (520) Mag is down (1100). KH has dropped to 6 dKh.

I use Instant Ocean Reef Crystals, and I added several LPS just over a week ago. Calcium has gone UP since I added the LPS, and mag and carbonate hardness have dropped.

I can not get this figured out.

Advice/suggestions please!

[Aquattro]

My advice is to get it tested with another kit. Ca can't really go up, certainly not by that amount (assuming you're not dosing or supplementing).

[Enigma]

There is no way that the LPS could be losing calcium and it is leaching into the water?

I use Aquavitro Fuel on occasion.

I use the API calcium test, the API carbonate hardness test, and the ELOS Magnesium test. I'll pick up a new calcium test. My calcium routinely tests high, but it was testing at more reasonable numbers for a couple of weeks.

[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..

[cale262]

Originally Posted by Enigma

...

I use the API calcium test, the API carbonate hardness test, and the ELOS Magnesium test. I'll pick up a new calcium test. My calcium routinely tests high, but it was testing at more reasonable numbers for a couple of weeks.

I don't know why but I never had any real luck with API test kits, maybe there's a reason that they're inexpensive. I'm currently using ELOS/Hanna with good results.

[Enigma]

From what I've been able to learn from a websearch, the API test kit can produce very different results from other test kits.

Is it worth getting the Hanna monitor?

I use the IO Reef Crystals as well and was testing with the API kit. I was also showing 500+ results. I then bought a Salifert and the test result was the same. I have a nano and do weekly 30% water changes. This is a normal calcium level for me over the past year. But then again, I'm using regular tap water as well.

[Enigma]

Hmm. I'm using ro/di and I test the ppm of each batch before use. It usually tests "0" and never more then "5."

[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