Calcium problem

[Jim]

Some of you remember that during Next Wave my parameters (especially the CA level) dropped and I lost many of my corals. I had to do mega-doses to get it back up.

After getting it up to where it should be, I increased the drip of CA into my sump using my dosing system. Things started to look up.

Today, I notices a few corals are stressing. Of course, I thought "dang it, my CA must have dropped again".

Testing it -- I determined that it was not even on the chart. But, not too low but too high. OMG! Now my CA must be well over 550.

Suggestions for REDUCING it, now? This is crazy

 

[Guest]

just stop dosing and either do a water change or let it go down naturally. check your alk if it is low bring it back to normal and your calcium will percipitate out.

 

[washingtond]

Also you should keep testing until you know for sure it is stable then spot test at least once a week.

 

[Guest]

Also check your Mg level.

 

[Bubba]

I too had a crash about 2 years ago. I almost lost everything. I concur, water changes, not dosing until the numbers fall in the case of calcium. Heres a link to one of many threads that were helpful to me.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1179702

I am close to you in Arlington and your welcome to stop over to see what I have and do to maintain my tank. But the big key here is stability. Then dosing. Also, dont be so quick to react to minor variations of parameters unless its a critical parameter. Then make the corrections slowly.

 

[Jim]

Thanks for the advice.

Checked the ALK -- 11
Magnesium -- 1700

WOW! Guess my dosers are working -- maybe a bit too much. lol I turned them off yesterday when the CA was so high. Guess I will let them sit idle until the parameters settle down then adjust them.

 

[kraigrrr]

Wow... mag at 1700... do you have sps? I got my Mag over 1500 and had some bleach out on me... how much mag are you dosing ?

 

[Jim]

Yep - that is why I think a few of the sps have bleached

 

[washingtond]

FYI I had my mag at 1600 and did not have any bleaching.

 

[Jim]

Were all your parameters high at the same time, like mine?

 

[DFW]

Hi Jim!

Something I have noticed since using Reefcrystals for about 6 months is high calcium. I mix at 1.026, and the calcium is at 560 ppm. So calcium stays at around 520 a lot in this system. I am thinking about getting a clam, or a big monti that will soak that excess calcium up. Otherwise, maybe I need to change salt? I have quite a lot of it on hand. Every time I do a little water change the calcium goes up. So, water changes may not always bring it down! My tank is using alkalinity, though.

David