dKH and Calcium high

Crotalus

Crotalus

Premium Member
My last water test was strange.  API and Lifegard didn't agree as shown below.  So I bought a couple of Saliferts test to cross check.  dKH 17Calcium over 500. The reason I am concerned is these are the only two water parameters that seem out of whack.  I have Zoanthas from two different stores and after a week they really aren't opening much.  I have a Red People Eater that has been very slow to open.  A Xenia that isn't really growing much.  The Toadstool and a GSP seem fine.  50% water change didn't bring these two numbers down.  Do I just ignore it and wait things out?  Any idea why these would be so high?Thanks>>>>>>>>>The API tests:Nitrate 0Ca 600dKH 15  (Lifegard test strips 7)Phosphate .25pH 8.15Should the high Calcium and Carbonate worry me?  I have a suspicion they are high because of all the crushed coral sand and large dead coral skeletons in the tank.  The only thing I am dosing is iodine.  The 200 gal tank is still lightly loaded.  The Chaeto is growing very well.  It has quadrupled in size over the last month.   I looking for that to bring the phosphate down more.>>>>>>>>>>>
 
Yikes that Alk dkh is pretty high, are you dosing Alk right now?So three test kits showed Alkalinity that high or all say something different?
 
I have taken a sample.  They got the same thing I did.   I'm using Instant Ocean Reef Crystals.  Now that you mention it, that's probably it.  I was about the switch to RPM.  Now is as good a time as any I guess.
 
OK good, glad yall are getting same readings.Have you tested a fresh batch of your saltwater just to see what you get?Love my RPM, for me, would rather dose a little than have levels too high from the get go.
 
I just switched back to Fritz RPM (used a box I got half price during the bus tour) after trying a few different salts and I have to again say how amazed I am with their salt!  This stuff mixes so clean, so fast and is the only salt that doesn't cause my ORP to drop during my 24 hr auto water change!  I dumped 5 gallons in and still didn't see a change.  I used to use Reef Crystals, but wanted to try and keep my alk down so I needed to change it up.  Good luck with the parameters!
 
I'm surprised you have any coral alive.   Mine got up to twelve and it killed several things.  I wouldn't think the salt was the issue unless you got a bad batch.  Any idea what your mag is at?
 
If nothing is dying, I would do small water changes, and let it run its course until you are at your desired parameters.
 
I've had a Zoantha frag die and a Clove is getting smaller.  It started with 9 polyps and is down to 4.  The other two Zoanthas aren't happy.   I just ordered a bucket of RPM.  I'll do a 25% water change first of the week.You may have hit on it, Chris.  My quarantine tank is high also and there's nothing in it.Mark 
 
Cool, was thinking the same. Was told to get there early for the cool pieces or get there at the end for the bargains :)
 
I didn't realize reef crystals mixed so high.  Says it mixes at 13dkh.  Still wonder why yours is even higher than that.I'm headed down to the Houston swap tomorrow.  It is mostly the same vendors that will be here on Sunday so I figure a lot of the good stuff will be bought down there.
 
Our water has always been hard here.  Only 50% of the water in the tank is RO water.  The rest is Tap.  I've only had the filters for about a month.  That could be why it is so high.
 
Could the fact that I have several large coral skeletons and the bottom is covered with crushed coral be making my dKH high?
 
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