High calcium reading?

C

cfrobin

Hello Everyone-

I need some help/opinions on why my calcium is high. I just did a round of tests today and am confused on why my calcium is high and what effects this might cause? Here are my results from the test I did today;


ph= 8.1
temp= 81
salinity= 1.025
alk= 3 meg/l
calcium= 645
mag= 1350

I did a 20% water change 2 days ago with Kent salt. This is the same bag of salt I used to mix the last water change a month ago and tests were fine. I have always used Kent. No new additions of corals or fish to the tank. I do drip kalk in a Kent 5 gallon top off system. Mixture is 1.5 tbsps per gallon in top off that is dripped 24/7 at about 1 drip every 3 seconds. I have looked on RC and our board, but have not found anything on this. Please help........ :?

Thanks in advance,
Chris
 
No other additives of any kind are being added or dosed?

Any chance your test kit is expired and giving you a false reading? Have you tested a new batch of saltwater just to see what level you are getting right out of the bucket?
 
Marc-

I did dose a cup of Kent Marine Superbuffer last night to increase my PH. I tested the RO/Di I have been using and it had a reading of 5.0 PH. After dosing the Pinpoint gave me a reading of 8.1 (have also recalibrated the pinpoint last week). Other than the reefbuffer and Kalk no other additives.

I use SeaTest kit and the Exp. is May/07. I did 2 tests to make sure and it came out the same. I do question the ability to know when the test actually turns "true blue" but they tested the same @ 645. :?

I have not tested a batch of fresh saltwater mix. I used what was left in the last bag, but will test the new batch that I make before I add to the tank. I am just confused on why every other batch I have made with this bag did not have any issues?

Thanks for the help........any other ideas or something I can do? Should I try to raise the Alk a little?
 
Your pH reading of the RO/DI water is inaccurate. pH probes and test kits don't give accurate readings because RO/DI water is pure (ion-free).

I don't use buffers in my water before using it. Not even for top off. The saltmix should have its own buffers, and after it has mixed for 24 hours, you can test it then for pH and buffer it up if still see the need.

Your Alk reading isn't that low. It is 8.6 dKH, and the range is 8 to 11 so if you want to bump it up a little more you can. If you stop dripping kalk, the calcium level will drop gradually, but your pH will drop as well. Opening doors and windows in the near future now that we have cooler weather, you'll see the pH rise in your tank nicely. It will take a few hours to take effect, but it does work. My tank suffers from low pH because the house is closed up to keep the rooms cool.
 
Try another test kit. If it really is that high just let it come down. Depending on how many stonies/clams your tank has then it could take a few days or weeks to come down to natural levels but if nothing is stressed out don't worry about it to much.

I really doubt it's the salt but to test mix up like a cup at 1.025 and stir it and let it sit for a couple hours then stir it some more and test and see what you get from the salt itself.
 
Marc-
Thank you I was not aware of the inaccuracy of the RO/DI test with the probes. :shock: I did not use the buffer in the salt mix, but with a cup of fresh with 1 tsp of buffer added to the sump last night.

I have noticed that my PH raised last week when we opened the house to the nice cool weather. I will try doing this again as long as the gods give us good weather again!

Keith-
I will pick up another test kit tomorrow. As far as the stock, I can say I have about 20 frags /small colonies of SPS (if memory serves me right 10 from you :lol: ) no major problems except for a blue tip stag that decided to STN this morning. I have since fragged and moved to the frag tank. I will do the test you have recommended on the next batch of salt I mix in 2 weeks.

By the way how is Atlanta? I hope it is treating you well! :D

Thanks!
 
Don't forget to check your magnesium!!!!!!!

Why; read the link

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/oct2003/chem.htm
 
Ryan,
His mg was 1350, right on track.

Chris, I can't remember at what level that ca precipitates out, but I would think that at 645, your tank would be a little cloudy.

How's your bottle brush that you got from Keith doing? Mine is doing great, starting to really purple up.

Chris
 
Ryan-
As Chris already stated I did test my Mag and came up with 1350. This was another reason I was so confused. :?

Chris-
The tank doesn't appear to be cloudy, but I have noticed the glass & PH's getting dirty quicker. I was not able to get another test kit yesterday, but am on the way out to pick up another today. Still confused, but will do some more tests and see if I can narrow it down.

My bottle brush started off like a champ, but growth has slowed down a little. The tips have really purpled up though. :D Glad to hear yours is doing well. Thanks for the feedback.

Chris
 
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