Calcium off the charts high

[AaronFReef]

I have two separate salifert test kits reading max for Ca. I tested adding extra reagent 2 and had to add a total of another 0.7 mL (1.7 mL total) to get the color change from pink to blue.

I use the BRS balling hybrid method which is soda ash with Tropic Marin A trace, calcium chloride with Tropic Marin K trace and Tropic Marin part C. I dose to a 220g tank with a 40g sump, around 375 mL each day of each part A and B and 600 mL of part C. On top of that I dose 6.6 liters of kalkwasser mixed at a ratio of 5-6 Tbsp of kalkwasser to 30g of water.

Now I've been reading mac Ca for about a month and turned off Ca two part dosing a week ago. It's still reading max. I've done numerous large water changes as well. Fresh saltwater (instant ocean original) is reading like 300 ppm.

What could be happening here? I've been dropping my calcium and kalkwasser dosing over the las month. Before this it was stable for two years and I've hardly adjusted dosing and haven't modified livestock much or anything.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Have you used the kit some new salt water?

Do you use tap water?

High calcium is not generally a problem if you can maintain alk.

 

[AaronFReef]

New saltwater tested at 300 ppm with the kit.

I use 0 ppm RODI. 7 stage filter and always check the TDS meter.

I'm losing some acros so something is hurting them but it could be that the high Ca came with too much trace being dosed or something odd too.

Thanks, Dr!

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

New saltwater tested at 300 ppm with the kit.

I use 0 ppm RODI. 7 stage filter and always check the TDS meter.

I'm losing some acros so something is hurting them but it could be that the high Ca came with too much trace being dosed or something odd too.

Thanks, Dr!

Elevated calcium is not hurting the acros, but I'm not sure if what you are seeing is a testing issue or real calcium elevation.

no new salt water should have only 300 ppm calcium. What salt mix and salinity?

 

[AaronFReef]

It was instant ocean at 1.025.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

It was instant ocean at 1.025.

That seems unusually low, and I worry that you have a testing issue somehow.

 

[Rappa]

I don't know what to think about the Salifert Calcium test. Mine tests at 300 while my Trident says I'm at 450. Running a GEO Calcium Reactor and supplement with BRS Calcium mix for adjustments every now and then.

 

[AaronFReef]

In the past it's been nearly dead on for five years compared to ICP or at least within 10%.

I would have thought a faulty test as well but I purchased another test to double check and it's also reading the same (max). I'll check the fresh saltwater again with the other salifert test now.

 

[AaronFReef]

I just rechecked using the newer of the two kits and my tank water still reads Max and the new saltwater still reads around 300 parts per million. When I get home tonight I will do a test with 1 ml of tank water and try to get the low resolution higher reading

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Assuming it is actually high for whatever reason, I'd just hold off on dosing any.

 

[AaronFReef]

Thanks! Hopefully that and some water changes will get it back in order before too long.