Help ca too high

[JWorth]

Ca 520
Alk 8-9
Sg: 1.025-1.026

Running my ca reactor at 30 bpm and about 3 drips per second effluent, not sure on ml. Alk isn't bad but I'd rather it be closer to 10 but my ca is way too high. These levels were present before ca reactor was added but the alk was more like 6. Using seachem reef salt. What do I do? No mg test kit.

 

[_Alex_]

i would suggest a magnesium test kit. when one is off it can effect calcium and alk. and honestly 520 really isnt that high. mine got up to 600 one time but my mag was only at 900... once i got magnesium up, coraline algae went crazy and lps took off.

 

[Onedesign1]

Ca 520
Alk 8-9
Sg: 1.025-1.026

Running my ca reactor at 30 bpm and about 3 drips per second effluent, not sure on ml. Alk isn't bad but I'd rather it be closer to 10 but my ca is way too high. These levels were present before ca reactor was added but the alk was more like 6. Using seachem reef salt. What do I do? No mg test kit.

If the calc was at that level before you added the reactor then why did you add the reactor?

If its not snowing in your tank it will eventually be used in the tank. Hows the PH? You can dose ALK if that was your problem and turn off the reactor.

 

[VegasRick]

Nothing to get too worried about and make any drastic changes. Are you seeing calcium carbonate precipitate out? You may have your reactor set too high if so. Are these new setting or is this how it has been running? Adding any other ca or alk supplements? My ca tends to drift down and my alk drifts up using a ca reactor. Have you just started using the ca reactor or Sea Chem salt? What ca and alk levels do you get from fresh mixed batch of your salt? For me TMPro with a lower alk helps balance it out. Once every couple months I have to raise my ca with some ca chloride

 

[JWorth]

I added the reactor bc I was tired of dosing. Without my alk would quickly lower. My mag shouldn't be too low with 10 gal weekly changes on my 125. Reactor has been on for 2 weeks probably and is set pretty low and really just maintains the levels where they are. I would just add more probuffer dKH but I worry about a snow storm. Been using seachem for a few months. And for my levels to be maintained this high, my mag must be high as well. I will be getting a test for it soon.

 

[JWorth]

Also have seen nothing precipitate. Didn't test fresh batch calcium but it reads my kh at 6 but I read an article that this tests wrong and to be accurate you need a total alkalinity with seachem. I have been running the current settings on the reactor for at least a week but te adjustment didn't really budge it. Just slowed te effluent.

 

[VegasRick]

Hmm well I generally won't use any products that you have to use "special" test kits for instead of the kits used by all the other hobbyists. But if your salt mixes with a low dkh (and 6 is low) and you use the reactor to raise it, that might explain why your calcium is above normal. Especially if the salt is also mixing with a high calcium level. IMO you should switch to a different salt

 

[JWorth]

I will be testing a batch today. No way it's 500 plus though I wouldn't imagine.

 

[JWorth]

Come to think of it though, my ca was never that high with regular instant ocean and the same time I switched to seachem, I also stopped dosing 2 part. So logically calcium must be high in that salt. Will post after a bit.

 

[JWorth]

two tests at 1.025 salinity read over 600ppm Ca and I stopped there. Way too high with way too low Alk. Very unbalanced in my opinion. To think that I had read all good reports on this salt is crazy. I was better off sticking with the original Instant Ocean. I will try to do some research on Reef Crystals while trying to get a refund on my huge bucket (just bought a new one, second one I've used)