High Calcium and Ph

sbrotty · 01/07/2019, 12:11 PM

I was dosing calcium due to a reading of 350. After dosing an amount to increase my calcium to 450 over three days I did another test it read 350. Bad test kit I suspect. My new test kit reads 520. Ph runs from 8.24 to 8.41, Kh is 6, Mag 1420. I’m looking for suggestions, Help and prayers to balance out my tank.
Total system is 300 gallons using reef crystals.

outssider · 01/07/2019, 06:50 PM

calcium is high but not a catastrophe ….let it come down on it's own ...

Magnesium is a bit high but it will come down on it's own also...

alkalinity can be fixed by adding baking soda...it wont increase ph

bertoni · 01/07/2019, 07:34 PM

I agree that the calcium level is safe enough as is. Some salt mixes come at that level. I'd just wait. ph in the 8.2-8.4 range is very good, and few people are lucky enough to have tanks that run at that level. Is this tank in a house?

sbrotty · 01/07/2019, 08:18 PM

Thank Outssider if I add baking soda would it raise calcium. Am I still able to add any fish invertebrates or corals to the tank.

sbrotty · 01/07/2019, 08:24 PM

Thanks Jonathan yes my tank is in my basement. I was just about to place an order before I noticed my high calcium.

bertoni · 01/07/2019, 11:04 PM

Well, you are luck with that pH.

Baking soda won't raise the calcium level. It's a fine alkalinity supplement. Fish and corals will be fine with the calcium level, as well.

sbrotty · 01/08/2019, 02:19 PM

Thanks again

bertoni · 01/08/2019, 10:15 PM

You're welcome.

sbrotty · 01/10/2019, 03:56 PM

Wow a $2 dollar cure baking soda, thanks for all the help, five tablespoons over two days kh is @ 8. calcium is still high but ill let it drop on its own. Ya'll guys are the Best.

bertoni · 01/10/2019, 11:21 PM

I'm glad you're making forward progress.

01/07/2019, 12:11 PM	#1
sbrotty Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Southern Maryland Posts: 14	High Calcium and Ph I was dosing calcium due to a reading of 350. After dosing an amount to increase my calcium to 450 over three days I did another test it read 350. Bad test kit I suspect. My new test kit reads 520. Ph runs from 8.24 to 8.41, Kh is 6, Mag 1420. I’m looking for suggestions, Help and prayers to balance out my tank. Total system is 300 gallons using reef crystals.

01/07/2019, 06:50 PM	#2
outssider Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Reseda, Ca. Posts: 1,717	calcium is high but not a catastrophe ….let it come down on it's own ... Magnesium is a bit high but it will come down on it's own also... alkalinity can be fixed by adding baking soda...it wont increase ph __________________ Please don't feed the bears because the bears will become dependent on free handouts and forget how to take care of themselves …... Current Tank Info: 75 Gal. Mixed reef mostly sps

01/07/2019, 07:34 PM	#3
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	I agree that the calcium level is safe enough as is. Some salt mixes come at that level. I'd just wait. ph in the 8.2-8.4 range is very good, and few people are lucky enough to have tanks that run at that level. Is this tank in a house? __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

01/07/2019, 11:04 PM	#6
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	Well, you are luck with that pH. Baking soda won't raise the calcium level. It's a fine alkalinity supplement. Fish and corals will be fine with the calcium level, as well. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

01/08/2019, 10:15 PM	#8
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	You're welcome. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

01/07/2019, 08:18 PM	#4
sbrotty Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Southern Maryland Posts: 14	Thank Outssider if I add baking soda would it raise calcium. Am I still able to add any fish invertebrates or corals to the tank.

01/07/2019, 08:24 PM	#5
sbrotty Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Southern Maryland Posts: 14	Thanks Jonathan yes my tank is in my basement. I was just about to place an order before I noticed my high calcium.

01/08/2019, 02:19 PM	#7
sbrotty Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Southern Maryland Posts: 14	Thanks again

01/10/2019, 03:56 PM	#9
sbrotty Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Southern Maryland Posts: 14	Wow a $2 dollar cure baking soda, thanks for all the help, five tablespoons over two days kh is @ 8. calcium is still high but ill let it drop on its own. Ya'll guys are the Best.

01/10/2019, 11:21 PM	#10
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	I'm glad you're making forward progress. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni