How can I lower Calcium?

MelloW33 · 11/20/2017, 10:20 AM

The calcium in my tank is reading over 600 and has not shown any downward trend over the last few months. I have tested it with the Hanna Calcium checker and the Red Sea Pro test and it was confirmed by my LFS. I am using Reef Crystals salt for my water changes, approximately 20% every 2 weeks.

Any ideas on how to get it down? I am only dosing Alk and Mag, the tank is using about 35ml of Alk per day.

dkh=9
mg=1300
sg=1.025
no3<4
po4=undetectable
ph=7.8

mcgyvr · 11/20/2017, 11:05 AM

Have you tested the salt mix/freshly mixed saltwater?

What specific dosing chemicals are you adding? (brand)

MelloW33 · 11/20/2017, 11:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcgyvr

Have you tested the salt mix/freshly mixed saltwater?

What specific dosing chemicals are you adding? (brand)

I haven’t tested that but can next time I mix some. I’m using the BRS 2-part but have only added Alk and mag. Thanks for the response!

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RobZilla04 · 11/20/2017, 12:28 PM

I suggest spreading out your WC if possible. You're dosing Alk & Mag. So over time the Cal should begin to fall, correct?

Just monitor the nuisance nutrient levels. If they start to rise, do a WC (test the Cal of the mix as mentioned previously).

MelloW33 · 11/20/2017, 12:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RobZilla04

I suggest spreading out your WC if possible. You're dosing Alk & Mag. So over time the Cal should begin to fall, correct?

Just monitor the nuisance nutrient levels. If they start to rise, do a WC (test the Cal of the mix as mentioned previously).

I definitely wouldn't object to doing fewer WC's! Assuming the new water tests at a lower Ca, it should help lower my Ca in the tank by doing them. I've seen some people suggest doing WC's with a salt that has a lower Ca when mixed, I could try that I guess.

Reef Guy 04 · 11/20/2017, 01:03 PM

You should be able to stretch your water changes to 4 weeks if your take is well established and not over populated. Shouldn't have to change salt brands if you happy with it otherwise. As Rob said, just keep an eye on your nutrient levels.

Aslo, you could consider adding more calcium absobing creatures...

bertoni · 11/20/2017, 08:36 PM

The only practical way to lower the calcium level is water changes with a salt at a normal calcium level. I agree with checking some freshly-mixed saltwater. People have had a fair number of issues with bad batches of salt or salt that has settled badly during shipment.

MelloW33 · 11/20/2017, 08:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bertoni

The only practical way to lower the calcium level is water changes with a salt at a normal calcium level. I agree with checking some freshly-mixed saltwater. People have had a fair number of issues with bad batches of salt or salt that has settled badly during shipment.

Thank you sir, I’ll give it a try. Will Ca at 640 adversely impact anything?

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bertoni · 11/20/2017, 09:51 PM

That level should be safe. Personally, I wouldn't worry about it.

Daddi0 · 11/20/2017, 09:57 PM

Keep an eye on the alk and you should be ok.

RobZilla04 · 11/21/2017, 07:08 AM

Keep it simple. Just test your next new batch of salt water when you mix for a scheduled WC. Compare that result to the tank Cal level. If you keep Alk stable, over time it will come down if the NSW Cal value is less than the tank value.

Monkeyfish · 11/21/2017, 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MelloW33

The calcium in my tank is reading over 600...
Any ideas on how to get it down?

Add more SPS

MelloW33 · 11/21/2017, 10:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Monkeyfish

Add more SPS

Haha I added 19 frags last week!

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Daddi0 · 11/21/2017, 12:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MelloW33

Haha I added 19 frags last week!

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I picked a "frag" of Miyagi Tort last week that is as big as your hand and beautiful. The guy that grew it keeps his Calcium at 600.
Cheers!

DarkSkyForever · 11/21/2017, 12:06 PM

If you're dosing Mg and your level is only 1300, could you have perhaps accidentally mislabeled your Mg mix and your Ca mix?

Get a gallon of RO and dump in ~20ml of your Mg mixture and test for Calcium.

MelloW33 · 11/21/2017, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DarkSkyForever

If you're dosing Mg and your level is only 1300, could you have perhaps accidentally mislabeled your Mg mix and your Ca mix?

Get a gallon of RO and dump in ~20ml of your Mg mixture and test for Calcium.

No, no chance of that. My Mag increases appropriately when I dose it.

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11/20/2017, 10:20 AM	#1
MelloW33 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Indiana Posts: 591	How can I lower Calcium? The calcium in my tank is reading over 600 and has not shown any downward trend over the last few months. I have tested it with the Hanna Calcium checker and the Red Sea Pro test and it was confirmed by my LFS. I am using Reef Crystals salt for my water changes, approximately 20% every 2 weeks. Any ideas on how to get it down? I am only dosing Alk and Mag, the tank is using about 35ml of Alk per day. dkh=9 mg=1300 sg=1.025 no3<4 po4=undetectable ph=7.8 __________________ Mark

11/20/2017, 11:05 AM	#2
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	Have you tested the salt mix/freshly mixed saltwater? What specific dosing chemicals are you adding? (brand) __________________ Who me?

11/20/2017, 12:28 PM	#4
RobZilla04 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: St. Augustine, FL Posts: 1,857	I suggest spreading out your WC if possible. You're dosing Alk & Mag. So over time the Cal should begin to fall, correct? Just monitor the nuisance nutrient levels. If they start to rise, do a WC (test the Cal of the mix as mentioned previously). __________________ 90g Mixed Reef

11/20/2017, 08:36 PM	#7
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	The only practical way to lower the calcium level is water changes with a salt at a normal calcium level. I agree with checking some freshly-mixed saltwater. People have had a fair number of issues with bad batches of salt or salt that has settled badly during shipment. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

11/20/2017, 09:51 PM	#9
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	That level should be safe. Personally, I wouldn't worry about it. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

11/20/2017, 01:03 PM	#6
Reef Guy 04 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Avon, OH Posts: 45	You should be able to stretch your water changes to 4 weeks if your take is well established and not over populated. Shouldn't have to change salt brands if you happy with it otherwise. As Rob said, just keep an eye on your nutrient levels. Aslo, you could consider adding more calcium absobing creatures...

11/20/2017, 09:57 PM	#10
Daddi0 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Redwood City Posts: 1,354	Keep an eye on the alk and you should be ok.

11/21/2017, 07:08 AM	#11
RobZilla04 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: St. Augustine, FL Posts: 1,857	Keep it simple. Just test your next new batch of salt water when you mix for a scheduled WC. Compare that result to the tank Cal level. If you keep Alk stable, over time it will come down if the NSW Cal value is less than the tank value. __________________ 90g Mixed Reef

11/21/2017, 12:06 PM	#15
DarkSkyForever Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Minneapolis, MN Posts: 92	If you're dosing Mg and your level is only 1300, could you have perhaps accidentally mislabeled your Mg mix and your Ca mix? Get a gallon of RO and dump in ~20ml of your Mg mixture and test for Calcium.