High Alk, Low CA..... What to do ???

[Michiana]

I've got a toadstool acting strangely (no pe) for a couple days, so I thought I'd do a water test........ Tank has been set up approx 3 months...... Ph=7.8, Ammonia=0, Nitrites=0, Nitrates=0, Alk=15, CA=320. Test was taken after 2x400 20K MH's were on 4 hrs.

120g tank, 200+ lbs liverock, skimmer, sump, approx 4-5 soft corals. a handful of shrooms, 2 sailfin mollies.

How do I get the Ca up, and would it be affecting my toadstool (about 10 inches across, and previously looking GREAT), or should I be looking for something else ?

Thanks, Jim

[Warnberg]

Well, first toadstool leathers will just get po'd once in a while, it's usually just before they shed but mine used to do it all the time for no apparent reason. However your pH seems low to me and your alk a little high and as expected with high alk level you have a low calcium level. First thing I would do is see if you have excess CO2 in the tank. Take a cup of tank water and aerate it for about 30 minutes or so then test the pH again. If it comes up dramatically then you have a CO2 problem, best thing to do for that is to aerate the tank or sump somehow and open a window or two if possible for a few hours to let the house (where the tank is) air out. If it doesn't come up significantly then I would look at doing a large water change to get parms back in line rather than trying to add anything.

just my 2 cents.

[prow]

yup low Ca will slowly kill it. your ph is also low but it is somewhat compensated by your high alk. i would geuss your ph is really dropping at nite.
try adding turbo Ca to bring your Ca and alk into balance. then start dosing with a balanced sup. here is a link for ya to help you get things balanced and corrected. hope it helps.
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/nov2002/chem.htm
here is one that might help you pick the best way, for you, to dose.
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/feb2003/chem.htm

[Michiana]

I wouldn't think I have a CO2 problem as I have 2 powerheads pointed up agitating the tank surface (makes nice ripple lines with MH's), and 2 cooling fans in my hood which is eggcrate top & back. I add 1 1/2 - 2 gallons top-off water everyday. But it's possible I guess........

What can I use to raise my CA quickly, but not "too" quickly ?????

[Warnberg]

CO2 build up has nothing to do with water movement, it can happen from just being in a closed room with several people in it (people use O2 and expell CO2) however to answer your question, I would use Kents Turbo Calcium to raise your calcium level if that is what you want to do.

Here is a calculator to tell you how much it will require to get your calcium up to the desired level.

http://www.kademani.com/reefchem.htm

[lgerold]

Wow! Is that Alk or DKH?

[Warnberg]

Originally Posted by lgerold

Wow! Is that Alk or DKH?

Umm, FYI... alk is measured in ppm or dKH

dKH is Degrees of Carbonate Hardness

[Witfull]

soft corals such as leathers dont care aboout Ca levels. youre Ca level is close to NSW and i dont think that is the main issue here. pH and alk is. i would start with a 20% water change after testing the replacement water for pH and alk.

what type of substrate do you have? also check for any dead spots in the back of the tank for any waste build up. this will cause a pH drop.

[Michiana]

Aragonite / live sand substrate........ No dead spots, rock is off substrate with pvc / eggcrate & hidden powerheads to eliminate dead spots..... I'm thinking it has to be Ph / Co2 giving me grief.........

I'm thinking 20 gal water change & Kalkwasser drip.......

Any ideas ?

[lgerold]

<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=4 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=alt2 style="BORDER-RIGHT: 1px inset; BORDER-TOP: 1px inset; BORDER-LEFT: 1px inset; BORDER-BOTTOM: 1px inset">Originally Posted by lgerold
Wow! Is that Alk or DKH?

</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>Umm, FYI... alk is measured in ppm or dKH

dKH is Degrees of Carbonate Hardness
__________________

I knew that about the alk/dkh, but the value was so high it astonished me. There were no units, so I wasn't sure.

[Witfull]

make sure you test the make-up water first.

[bluespotjawfish]

Alk may be at 15 just from using tap water with a salt mix (generally chemically structured for balancing RO water). Mine was always at 17 when I used tap water.

I thought Kalk wasn't supposed to be used unless your alk and calc were in balance with each other first. If WC doesn't help bring them in balance (lower alk, raise calc), shouldn't he raise the calc first with a one part formula, then let it come down together?

Have you checked the Magnesium too? What is your salinity?

[prow]

Originally Posted by bluespotjawfish

I thought Kalk wasn't supposed to be used unless your alk and calc were in balance with each other first. If WC doesn't help bring them in balance (lower alk, raise calc), shouldn't he raise the calc first with a one part formula, then let it come down together?

yup, your right. because adding a balanced additive "kalk" you will still have the imbalance and that will effect your poh one way or the other. i still say what i said before
use turbo Ca to bring things into balance. while your doing that read the links i gave. i think they will answer all your questions. follow the links within the article, you will find all kinds of use full info.

[lgerold]

How is the toadstool today?