Calcium at 750

recole · 12-10-2008, 09:28 AM

My calcium level is sitting at 750. I know this is high but everything in my mixed reef 75 gal tank is doing well. Should I slowly decrease this level to get it down? By the way, if anyone has heard of this, I have been using the GARF "bullet proof" addition of chemicals for quite some time with good results. Hard to keep PH up though (now at 8.0). and alk is about 7-8 KH. All other readings are good.

Dentoid · 12-10-2008, 09:39 AM

I would suggest having that test done again with a different or newer test kit. Ca is no longer dissolvable in saltwater above 500ppm at average alkalinity. You would have Ca powder all over your tank at 750ppm!

BigAl07 · 12-10-2008, 09:56 AM

I believe at 750 you'd have a "Snow Storm" in your tank.

Dentoid · 12-10-2008, 10:49 AM

Not unlike the dusting we recently had in Northern Virginia!

chipmunkofdoom2 · 12-10-2008, 10:59 AM

Calcium, pH and alkalinity are so closely related that a calcium level that high would indicated a serious problem. Try a different test kit if everything else seems normal.

prow · 12-10-2008, 12:54 PM

yep retest...........

Boomer · 12-10-2008, 01:23 PM

I agree with the retest but you can get Calcium that high with no snow storm. With an alkalinity of 8 dKH and a pH 8.0 you can achieve, without any snow-storm, Caclium levles of 800 ppm. Now, you jack that pH up or the Alk it is now another issue. The rate of precipitation would be similar to Calcium at 500 ppm, alkalinity at 13 dKH and pH 8.0. So, what ever you do recole, DO NOT raise the pH above 8 or the Alk above 8 dKH.

recole · 12-10-2008, 01:59 PM

Thanks to all, I'll retest with a standard (assuming I have one). This test kit cost me a small fortune. Hope it's reliable.

BigAl07 · 12-10-2008, 02:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boomer

I agree with the retest but you can get Calcium that high with no snow storm. With an alkalinity of 8 dKH and a pH 8.0 you can achieve, without any snow-storm, Caclium levles of 800 ppm. Now, you jack that pH up or the Alk it is now another issue. The rate of precipitation would be similar to Calcium at 500 ppm, alkalinity at 13 dKH and pH 8.0. So, what ever you do recole, DO NOT raise the pH above 8 or the Alk above 8 dKH.

Thanks Boomer. I did not know that.

See I learn new stuff every day around here (hourly actually).

Great input Boomer

Boomer · 12-10-2008, 02:33 PM

Al

Randy kinda show his here but many miss it. It is called Omega Values

Go here

Calcium and Alkalinity by Randy Holmes-Farley - Reefkeeping.com

Then scroll down to where you see this

Ω = 1 (risky: dissolution of aragonite begins here)

Do not take these as face values. Chris Jury, who will be working on his Ph.D in the coral calcification chemistry, tells me these are some what in error.

lcstorc · 12-10-2008, 03:04 PM

So should it be done? I am guessing not, so how should it be corrected if at all?

Dentoid · 12-10-2008, 04:01 PM

Recole, what brand test kit were you using when you got 750?

recole · 12-10-2008, 09:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dentoid

Recole, what brand test kit were you using when you got 750?

Seachem ReefStatus calcium kit. What do you think? Good or bad kit?

W Churchill · 12-20-2008, 12:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by recole

Seachem ReefStatus calcium kit. What do you think? Good or bad kit?

I use salifert, it only reads up to 500

nicoleblkwidow · 01-03-2009, 03:03 PM

I would retest with another kit, have another reefer test or take some water to your local LFS for test. What salt are you using? We have been through this too and it's frustrating.

12-10-2008, 09:28 AM	#1 (permalink)
recole Fire Coral Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 81 View Gallery Karma Komment	Calcium at 750 My calcium level is sitting at 750. I know this is high but everything in my mixed reef 75 gal tank is doing well. Should I slowly decrease this level to get it down? By the way, if anyone has heard of this, I have been using the GARF "bullet proof" addition of chemicals for quite some time with good results. Hard to keep PH up though (now at 8.0). and alk is about 7-8 KH. All other readings are good.

12-10-2008, 09:56 AM	#3 (permalink)
BigAl07 Reef Nerd :) Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Waynesville, North Carolina Posts: 24,074 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Calcium at 750 I believe at 750 you'd have a "Snow Storm" in your tank. __________________ > > > >Read ME < < < < when you're in need of answers or help with your tank. *Live Rock Rubble will do the SAME thing as Bio-Balls and is NOT a suitable replacement for BIO-BALLS in a Reef System! It's ALL gotta go!!* Nitrate (NO3) reduction is directly proportional to percentage of Water Change. Ask me about how to increase your REEF budget without going without FOOD!! Big Al's 10g.... BigAl's Slow 90g Tank Chronicle.... Allens OFFICE 12g Nano-Reef.... DIY LED Fixture - Allens OFFICE 12g by chipmunkofdoom2

12-10-2008, 10:59 AM	#5 (permalink)
chipmunkofdoom2 Reef Lobster Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Stewartstown, PA Posts: 1,689 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Calcium at 750 Calcium, pH and alkalinity are so closely related that a calcium level that high would indicated a serious problem. Try a different test kit if everything else seems normal. __________________ DIY LED Retro I like to glue animals to rocks and put disturbing amounts of electricity and saltwater next to each other.

12-10-2008, 12:54 PM	#6 (permalink)
prow Tridacna maxima Join Date: May 2005 Location: Redondo Beach, CA Posts: 4,728 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Calcium at 750 yep retest........... __________________ "He who sees things grow from their beginnings shall have the finest view of them" ........Aristotle........ "The only difference between me and a madman is that I'm not mad." - Salvador Dali my chronicle........ http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...al-system.html my clamicle..........http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...my-tank-d.html

12-10-2008, 01:23 PM	#7 (permalink)
Boomer Reef Sanctuary's Mr. Wizard Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Duluth, Minnesota Posts: 2,648 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Calcium at 750 I agree with the retest but you can get Calcium that high with no snow storm. With an alkalinity of 8 dKH and a pH 8.0 you can achieve, without any snow-storm, Caclium levles of 800 ppm. Now, you jack that pH up or the Alk it is now another issue. The rate of precipitation would be similar to Calcium at 500 ppm, alkalinity at 13 dKH and pH 8.0. So, what ever you do recole, DO NOT raise the pH above 8 or the Alk above 8 dKH. __________________ Boomer Want to Talk Chemistry ! The Reef Chemistry Forum Want to See More ! The Coral Realm If you See Me Running You Better Catch-Up An explosion can be defined as a loud noise, accompanied by the sudden going away of things, from a place where they use to be.

12-10-2008, 01:59 PM	#8 (permalink)
recole Fire Coral Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 81 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Calcium at 750 Thanks to all, I'll retest with a standard (assuming I have one). This test kit cost me a small fortune. Hope it's reliable.

12-10-2008, 02:33 PM	#10 (permalink)
Boomer Reef Sanctuary's Mr. Wizard Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Duluth, Minnesota Posts: 2,648 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Calcium at 750 Al Randy kinda show his here but many miss it. It is called Omega Values Go here Calcium and Alkalinity by Randy Holmes-Farley - Reefkeeping.com Then scroll down to where you see this Ω = 1 (risky: dissolution of aragonite begins here) Do not take these as face values. Chris Jury, who will be working on his Ph.D in the coral calcification chemistry, tells me these are some what in error. __________________ Boomer Want to Talk Chemistry ! The Reef Chemistry Forum Want to See More ! The Coral Realm If you See Me Running You Better Catch-Up An explosion can be defined as a loud noise, accompanied by the sudden going away of things, from a place where they use to be.

12-10-2008, 03:04 PM	#11 (permalink)
lcstorc Sunshine Reefer Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Cocoa Fl Posts: 26,482 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Calcium at 750 So should it be done? I am guessing not, so how should it be corrected if at all? __________________ Peace LYNN Lynn and Franks saltwater adventure Lynn's 20g clown tank Lynn's 90g of sunshine Lynn's frag tank experiment A reef tank is like a race car. The faster you go the harder you crash.

01-03-2009, 03:03 PM	#15 (permalink)
nicoleblkwidow Sea Pen Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Queen Creek, AZ Posts: 325 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Calcium at 750 I would retest with another kit, have another reefer test or take some water to your local LFS for test. What salt are you using? We have been through this too and it's frustrating. __________________ Nicole Xenia and GSP are evil

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