Calcium, wierd readings

[recoiljpr]

Question for you folks. Now that I feel I'm getting ready to add my first coral (going to be some kind of zoa I've decided). I started testing my calcium the other day in preperation and I ran the test twice because both times my calcium levels read @ 520ppm. My test kit is from a new shipment (but it is API go ahead and boo me now). My alk is registering @ 8 DKH. My SG is running at 1.024 so I don't have high salinity. My last water change was on Sunday (5 gallons out of a 29 gallong biocube). I was using normal tap, but starting last weeking I am using RO/DI water.

Doesn't that Ca level seem really, really high? I don't dose ANY Ca. The only thing I dose now is Buffer when my Alk goes below 8. I also only add one tsp instead of the reccomended 2 because I noticed when I do dose more I get a precipitate cloud (which makes some sense if my Ca is really that high).

Both of the LFS stores here in NB use API so that doesn't help me. Does anyone know of any LFS on the 35 corridor between SA & NB that I can get a water test who do not use API?

Gah, stupid fingers, sorry I misspelled Weird!

[alton]

First what salt do you use (some Brands are bery High), second do you use R/O or tap(tap water sometimes is high in calcium), third mix up a fresh bucket of saltwater and test that to see what it is? Some times batches of salt have extremely high calcium amounts because of the hoopla to have more calcium. If you do not have the right amount of magnesium, calcium can not be used and continues to increase.

[recoiljpr]

First what salt do you use (some Brands are bery High), second do you use R/O or tap(tap water sometimes is high in calcium), third mix up a fresh bucket of saltwater and test that to see what it is? Some times batches of salt have extremely high calcium amounts because of the hoopla to have more calcium. If you do not have the right amount of magnesium, calcium can not be used and continues to increase.

I use Instant Ocean saltwater. I used to use tap but starting my last water change i'm using a Culligan R/O unit that is fed by a Culligan Walter Softener in front of it.

I'll make up a bucket tonight and let you know what it tests at. Hmm, so should I start testing Magnesium? I will not have any LPS in this tank. One day I *may* one day have SPS. But for now I will have zoas, shrooms/ricordia, etc.

[cbianco]

Don't know if this will help but...

1. You need to figure out why the calcium is high to begin with. You have two options if you are not dosing: an incorrect testing kit or your salt mix. It looks as if you are working on this now. As Alton said, test your fresh water and test some freshly mixed salt water.

2. If you felt the need to lower the calcium, you could dose the alkalinity part of a two part additive. The alkalinity will cause the calcium to precipitate out of the water.

3. Magnesium is an important aspect to a well balanced aquarium. From what I understand, magnesium allows the water to hold a higher alkalinity/calcium concentration. IMO, before you start worrying about testing for magnesium, you should probably figure out what is up with your calcium.

4.
...i'm using a Culligan R/O unit that is fed by a Culligan Walter Softener in front of it...

I am not sure how the water softening salt can effect your overall water but this may be your culprit. Testing fresh (unsalted) water will resolve this question.

Keep us updated.

Christopher

[robalv]

if you are only going to have zoas, shrooms/ricordia, etc I wouldnt worry about you calcium and mag levels or even ro/di water for that matter those are very hardy. If you are in the near future thinking about going with SPS then I would do everything even with most LPS your not as tight on your parameters IMO, I use tap

[Bill S]

Um, I'd like to respectively disagree with Rob. Using tap water or softened water can and likely will contribute to some other problems, such as algae blooms. I've also noted high nitrate levels in SA tap water before as well.

[robalv]

ya I agree with SA water sux I live in Cibolo dont have SA water, NB water IDK... I was referring to my experience.

[ballardjr2000]

i live in kingsville and i use tap water though i am in the processes of saving for RO water, my 65g i had in guam i used tap water as well just filtered through a PUR water filter yes RO/DI is great but people have had success with just tap as well, on fishgeeks there is a guy that is keeping his tank fine with just tap water and live rock NO FILTERING. i thought that was crazy. i think the biggest thing with all of it is time and patience

[Bill S]

There are always successful exceptions. For instance, I'm a bowhunter. I enjoy the challenge. If I was just hunting meat, it would make no sense.

However, we are trying to be good husbands of our reefs. That includes providing a decent environment for them - even if it costs a little bit more.

[ballardjr2000]

http://www.ask.com/bar?q=high+calcium+levels+in+aquarium&page=1&qsrc=19&ab=6&u=http%3A%2F%2Ffishinsects.suite101.com%2Farticle. cfm%2Fcalcium_and_the_saltwater_aquarium

http://www.ask.com/bar?q=high+calcium+levels+in+aquarium&page=1&qsrc=19&ab=1&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.aquaristsonline.com%2Fblog%2Faq uarium-equipment%2Fcalcium-reactor%2Fhow-to-maintain-calcium-levels%2F


A little info about it...calcium and levels seems everything your doing is the right way. Goodluck

[robalv]

good stuff ballardjr

[ballardjr2000]

not my writes but i do love ask.com lol

[recoiljpr]

Thanks for the links ballardjr2000! Last night I went test crazy and if anyones interested, here is what I found out. (This is all water taken from my house in New Braunfels we take our water from the Guadalupe river)

Normal Un-softened non RO/DI tap water - 80 PPM
Softened non RO/DI water - 20 PPM
Softened RO/DI water - Less then 20 PPM, turned blue first drop

Calcium with Saltwater

Normal Un-softened non RO/DI saltwater - 480 PPM
Softened non RO/DI saltwater - 400 PPM
Softened RO/DI saltwater - 380 PPM

I did another 5 gallon water change and now my levels are at 480 ppm. So it seems the tapwater changes I had been doing before using RO/DI water were the reason why I had such high calcium levels.

[cbianco]

Thanks for the links ballardjr2000! Last night I went test crazy and if anyones interested, here is what I found out. (This is all water taken from my house in New Braunfels we take our water from the Guadalupe river)

Normal Un-softened non RO/DI tap water - 80 PPM
Softened non RO/DI water - 20 PPM
Softened RO/DI water - Less then 20 PPM, turned blue first drop

Calcium with Saltwater

Normal Un-softened non RO/DI saltwater - 480 PPM
Softened non RO/DI saltwater - 400 PPM
Softened RO/DI saltwater - 380 PPM

I did another 5 gallon water change and now my levels are at 480 ppm. So it seems the tapwater changes I had been doing before using RO/DI water were the reason why I had such high calcium levels.

Good little investigation there. Glad you found your culprit.

Christopher

[jpond83]

i use tap i have ricordea, shrooms, and zoanthids, everything in my tank looks great!

[recoiljpr]

i use tap i have ricordea, shrooms, and zoanthids, everything in my tank looks great!

I ran fairly good for almost 3 months on tap water too. But, my personality is the kind that I don't like knowing why levels are outside of "normal". Call it being anal if you want. :wink_smile:

That's one of the main reasons I decided on RO/DI was to limit the amount of random chemicals in my tank.

Look at the link from NBU water testing http://www.nbutexas.com/PDF_files/NBU%20CCR%2009%20for%20web.pdf

Chloride 17 PPM
Calcium 60.2 PPM (The testing I did showed 80, although I'd trust their numbers more as they use a much better test and better procedures)
Bicarbonates 167 PPM
Copper .008 PPM
Nickel .002 PPM
Sulfates 23 PPM
Chloramine 2.6 PPM