Calcium reading at about 700

[THEACOX88]

Other than running to get ro water from lfs for water change is there anything I can do to lower this? Just received my api test kits today I'll post my other stats next on here.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Unless you way overdosed calcium, or the salinity is way, way too high, the calcium measurement is probably an error.

Don't do anything until you confirm it. It does not get that high on its own.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Some people read their titration kits backwards. To get a very high calcium means you must have added a lot of titrant, maybe even 2 syringes worth for some kits.

 

[THEACOX88]

I have been dosing calcium because LFS told me to but i ordered kits to check and ya they were messing me up. My salinity is 1.025, pH reading currently at 8.1, phosphate .25

 

[THEACOX88]

I'll finish other tests in a min

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

You would have needed to add a very large amount of calcium.

We can see if it might possibly be that high. It might not.

How much of what were you adding to what size tank?

 

[THEACOX88]

I'll be back home in 15 min and I'll get you the exact name

 

[Eric B]

Do you have anything in the tank that would use calcium for the need to dose it?

 

[THEACOX88]

I have 3 corals currently and I'll post a pic right now of what I'm using, I add 5ml once a week on Thursdays when I do my water change.

 

[THEACOX88]

 

[THEACOX88]

Also has anyone had problems reading api tests the phosphate and pH have been extremely light colored so far

 

[THEACOX88]

Ok man you called it even tho I always check my salinity before adding it to tank my salinity is reading at 1.028 currently... I can't get ro for 2 days, should I use tap for now?

 

[MattL22]

1.028 isn't crazy high for salinity 700 cal is very high though
I once had mislabeled 2 part was adding calcium x2 and cal shot way up into 500s I tried wc they didn't held much I then just added the alk for few weeks till finally the cal dropped back within range then I resumed both parts good luck

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

I agree that 1.028 is not that big of a concern. Creatures in the Red Sea are at that salinity or higher. Don't use tap.

Also, normal seawater raised to 1.028 will only boost the calcium from 420 ppm to 445 ppm.

I'd still look for testing error in the 700 ppm measurement.

 

[THEACOX88]

I'll test again today

 

[THEACOX88]

Ok I know it's been awhile but I now have a refractometer and it's reading at 1.026 but my calcium is still reading really high. I haven't dosed since I posted this thread what else could be the issue

 

[ermartin]

Take a sample to your LFS and have them verify your test. Might have gotten a bad kit

 

[JurisHP]

Calcium testing

While we're on the subject, can anyone CLEARLY explain how to use the Seachem ReefStatus Calcium test kit? It is REALLY confusing to me!

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Ok I know it's been awhile but I now have a refractometer and it's reading at 1.026 but my calcium is still reading really high. I haven't dosed since I posted this thread what else could be the issue

How high? Generally, not adding calcium is the way since elevated calcium doesn't generally cause big problems.

I also agree on double checking the value. It doesn't just get high without overdosing or a bad batch of salt mix.

 

[THEACOX88]

I'm worried about the salt honestly I'm gonna check it and I might have to get rid of the big bucket of salt