After water change: Alk 8.6, Ca 700+ - What To Do?

[Rovert]

A recent water change (about 40 gallons) with different salt mix (Reef Crystals) bumped my Alk and Ca way up, pH still a bit low at 7.8-ish. After a week, Alk is diminishing - now at 8.6dKh, but Ca is still over 700ppm, Mg 1450, pH isn't breaking 8 at any time of the day. Should I be dosing baking soda to even things out, then wait for consumption to drop everything down and fire up the CaRx to maintain?

 

[((FORDTECH))]

A recent water change (about 40 gallons) with different salt mix (Reef Crystals) bumped my Alk and Ca way up, pH still a bit low at 7.8-ish. After a week, Alk is diminishing - now at 8.6dKh, but Ca is still over 700ppm, Mg 1450, pH isn't breaking 8 at any time of the day. Should I be dosing baking soda to even things out, then wait for consumption to drop everything down and fire up the CaRx to maintain?

Retest I’m not sure how you got 700 calcium out of instant ocean when he claims 480 Max

 

[((FORDTECH))]

Test your freshly mixed Saltwater also

 

[Rovert]

Retest I’m not sure how you got 700 calcium out of instant ocean when he claims 480 Max

Good point, but I don't have a separate kit, I'm running a Trident. The only thing that changed was the mix. Had been using Tropic Marin Pro previously.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

I fully expect it is test error.

 

[Rovert]

I fully expect it is test error.

I'll use the calibration solution and see what happens. Stand by...

 

[((FORDTECH))]

Good point, but I don't have a separate kit, I'm running a Trident. The only thing that changed was the mix. Had been using Tropic Marin Pro previously.

Omg you didn’t say trident at first. This is definitly testing error!!!

 

[((FORDTECH))]

Having issues with one of my Tridence as well I know my calcium cannot be zero

 

[Reef Jockey]

i also use RC and have never seen CA that high before.
I tested a fresh mix if RC and Alk-12.5, CA-480, Mag-1480

 

[Rovert]

Just calibrated my Trident last night, as of today values are
Alk 8.22
Ca 557
Mg 1488
pH 7.83

Would y'all suggest bumping up Alk/pH with some baking soda to even things out?

 

[((FORDTECH))]

Just calibrated my Trident last night, as of today values are
Alk 8.22
Ca 557
Mg 1488
pH 7.83

Would y'all suggest bumping up Alk/pH with some baking soda to even things out?

Or letting cal and mag slowly drop while you do nothing except keep alk stable

 

[((FORDTECH))]

PH may be a little low alkalinity looks to be in a sweet spot to me

 

[Cali Reef Life]

Just calibrated my Trident last night, as of today values are
Alk 8.22
Ca 557
Mg 1488
pH 7.83

Would y'all suggest bumping up Alk/pH with some baking soda to even things out?

I don't know what you are trying to be at for ALK? I keep my alk between 8-8.5 goes up and down very slowly as I adjust my doser to coral needs. My secret to higher PH is an open window even better if you have 2 open.

 

[Rovert]

I don't know what you are trying to be at for ALK? I keep my alk between 8-8.5 goes up and down very slowly as I adjust my doser to coral needs. My secret to higher PH is an open window even better if you have 2 open.

That would definitely be the first choice, but my tank seems to consume more alk than the others. I'll wait it out for a number of days and track it to see what happens.

 

[((FORDTECH))]

By the way my issue was a clogged supply line

 

[Rovert]

By the way my issue was a clogged supply line

Had this problem, too. You can buy new lines (and other parts) from Neptune here:

Products

Neptune Systems

shop.neptunesystems.com

 

[((FORDTECH))]

Had this problem, too. You can buy new lines (and other parts) from Neptune here:

Products

Neptune Systems

shop.neptunesystems.com

Yes I ended up using a syringe with a metal needle tip and pushed hot water through it which blew it out

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Just calibrated my Trident last night, as of today values are
Alk 8.22
Ca 557
Mg 1488
pH 7.83

Would y'all suggest bumping up Alk/pH with some baking soda to even things out?

Not sure what “even things out” means, but I’d set your desired alk for reasons unrelated to current calcium, magnesium, or pH levels.

 

[Rovert]

Not sure what “even things out” means, but I’d set your desired alk for reasons unrelated to current calcium, magnesium, or pH levels.

I'm planning on running my CaRx (a vintage Korallin 1502) and my concern was wanting Ca to drop a bit lower before I fired it up. Do you think it's OK to do so now?