Best Way to Lower Calcium

[tbrown]

So for some reason my alkalinity and magnesium get used but my calcium stays up around 480. I add some alkalinity and magnesium but the next day they're both down again.

Current levels:

Alk 8.1
Magnesium 1290
Calcium 480
Phosphates 0.12
Nitrate 70
pH 7.9

I'm curious if there's a safe way to bring my calcium back down to 450ish? I've never had to dose calcium in this tank.

 

[rtparty]

Nothing wrong with 480. If you’re not dosing it but doing water changes, this could signal your salt has high calcium. Use a salt with lower calcium if you really want to to bring it down. 480 isn’t hurting anything

 

[Salty_Northerner]

Is there a reason you want your calcium lowered? Your talking about such a tiny amount it wouldn't make any difference what so ever.

But if you really want to lower it start using a lower calcium based salt when doing WC's would probably be the best bet. I'm no chemist but that's just mho

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I agree that calcium is fine at 480 ppm and I would not try to lower it.

 

[tbrown]

Thanks!

I'm not dosing calcium but I'm also not doing regular water changes which is why my calcium levels have me scratching my head. I have to add alkalinity and magnesium but calcium stays up.

 

[vetteguy53081]

So for some reason my alkalinity and magnesium get used but my calcium stays up around 480. I add some alkalinity and magnesium but the next day they're both down again.

Current levels:

Alk 8.1
Magnesium 1290
Calcium 480
Phosphates 0.12
Nitrate 70
pH 7.9

I'm curious if there's a safe way to bring my calcium back down to 450ish? I've never had to dose calcium in this tank.

Mine is a 472 with Happy coral

 

[dolpator]

But if you needed to what is a good way to do it. My alk is 8.4, army mag is 1470, but my calcium is 650. I ant get it to co.e down.

 

[tbrown]

But if you needed to what is a good way to do it. My alk is 8.4, army mag is 1470, but my calcium is 650. I ant get it to co.e down.

@Randy Holmes-Farley I'm assuming bringing alk or magnesium (or both) up will help some calcium precipitate out?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

@Randy Holmes-Farley I'm assuming bringing alk or magnesium (or both) up will help some calcium precipitate out?

Maintaining alk while calcium is allowed to fall would be the best way. There’s no need to drive that extra fast by adding large amounts of alk.