I have high calcium levels. Not sure why.

[Lt Jeff]

My newest reef is only about 4 months old but I'm getting high calcium levels (over 600) using API, Aqua Forest and Hanna calcium checker.
Yes, I'm using distilled water for the Hanna and have verified the checker is accurate with their standard kit.
I am baffled. I started with old rock from another reefer's tank and everything in my reef looks healthy and happy, including an RBTA.
I am using Instant Ocean to lower levels but it keeps testing high. Ammonia, Nitrite and Nitrate test zero every time.

Anybody gone thru this and have a suggestion?

 

[exnisstech]

I have never experience it myself only using IO purple. How are you testing salinty? IIRC high salinty can have high calcium compared to lower salinty.

 

[Lt Jeff]

I have never experience it myself only using IO purple. How are you testing salinty? IIRC high salinty can have high calcium compared to lower salinty.

2 seperate refratometers

 

[Fish Fan]

Try a different test for calcium, like Salifert. The Hanna Calcium Checker is tedious and one of their least liked Checkers.

 

[exnisstech]

2 seperate refratometers

Not try to insult but how are you calibrating them? I only ask because often people calibrate using rodi which usually doesn't work well and also some off the shelf calibrating solutions have proven to be be off.

 

[Lt Jeff]

Try a different test for calcium, like Salifert. The Hanna Calcium Checker is tedious and one of their least liked Checkers.

As I said in my origional post I have used Hanna, Aqua Forest and API to test.

 

[Lt Jeff]

Not try to insult but how are you calibrating them? I only ask because often people calibrate using rodi which usually doesn't work well and also some off the shelf calibrating solutions have proven to be be off.

I use Brightwell Calibration Standard to calibrate them.

 

[Fish Fan]

As I said in my origional post I have used Hanna, Aqua Forest and API to test.

I don't think any of those tests are widely liked

Have you tried testing your newly mixed saltwater? If that comes back high, I would say this is test kit error.

I'd also suggest checking your refractometers calibration, a lot of times a miscalibrated refractometer is the culprit. There's a simple DIY recipe for making your own 35 ppt calibration fluid using ordinary kitchen table salt:
https://www.reef2reef.com/ams/reef-aquarium-salinity-diy-calibration-standards.956/

 

[exnisstech]

I use Brightwell Calibration Standard to calibrate them.

That may be perfectly fine but I like to use Randy's recipe that @Fish Fan linked above. I trust Randy more than brightwell.