Low Alkalinity, High Calcium

[drillbitfocker]

API
PH - 7.8-8.0
Ammonia - 0 ppm
Nitrite - 0 ppm
Nitrate - 20-40 ppm
Phosphate - 0-0.25 ppm


SALIFERT
Magnesium - 1440
Alkalinity - (low resolution, 2ml water + 1ml reagent) pink on 0.83 = 2.4 kh
Multiply by 2 = 4.8 dKH
Calcium - (low resolution, 1ml water + 1ml reagent) blue on 0.45 = 275 cal
Multiply by 2 = 550



I am about to use Kalkwasser to increase alk but my Ca was so high. I don't know what to do. Help please.

 

[SaltySqueeble]

What do you use to test salinity? Could it be high? It’s not that bad but You can lower that a little with a water change. check the parameters in your fresh salt to compare. I would dose some alkalinity to your tank. Red Sea has a good product just for Alk. I currently only dose alkalinity and phosphates. Ca and Mag are covered with water changes

 

[SaltySqueeble]

Oh and by the way. Phos at 0-.25 is not a valid range. Try for something more like 0.02-.1ppm

 

[Dburr1014]

API
PH - 7.8-8.0
Ammonia - 0 ppm
Nitrite - 0 ppm
Nitrate - 20-40 ppm
Phosphate - 0-0.25 ppm


SALIFERT
Magnesium - 1440
Alkalinity - (low resolution, 2ml water + 1ml reagent) pink on 0.83 = 2.4 kh
Multiply by 2 = 4.8 dKH
Calcium - (low resolution, 1ml water + 1ml reagent) blue on 0.45 = 275 cal
Multiply by 2 = 550



I am about to use Kalkwasser to increase alk but my Ca was so high. I don't know what to do. Help please.

Use baking soda instead. It will only increase alk.

Here is a fantastic article.

https://reefs.com/magazine/chemistry-and-the-aquarium-solving-calcium-and-alkalinity-problems/

 

[snorklr]

IF your test results are ok...for alkalinity only i've used Fritz RPM part 1...its sodium bicarbonate and sodium carbonate

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I suspect alk test error. Try your calcium and alk kits on new salt water and dont use the low resolution method.

 

[Troylee]

To add to what Randy said don’t use kalk as it will increase your calcium even more. Get your numbers in line then use kalk to keep calcium and alk stable