Need some help understanding my parameters

[LAFANBLUE]

All,

I have a 75 gallon mixed that has been up and running for about 5 months. I am having a hard time understanding my calcium readings. My calcium is always in around 520 ppm or higher. I do not dose for calcium in fact all I dose is BRS Sodium Bicarbonate around 200 ml every 3 days to keep my Alk above 7 which it is at most of the time(Which I have considered adding to my ATO so it keeps it more stable). I use HW Marinemix-reefer salt and do a 10 gallon water change every other week.

Anything I should worry about with the Calcium being so high? Also, what suggestions would you all have in regards to supplements for the corals... I really like the LPS corals and Zoas and will stick to family.


Thanks in advance... Try to learn as much as I can.



Testing Cal with Hanna Digital Checker

Parameters:
Salinity = 34.5 ppt
Temp = 79 -80 (Controlled by chiller)
PH = 8.23
Nitrate = 0
Mg = 1350
Ca = 512

Inhabitants:
Hairy Mushroom - Neon Green
Kenya Tree Coral
Acan Brain Coral
Duncan Polyp
Glove Polyp
2 full Zoanthid frags
small toadstool
small Hammer
small Frogspawn
Med Long Tentacle Anemone
small candy cane coral
Blue/Green Sympodium small frag
small frag GSP
2 x purple firefish
orange spotted goby
tiger pistol shrimp
1 x True Percula Clown
1 x small 6 line wrasse

Equipment:
2 x Kessil A360s
Reef Dynamics Bio Pellet Reactore
Skimz SM163 skimmer
Tunze ATO
JBJ Arctica Chiller

 

[reeferfoxx]

I would perform a 25-30% water change, then test calcium again. If calcium is still above 500, work on getting alkalinity up to 8dkh and see if that doesn't help reduce your calcium levels.

 

[twilliard]

I would test the calcium in the bucket before you add it.
Maybe it mixes high

 

[oldsaint]

From BRS site..
hw-Marinemix Reefer contained Calcium at 445-450 ppm, Alk of 9.0 dKH, Magnesium at 1380 ppm. I believe that is mixed at 1.024.
If you're mixing it stronger you'll get higher readings.

 

[LAFANBLUE]

Thanks for the replies... I have tested brand new mix before a water change during my last three changes and it was at 450 each time... Just having a hard time understanding how it is going up in the tank without dosing... Also, any damage that anyone is aware of if it stays in the 500s?