What is consuming all my calcium

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Can new dry rock bind(for lack of better word) calcium?

There is no mechanism to remove noticeable amounts of calcium without taking alkalinity, even when it binds to surfaces.

 

[Reefering1]

Yes. :)

Is there a deeper explanation of how and why abiotic precipitation is the same as organism driven?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Is there a deeper explanation of how and why abiotic precipitation is the same as organism driven?

Sure. It is all calcium carbonate, one calcium ion and one carbonate ion.

That is also true whether the crystal form is calcite or aragonite.

 

[me & my baby]

Calcium is not being consumed. You should not be adding any.


It is impossible for calcium to be consumed without alkalinity being consumed. A 100 ppm calcium drop requires consumption of 14 dKH of alk. Since that is not happening, you need to look for other issues, which include testing (.most likely), a big salinity drop (not that likely) or water changes with a seriously flawed salt mix.

If the salt was flawed wouldn’t it show up when I test a new batch .

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

If the salt was flawed wouldn’t it show up when I test a new batch .

Yes, if you test the new salt water it will show up.

 

[me & my baby]

When I test a fresh batch my readings are

KH 7.7
Mag 1350
Ca 420

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I'd retest the tank, and also retest the salinity. :)