Water parameters are out!

[mac77]

Getting a reading of 720 on my calcium. PH has dropped to 7.9. My tank has cycled and had remained stable for several weeks, and then all of a sudden I get this shift. Any ideas? I do have quite a bit of man made rock in the tank, but my ph had been around 8.6 for the past month...now this. Any suggestions for bringing down the calcium without further lowering the ph?

[Playa-1]

What are your other water parameters that you are testing for?

[mac77]

Temp = 80 degrees
S.G. = 1.023
P.H. = 7.9
Nitrates = 5ppm (trying to get to 0)
Phosphates = 0
K.H. = 5dkh
Calcium = 720ppm

What do I need to do? am I screwing this up really bad?

[Playa-1]

You should first double check your readings to make sure you have accurate water parameter readings. Providing these numbers are accurate you will need to balance your ALK and Calcium first and when you get that taken care of I would suggest that you slowly adjust your salinity up to 1.026. I would also be curious to know what your Magnesium is testing at. This link has some very valuable information on the subject.
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/nov2002/chem.htm

This Calculator may come in handy.
http://reef.diesyst.com/flashcalc/flashcalc.html

Keep in mind that any adjustments need to be made slowly.

Here's another good link you will find interesting
Interesting link

[mac77]

I just re-checked my calcium after a water change I did the other day...it has gone up to 760ppm! All other parameters still the same. I did double check my accuracy on my test kit...dead on. I read the article about baking soda and such...I am really scared to try this. Sounds way over my head as a beginner. Any other advice for lowering calcium, or does it really matter?

[Michael]

if its 720 then you will need to do some water changes, your alk is low as well, you need to stabilise your magnesium, water changes for the calcium first though, however i suspect a faulty kit or testing error, is your water milky in colour, if not and your not dosing anything then 720 just cant be right

[mac77]

My water is crystal clear, and I have tested a number of times. I did a test on brand new ro salt water and got 300 on calcium....is this a normal reading for ro water with new salt added? How do I "stabilize magnesium"? I have never even heard of having to do that. Please help....very lost.

[Michael]

depends on the type of salt, 300 could be right, are you testing the calcium with a salifert kit?

[mac77]

No michael...I am using an API (Aquarium Pharmaceuticals) kit. I am also using Red Sea salt.

[acrodave]

is the test kit still in date

[Michael]

oh-well, forget my next idea then, heres some links that are worth a read, get the mag stable and get the alk to 8-12 dkh, it will all fall into place, any other problems pop on the chemistry forum and ask randy farley, he is freindly and will always help

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/oct2003/chem.htm

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-06/rhf/index.php

[Playa-1]

If your numbers are accurate ,which is questionable, then your ALK is too low and your Calcium is too high. A series of water changes should bring your water parameters back in line. You also may want to get somebody or a local fish store to test a sample of your water to confirm your readings.

Are you dosing anything or have you added any chemical to the tank?

The Calcium reading of 300 on your RO water doesn't sound right to me. Have you checked your TDS on your RO water? 300 doesn't sound right for freshly made up salt water either.

[mac77]

I am not dosing anything and I have not added any chemicals. I will take a water sample to my LFS to have them test it. We will go from there. I have just completed a water change (2 days ago). Thanks for you guys help....we will see the results from the LFS. Thanks so much.

[mac77]

Guess what? My LFS (who I bought my testing kit from recently) told me he uses the exact same kit to test water and would probably end up with the same results. Any suggestions?

[Michael]

Originally posted by mac77
I am not dosing anything and I have not added any chemicals.

then your calcium cant be 720, toss the kit and get a different 1

[mac77]

o.k...great, that is what I will do. Thanks for the advice.

[crvz]

Originally posted by Michael
then your calcium cant be 720, toss the kit and get a different 1

agreed, I'm betting this is a result of bad test kits. and how are you testing pH? I'd be shocked if your system stayed in the 8.6 range for any amount of time. I wouldnt ever trust a pH measurement that isnt performing with a recently calibrated probe, as all pH test kits are pretty crummy.