Reduce calcium without a water change?

dismayed · 11/09/2009, 01:03 AM

My calcium level is somewhere around 600 in my main tank. I've tested with more than one test kit to be sure. This started about six months ago... my calcium levels jumped off the charts and so I stopped dosing with calcium supplements expecting the readings to go down... but they never did.

I eventually figured out that this was linked to my switching to Reef Crystals salt mix about six months ago, which apparently has a very high calcium concentration.

So here's the question... I've been doing some water changes with Instant Ocean, which has a lot lower calcium level, but not much is happening. Is there something that I can add to the tank to suck all the calcium out?

I was thinking maybe a couple large bundles of calerpa or halmeida plants might help?

Michael · 11/09/2009, 01:14 AM

have you got any corals? if so eventually they will lower the calcium levels, have you tested alk and ph?

Patrick12 · 11/09/2009, 01:24 AM

You should already have some Ca++ consuming organisms I would assume or you would not really want to be using a salt so rich in Ca++. They should bring the level down for you over time. Make sure you keep your Mg++ at a normal to high level to prevent free precipitation from achieving your goal.....it would be the least optimal way to lower it. While 600 is indeed high, by itself it will not hurt anything. Are you sure your testing is accurate? Just to make sure you might want to get another person or LFS to test your water if not done already. If your corals are not lowering the Ca++ level, I am not sure adding a calcareous algae is the trick. Maybe you need more corals...

11/09/2009, 01:03 AM	#1
dismayed Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Norman, OK Posts: 321	Reduce calcium without a water change? My calcium level is somewhere around 600 in my main tank. I've tested with more than one test kit to be sure. This started about six months ago... my calcium levels jumped off the charts and so I stopped dosing with calcium supplements expecting the readings to go down... but they never did. I eventually figured out that this was linked to my switching to Reef Crystals salt mix about six months ago, which apparently has a very high calcium concentration. So here's the question... I've been doing some water changes with Instant Ocean, which has a lot lower calcium level, but not much is happening. Is there something that I can add to the tank to suck all the calcium out? I was thinking maybe a couple large bundles of calerpa or halmeida plants might help?

11/09/2009, 01:14 AM	#2
Michael NTTH Rookie Help Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Gloucester, England,UK Posts: 7,808 Blog Entries: 6	have you got any corals? if so eventually they will lower the calcium levels, have you tested alk and ph? __________________ Don't be afraid to ask questions, we in the new to the hobby are here to help you [For My Tank Spec,Photo Album,Articles and website, click on my name] MY Very Kindest and Warmest Regards , MIKE Current Tank Info: I have a 92 gal Corner Tank, and way too many pieces of equipment to list really, (proud member of the reef central corner club)

11/09/2009, 01:24 AM	#3
Patrick12 Crypt Assassin Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 761	You should already have some Ca++ consuming organisms I would assume or you would not really want to be using a salt so rich in Ca++. They should bring the level down for you over time. Make sure you keep your Mg++ at a normal to high level to prevent free precipitation from achieving your goal.....it would be the least optimal way to lower it. While 600 is indeed high, by itself it will not hurt anything. Are you sure your testing is accurate? Just to make sure you might want to get another person or LFS to test your water if not done already. If your corals are not lowering the Ca++ level, I am not sure adding a calcareous algae is the trick. Maybe you need more corals... __________________ The enemy of good enough is BETTER!! Current Tank Info: 60 gallon reef and 150 reef