Is this cal/alk combo possible?

kmacartney · 04/18/2011, 07:57 PM

I just tested my calcium and alkalinity recently and the results were rather strange. My cal was 250 and my alk was 11.2. Is this possible? I am quite sure it is normal or healthy. It was the first tests from some new Salifert kits I got over last summer.

kmacartney · 04/18/2011, 08:30 PM

Bump.

kmacartney · 04/18/2011, 08:47 PM

Anyone?

Flightdeck · 04/18/2011, 09:50 PM

have you tested the Mag levels yet?
Your Alk level is on the high end for sure and I have not seen calcium that low but I am sure it may be possible to have this if your Mag is not in line. Also-
What kind of test kits are you using and how old are they?

Flightdeck · 04/18/2011, 09:57 PM

Sorry I see you posted your test kit info. They should still be good. I would check the Mag levels
If you do not get many replies here try the chem-forum I found a lot on these topics there.

kmacartney · 04/19/2011, 04:28 AM

Just tested magnesium and it is at 1320.

Randy Holmes-Farley · 04/19/2011, 06:22 AM

It is certainly possible. Whether it is accurate or not, however, I can't say.

Try measuring calcium on some new salt water.

kmacartney · 04/19/2011, 07:40 AM

Good idea. I will try that later this evening.

kmacartney · 04/21/2011, 05:20 AM

Ok. I tested a freshly mixed batch of Reef Crystals and I got
Calcium 380
Alkalinity 9.9
Magnesium 1170

Randy Holmes-Farley · 04/21/2011, 05:44 AM

OK, so then I'd probably look to boost the calcium in the tank water using calcium chloride.

This has more:

Solving Calcium and Alkalinity Problems
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/nov2002/chem.htm

kmacartney · 04/22/2011, 11:34 AM

Thanks!

Randy Holmes-Farley · 04/22/2011, 04:40 PM

You're welcome.

Good luck.

04/18/2011, 07:57 PM	#1
kmacartney Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Athens, OH Posts: 1,444	Is this cal/alk combo possible? I just tested my calcium and alkalinity recently and the results were rather strange. My cal was 250 and my alk was 11.2. Is this possible? I am quite sure it is normal or healthy. It was the first tests from some new Salifert kits I got over last summer. __________________ <--That's my boy! To see my tank, click the...Oh wait! Where did it go? Current Tank Info: 75 gallon display, 20 gallon sump/refugium, 6X54W T5, ASM G2, Mag 9.5 return, 2X Gulf Stream II Maxi-Jet Mods

04/18/2011, 08:30 PM	#2
kmacartney Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Athens, OH Posts: 1,444	Bump. __________________ <--That's my boy! To see my tank, click the...Oh wait! Where did it go? Current Tank Info: 75 gallon display, 20 gallon sump/refugium, 6X54W T5, ASM G2, Mag 9.5 return, 2X Gulf Stream II Maxi-Jet Mods

04/18/2011, 08:47 PM	#3
kmacartney Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Athens, OH Posts: 1,444	Anyone? __________________ <--That's my boy! To see my tank, click the...Oh wait! Where did it go? Current Tank Info: 75 gallon display, 20 gallon sump/refugium, 6X54W T5, ASM G2, Mag 9.5 return, 2X Gulf Stream II Maxi-Jet Mods

04/19/2011, 04:28 AM	#6
kmacartney Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Athens, OH Posts: 1,444	Just tested magnesium and it is at 1320. __________________ <--That's my boy! To see my tank, click the...Oh wait! Where did it go? Current Tank Info: 75 gallon display, 20 gallon sump/refugium, 6X54W T5, ASM G2, Mag 9.5 return, 2X Gulf Stream II Maxi-Jet Mods

04/19/2011, 06:22 AM	#7
Randy Holmes-Farley Reef Chemist Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Arlington, Massachusetts Posts: 86,233	It is certainly possible. Whether it is accurate or not, however, I can't say. Try measuring calcium on some new salt water. __________________ Randy Holmes-Farley Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef

04/18/2011, 09:50 PM	#4
Flightdeck Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Bay Area,CA Posts: 57	have you tested the Mag levels yet? Your Alk level is on the high end for sure and I have not seen calcium that low but I am sure it may be possible to have this if your Mag is not in line. Also- What kind of test kits are you using and how old are they?

04/18/2011, 09:57 PM	#5
Flightdeck Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Bay Area,CA Posts: 57	Sorry I see you posted your test kit info. They should still be good. I would check the Mag levels If you do not get many replies here try the chem-forum I found a lot on these topics there.

04/19/2011, 07:40 AM	#8
kmacartney Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Athens, OH Posts: 1,444	Good idea. I will try that later this evening. __________________ <--That's my boy! To see my tank, click the...Oh wait! Where did it go? Current Tank Info: 75 gallon display, 20 gallon sump/refugium, 6X54W T5, ASM G2, Mag 9.5 return, 2X Gulf Stream II Maxi-Jet Mods

04/21/2011, 05:20 AM	#9
kmacartney Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Athens, OH Posts: 1,444	Ok. I tested a freshly mixed batch of Reef Crystals and I got Calcium 380 Alkalinity 9.9 Magnesium 1170 __________________ <--That's my boy! To see my tank, click the...Oh wait! Where did it go? Current Tank Info: 75 gallon display, 20 gallon sump/refugium, 6X54W T5, ASM G2, Mag 9.5 return, 2X Gulf Stream II Maxi-Jet Mods

04/21/2011, 05:44 AM	#10
Randy Holmes-Farley Reef Chemist Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Arlington, Massachusetts Posts: 86,233	OK, so then I'd probably look to boost the calcium in the tank water using calcium chloride. This has more: Solving Calcium and Alkalinity Problems http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/nov2002/chem.htm __________________ Randy Holmes-Farley Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef

04/22/2011, 11:34 AM	#11
kmacartney Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Athens, OH Posts: 1,444	Thanks! __________________ <--That's my boy! To see my tank, click the...Oh wait! Where did it go? Current Tank Info: 75 gallon display, 20 gallon sump/refugium, 6X54W T5, ASM G2, Mag 9.5 return, 2X Gulf Stream II Maxi-Jet Mods

04/22/2011, 04:40 PM	#12
Randy Holmes-Farley Reef Chemist Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Arlington, Massachusetts Posts: 86,233	You're welcome. Good luck. __________________ Randy Holmes-Farley Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef

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