Lowering Calcium

rsw686 · 03/26/2007, 08:14 PM

I can't figure out how to lower my calcium level. I know corals and inverts will consume it over time, but is there any other way.

My calcium level is 560. I know it should be 420. I haven't added any calcium supplement either. I use RO/DI water with oceanic salt.

The test kit is by API. You count the number of drops until the indicator changes.

Testing freshly mixed salt water gives me the same result of 560.

Only thing I can think of is that oceanic was planning that you mixed it to 1.021-1.023 or so specific gravity not 1.025 thus I have more calcium.

alexb518 · 03/26/2007, 08:24 PM

it's really not that big of a deal, it's jsut harder on your equipment. but, to answer you question, ociean is known for really high calcium levels. sometimes over 700.

rsw686 · 03/26/2007, 08:38 PM

Any way of lowering it. The main reason I ask is because I have white dots of calcium floating through the tank. I've read on multiple sites that calcium in excess of 550 will become solid and give a snowing effect.

REMF · 03/26/2007, 08:44 PM

Do a water change. Do not add any supplements, most salt mixes Ca is below 420 at 1.026.

Also what is your salinity?

rsw686 · 03/26/2007, 08:48 PM

I haven't been adding any supplements. Freshly mixes salt with ro/di water is giving me a calcium level of 560.

I can't change salt brands as I have 500 gallons of salt mix left. I got a deal on buy 3 get one free so until then I'm stuck with it.

Specific gravity is 1.025.

alexb518 · 03/26/2007, 09:03 PM

No, don't do a water change. the reason it is so high is because of the oceanic salt that you're using. i have not mixed my own salt for a long time so i don't know what the different levels of each brand are, but google it and perhaps try switching brands and then do a water change. i think i used to use reef crystals and instant ocean. oh, i just read that you have four bags...well, i guess you'll have to tuff it out until then or just sell what you've got.

drummereef · 03/26/2007, 09:04 PM

I'd say double check it with another test kit or take some water to the lfs and let them check it. Oceanic salt is known for high Ca levels I believe, but probably not that high. Mixing it more concentated would definitely raise the Ca, but none the less I'd double check the test with another brand testkit.

What's your alkalinity testing? Sounds like you had a precipitation.

rsw686 · 03/26/2007, 09:12 PM

I'll look into getting another test kit then. Probably will switch brands later on down the road. Need to sell the other containers. I started with 4 200 gal containers. Sold one already so I only paid 70 bucks for the 3 remaining containers, which is a steal at 12 cents a gallon.

drummereef · 03/26/2007, 09:17 PM

What is your alkalinity level currently?

rsw686 · 03/26/2007, 09:21 PM

Alkalinity is 3.5 meq/L

REMF · 03/26/2007, 09:32 PM

Mix a small batch of your salt to 1.026, and test Again, and like drummereef suggested try another test kit.

Also did you mix all the bags together? If not try a different bag.

03/26/2007, 08:14 PM	#1
rsw686 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: VA Posts: 549	Lowering Calcium I can't figure out how to lower my calcium level. I know corals and inverts will consume it over time, but is there any other way. My calcium level is 560. I know it should be 420. I haven't added any calcium supplement either. I use RO/DI water with oceanic salt. The test kit is by API. You count the number of drops until the indicator changes. Testing freshly mixed salt water gives me the same result of 560. Only thing I can think of is that oceanic was planning that you mixed it to 1.021-1.023 or so specific gravity not 1.025 thus I have more calcium.

03/26/2007, 08:38 PM	#3
rsw686 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: VA Posts: 549	Any way of lowering it. The main reason I ask is because I have white dots of calcium floating through the tank. I've read on multiple sites that calcium in excess of 550 will become solid and give a snowing effect. __________________ The Reptile File Forum (Google It) Discussion forum dedicated to geckos, lizards, snakes, turtles, amphibians, and other reptiles. Current Tank Info: 90gal reef w/ 20 gal sump, Aquactinics TX5, Octopus NW150, AquaController Jr.

03/26/2007, 08:44 PM	#4
REMF Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Anchorage AK Posts: 669	Do a water change. Do not add any supplements, most salt mixes Ca is below 420 at 1.026. Also what is your salinity? __________________ Really honey, this will be the last thing I need for my reef. Current Tank Info: 75 Gal. Reef, T5ho. 46 Gal bow FOWLR, 20 Gal L 250w mh reef.

03/26/2007, 08:48 PM	#5
rsw686 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: VA Posts: 549	I haven't been adding any supplements. Freshly mixes salt with ro/di water is giving me a calcium level of 560. I can't change salt brands as I have 500 gallons of salt mix left. I got a deal on buy 3 get one free so until then I'm stuck with it. Specific gravity is 1.025. __________________ The Reptile File Forum (Google It) Discussion forum dedicated to geckos, lizards, snakes, turtles, amphibians, and other reptiles. Current Tank Info: 90gal reef w/ 20 gal sump, Aquactinics TX5, Octopus NW150, AquaController Jr.

03/26/2007, 09:04 PM	#7
drummereef Team RC Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: STL Posts: 14,754	I'd say double check it with another test kit or take some water to the lfs and let them check it. Oceanic salt is known for high Ca levels I believe, but probably not that high. Mixing it more concentated would definitely raise the Ca, but none the less I'd double check the test with another brand testkit. What's your alkalinity testing? Sounds like you had a precipitation. __________________ -Brett 180g Marineland Starfire In-Wall 278 gallon system Last edited by drummereef; 03/26/2007 at 09:13 PM.

03/26/2007, 08:24 PM	#2
alexb518 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: San Mateo Posts: 514	it's really not that big of a deal, it's jsut harder on your equipment. but, to answer you question, ociean is known for really high calcium levels. sometimes over 700.

03/26/2007, 09:03 PM	#6
alexb518 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: San Mateo Posts: 514	No, don't do a water change. the reason it is so high is because of the oceanic salt that you're using. i have not mixed my own salt for a long time so i don't know what the different levels of each brand are, but google it and perhaps try switching brands and then do a water change. i think i used to use reef crystals and instant ocean. oh, i just read that you have four bags...well, i guess you'll have to tuff it out until then or just sell what you've got.

03/26/2007, 09:12 PM	#8
rsw686 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: VA Posts: 549	I'll look into getting another test kit then. Probably will switch brands later on down the road. Need to sell the other containers. I started with 4 200 gal containers. Sold one already so I only paid 70 bucks for the 3 remaining containers, which is a steal at 12 cents a gallon. __________________ The Reptile File Forum (Google It) Discussion forum dedicated to geckos, lizards, snakes, turtles, amphibians, and other reptiles. Current Tank Info: 90gal reef w/ 20 gal sump, Aquactinics TX5, Octopus NW150, AquaController Jr.

03/26/2007, 09:17 PM	#9
drummereef Team RC Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: STL Posts: 14,754	What is your alkalinity level currently? __________________ -Brett 180g Marineland Starfire In-Wall 278 gallon system

03/26/2007, 09:21 PM	#10
rsw686 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: VA Posts: 549	Alkalinity is 3.5 meq/L __________________ The Reptile File Forum (Google It) Discussion forum dedicated to geckos, lizards, snakes, turtles, amphibians, and other reptiles. Current Tank Info: 90gal reef w/ 20 gal sump, Aquactinics TX5, Octopus NW150, AquaController Jr.

03/26/2007, 09:32 PM	#11
REMF Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Anchorage AK Posts: 669	Mix a small batch of your salt to 1.026, and test Again, and like drummereef suggested try another test kit. Also did you mix all the bags together? If not try a different bag. __________________ Really honey, this will be the last thing I need for my reef. Current Tank Info: 75 Gal. Reef, T5ho. 46 Gal bow FOWLR, 20 Gal L 250w mh reef.