to much calcium??

Southern Boy · 03/31/2007, 09:42 PM

I just finished my refugium and did a 25 gallon water cahange while I was settig up the sump. I think I got a little to much kalkwasser in my water. My calcium was at 650 yesterday. Will this hurt my coral? My lfs told me if your calcium is to high it will look like it's snowing in the water. Well it does! I've got more r.o. going and will change more if needed.

t5Nitro · 03/31/2007, 09:48 PM

650 calcium is too high. Calcium levels should be around 450. What kind of salt are you using? Usually Instant Ocean at 1.026 gets the water around 400+ ppm. There have been threads saying that Oceanic salt is really high in calcium. I don't think it should hurt anything. If your new saltwater is a lower level of calcium, maybe give it a small water change and let the corals lower it.

Southern Boy · 03/31/2007, 09:51 PM

Instant ocean.But I also liquid calcite, liquid aragonite and alkalinty and hardness plus.

t5Nitro · 03/31/2007, 09:54 PM

Check your alkalinity. If it is in the 8-11 dKh range you would be ok, and maybe even a little higher. If it starts getting up there more like maybe 15-18 range, then your SPS corals might not like it and you may need to try and lower it.

Southern Boy · 03/31/2007, 10:11 PM

The alkalinity test I have is from red sea and it gives me0-1.6 is low, 1.7-2.8 is normal and 2.9- 3.6 is high. That is in milli equivalants per meter.Can you explain the differance for me? And i'm reading 2.8-2.9.

Hop · 03/31/2007, 10:55 PM

Start reading here

You need to understand the relationship and how to solve high/low issues. This article will help out alot.

Southern Boy · 03/31/2007, 11:22 PM

Thanks hop, I've read about half and it all makes very good since, though I can barely stay awake. I'll finish in the morning.Thanks again for the site!!!

Hop · 04/01/2007, 12:29 AM

Reef chemistry is a great sleeping pill. I use it often to combat my insomnia

magdelan · 04/01/2007, 12:34 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by t5Nitro
Check your alkalinity. If it is in the 8-11 dKh range you would be ok, and maybe even a little higher. If it starts getting up there more like maybe 15-18 range, then your SPS corals might not like it and you may need to try and lower it.

I am guessing that if the Ca is at 600ppm, then the Alk is probably around 6 or 7 dkh. http://web.archive.org/web/200211270...v2002/chem.htm

mwwhite · 04/01/2007, 05:52 AM

multiply meq/L by 2.8 to get German Degrees of Carbonate Hardness (dKH). 2.5 meq/L or 7 dKH is the low end and 3.9 meq/L or 11 dKH is the high end.

Simply stop supplementing Calcium and it should drop on it's own.

Calcification is more difficult at lower pH, but maintaining Alkalinity in the upper end of the range can help. 11 dKH Alkalinity and 450 ppm Calcium would be good targets in this case.

03/31/2007, 09:42 PM	#1
Southern Boy Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Fort pierce, Florida Posts: 671	to much calcium?? I just finished my refugium and did a 25 gallon water cahange while I was settig up the sump. I think I got a little to much kalkwasser in my water. My calcium was at 650 yesterday. Will this hurt my coral? My lfs told me if your calcium is to high it will look like it's snowing in the water. Well it does! I've got more r.o. going and will change more if needed.

03/31/2007, 09:48 PM	#2
t5Nitro Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 4,384	650 calcium is too high. Calcium levels should be around 450. What kind of salt are you using? Usually Instant Ocean at 1.026 gets the water around 400+ ppm. There have been threads saying that Oceanic salt is really high in calcium. I don't think it should hurt anything. If your new saltwater is a lower level of calcium, maybe give it a small water change and let the corals lower it. __________________ ATI T5 club Current Tank Info: Left the hobby, looking to re-enter in the future

03/31/2007, 09:54 PM	#4
t5Nitro Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 4,384	Check your alkalinity. If it is in the 8-11 dKh range you would be ok, and maybe even a little higher. If it starts getting up there more like maybe 15-18 range, then your SPS corals might not like it and you may need to try and lower it. __________________ ATI T5 club Current Tank Info: Left the hobby, looking to re-enter in the future

03/31/2007, 10:55 PM	#6
Hop Carpe Noctem!!! Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Western Colorado Posts: 8,548	Start reading here You need to understand the relationship and how to solve high/low issues. This article will help out alot. __________________ Hop Current Tank Info: 300-gallon in-wall system (mixed reef)

04/01/2007, 12:29 AM	#8
Hop Carpe Noctem!!! Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Western Colorado Posts: 8,548	Reef chemistry is a great sleeping pill. I use it often to combat my insomnia __________________ Hop Current Tank Info: 300-gallon in-wall system (mixed reef)

03/31/2007, 09:51 PM	#3
Southern Boy Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Fort pierce, Florida Posts: 671	Instant ocean.But I also liquid calcite, liquid aragonite and alkalinty and hardness plus.

03/31/2007, 10:11 PM	#5
Southern Boy Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Fort pierce, Florida Posts: 671	The alkalinity test I have is from red sea and it gives me0-1.6 is low, 1.7-2.8 is normal and 2.9- 3.6 is high. That is in milli equivalants per meter.Can you explain the differance for me? And i'm reading 2.8-2.9.

03/31/2007, 11:22 PM	#7
Southern Boy Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Fort pierce, Florida Posts: 671	Thanks hop, I've read about half and it all makes very good since, though I can barely stay awake. I'll finish in the morning.Thanks again for the site!!!

04/01/2007, 05:52 AM	#10
mwwhite Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Land O Lakes, FL Posts: 690	multiply meq/L by 2.8 to get German Degrees of Carbonate Hardness (dKH). 2.5 meq/L or 7 dKH is the low end and 3.9 meq/L or 11 dKH is the high end. Simply stop supplementing Calcium and it should drop on it's own. Calcification is more difficult at lower pH, but maintaining Alkalinity in the upper end of the range can help. 11 dKH Alkalinity and 450 ppm Calcium would be good targets in this case. __________________ gwen Current Tank Info: 150 Mixed reef (gone now)