issue with high calcium levels

[raysamii]

Hi All,
Second post here. Own my first 160 gallon tank ( Skimmer, pellet reactor, UV, Refugium, 2 powers heads[ MP40, Maxspeed Gyre], Two Radion XR30W pro , 8 months old; Semi established.

Levels:
PH: 8.1
Salinity: 1.026
Alkalinity: 8.6 dKH
Ammonia, Nitrate: 0
Calcium: 480 ppm
Iodine: 0.09 ppm
temp.: 81



This is my issue- I started testing for Calcium a month ago and realized that my levels are high and around 520 ppm. I could not lower it with water changes and then, I realized that the water that I was buying from LFS had high levels of Ca! Based on a recommendation, I purchased the Red Sea salt as I was told most salts used by stores have high Ca. After several small water changes using the Red Sea salt, I was able to get the levels to 480 ppm and cannot get it any lower. I dose the tank with B-ionic to maintain Alkalinity ( Not sure if it is part 1 or 2 but the one for Alkalinity and no Ca). I also dose with Seachem Fuel. I have a good population of corals and a few fish. I also dosed iodide without testing and hence the high level of iodine( goal is .06 ppm).
I was wondering if you have any thoughts as to why my Ca level is high and what could possibly be causing it.

[raysamii]

guys- any ideas??

[jrp1588]

I wouldn't worry about it, 480 is fine. Stability is far more important than bang-on perfect numbers. Also, if you just let the corals consume the cal/alk for a while, your levels will naturally drop to where you want them. I'd aim to maintain them at whatever your salt mixes to for the sake of simplicity though.

[canadianeh]

Two words you: stay away

You better stay away from that LFS. I don't believe they are looking after you. They should tell you about Hugh calcium in water. Which Red Sea that you are using? Red Sea Coral Pro or the regular one?

[thegrun]

I would switch to Instant Ocean which is lower in calcium after you use up your Red Sea salt. The problem with high calcium is you are going to get a lot of calcium deposits on your pump impellers and will need to clean them more often.

[jrp1588]

Originally Posted by thegrun

I would switch to Instant Ocean which is lower in calcium after you use up your Red Sea salt. The problem with high calcium is you are going to get a lot of calcium deposits on your pump impellers and will need to clean them more often.

Solid advice. I run regular IO. It tests to 380 cal and is cheap. You'll probably want to add a bit of calcium supplement to it, but the alk is fine.

[canadianeh]

How about IO reef crystals? Any opinion?

[thegrun]

Originally Posted by canadianeh

How about IO reef crystals? Any opinion?

Reef Crystals are fine if you are using that salt to boost your calcium and alkalinity. IMHO once you reach the point where you need to regularly dose calcium and alkalinity you are better off switching away from the "reef" salt mixes which are high in alkalinity and calcium to a salt mix that is closer to the parameters you intend to keep your tank's water at.

[Ztous]

Have you tried talking to your LFS and asking if they have high calcium or why? You're just assuming they are dumb when there could a be a disparity between your and their testing methods.

[raysamii]

Originally Posted by canadianeh

Two words you: stay away

You better stay away from that LFS. I don't believe they are looking after you. They should tell you about Hugh calcium in water. Which Red Sea that you are using? Red Sea Coral Pro or the regular one?

The regular one ...

[raysamii]

Originally Posted by Ztous

Have you tried talking to your LFS and asking if they have high calcium or why? You're just assuming they are dumb when there could a be a disparity between your and their testing methods.

Good point---
He is actually the one that recommended the switch- he said he cant afford to use the red sea salt and the salt that he uses has high calcium. I tested his water with Red Sea Ca pro test as well as Salifert Ca test. Both reading were around 510...