Calcium Level not dropping

[jc85]

Hi,

I have been monitoring my tank calcium level for a couple of months and realise that my calcium level does not seems to drop. I'm using the salifert testkit.

My tank is a ~250litre running on cannister. LS are mainly LPS and soft coral. No SPS. Is it normal or could it really be the test kit problem (I got it from edmund, shouldn't have expired)? I had since stop dosing kalk and top up now is only freshwater when i tested that my calcium is over 500. Water changes ard 10% bi-monthly.

Tank Parameters;

NH3/4 = 0

NO2 = 0

NO3 = ~30

pH = 8.2

AlK = ~9.2

Temp = ~26.5

Calcium = ~550

Phosphate = ~0.5 (trying to reduce it now)

Is it possible that the calcium level not dropping? Any advice?

JC

[jc85]

I uses CoralLife Salt and does add the small packet of solution once in a while, ~ 1 pack for every 2 pack of salt used.

As for Kalk dosing, I had since stopped for more than 3 months liao.

[arcanehacker]

changing water will sorta 'reset' the cal levels.. maybe do a 30% change.

Its a simple mathematic calculation. 500 = 100% of water. Changing 30% would down the level to around 350.

[jc85]

Hi arcanehacker,

Thanks for the prompt reply. Btw, wat do u mean by "reset"? Will water changing increase or decrease the calcium in the tank?

I have been doing water changes frequently. Do not wan to stress my LS unnecessary by doing a 30%.

Cheers

JC

[arcanehacker]

Hi arcanehacker,

Thanks for the prompt reply. Btw, wat do u mean by "reset"? Will water changing increase or decrease the calcium in the tank?

I have been doing water changes frequently. Do not wan to stress my LS unnecessary by doing a 30%.

Cheers

JC

30% will not do any harm with you LSs.

Ok.. tell you about my tank.. I am dosing kalkwasser everyday.. usually biweekly I would change about slightly less than 30% of water. By that 2 weeks of dosing kalkwasser, my cal level is about 420 and above.

When I change 30% of water (slightly less), the cal would drop to about 350 and above. Then I resume the kalkwasser drip.

water change WOULD change the level in cal because cal IS in your water..

[jc85]

30% will not do any harm with you LSs.

Ok.. tell you about my tank.. I am dosing kalkwasser everyday.. usually biweekly I would change about slightly less than 30% of water. By that 2 weeks of dosing kalkwasser, my cal level is about 420 and above.

When I change 30% of water (slightly less), the cal would drop to about 350 and above. Then I resume the kalkwasser drip.

water change WOULD change the level in cal because cal IS in your water..

In another sense, changing water will reduce the calcium level because calcium are been removed?

Just wondering, will the salt miz that we use have any calcium contend in them? Anyone know?

[arcanehacker]

In another sense, changing water will reduce the calcium level because calcium are been removed?

Just wondering, will the salt miz that we use have any calcium contend in them? Anyone know?

Yep..

gotta check on the brand.. by right no or very negligible....

[jc85]

That's wat I tot also.

Juz dun understand how come my calcium does not get used up by my LPS and soft coral. Suspected that saltmix does has calcium contend enough to substain my corals calcium usage. Read somewhere that LPS and soft coral does not take much calcium. Any coral guru can advice?

Currently, I have;

1) hammer

2) frogspawm,

3) bubble & pearl bubble

4) Blue sea Fan

5) Blastomussa

6) Yuma

7) Florida

8) common mushroom

9) buttons

10) Brain (4pieces)

11) Elegant

Thanks

JC

[arcanehacker]

not sure about LPS but soft corals do not need much calcium..

[FuEl]

If your lights are not intense enough, corals will grow less, consuming less calcium.

[jc85]

Does it means that coral will only consume calcium if it grows. That explains why SPS need lots of calcium then. hmm...