Calcium question

[Shaunv]

So, about a week ago, I noticed that my calcium had dropped pretty low (330). I was out of calcium so I picked up some Seachem Reef Fusion 1. I was adding it for a few days as per the instructions and saw so increase in my calcium at all. I picked up some Calcium from Aquatic Art and added 25 ml. I checked the levels again the next day and still no change in the levels. I added 50ml after 24 hours and tested agin the next day. Still no changes. I added another 50ml after 24 hours and today my levels are 540. Super high! My purple haze monti is now showing RTN. Should I do a water change or wait it out? Here are my other levels

temp: 80
salinity: 1.025 (refractometer)
Alkalinity: 9 (API)
Ph: 8.2 (API)
Magnesium: 1300 (Salifert)
Calcium:540 (API)
Nitrites: 0 (API)
Nitrates: 0 (API)
Phosphates: 0 (Salifert)

 

[Balz3352]

I would wait and see maybe frag if needed?.. I also would get rid of the api kits.... They were way off for me and caused (or helped) cause a crash.
Just my opinion.

 

[Shaunv]

The Monti is frag sized now, so not a huge loss, I can replace it pretty easily. It was a DBTC that I received about a year ago that I have since passed on as well. So, not a huge deal. I just don't want to lose all of the high end stuff in my tank like Pearlberry, Red Planet, etc. I took a sample to Aquatic Art the day. I picked up the. Calcium and they got a reading of 330 on a Salifert kit which is about what I was reading on my API kit. I am almost out of the API reagents so I have Salifert test kits on my birthday/Xmas wish list . That and Red Sea Colors test kit (Potassium, iodine, iron).

 

[Shaunv]

So the Idaho Grape completely RTN'd and the smallest frag out of 4 frags of my red planet did too. I tested the Calcium again today with my API kit and now it's reading 300. After 3 days, I find this highly unlikely. The kit has an expiration date of 10/2015 but it is very close to going gone. So, hopefully tomorrow I. Have time to pick up a Salifert Ca test kit and see what it says. I leave for a few days starting Saturday and am hoping the tank won't crash while I'm gone.

 

[sethsolomon]

So the Idaho Grape completely RTN'd and the smallest frag out of 4 frags of my red planet did too. I tested the Calcium again today with my API kit and now it's reading 300. After 3 days, I find this highly unlikely. The kit has an expiration date of 10/2015 but it is very close to going gone. So, hopefully tomorrow I. Have time to pick up a Salifert Ca test kit and see what it says. I leave for a few days starting Saturday and am hoping the tank won't crash while I'm gone.

Do a 30% water change this will help remove the excess levels down to a more reasonable level.

and +1 only use API test kits for ammonia, nitrate, and nitrite.

 

[Ghxst]

Did you recently add anything like lots of new sps or change your lighting, anything? The Calcium depletion is rather quick! +1 on water change, whatever it is get new water in there.

 

[Shaunv]

I am mixing water now but only have enough at this point for a 20% for tomorrow. I did a 20% on Monday as well. My lighting has remained the same. I started adding this to the tank July 1st and have added quite a few frags but no colonies. I have a feeling that depletion is not quick so much as my test kit sucks. I'm not 100% sure though. I just can't imagine it is depleting that fast.

 

[deboy69]

Normally high calcium isn't a problem it's alk that causes problems. I would double check your salinity and confirm the refractometer is calibrated and check you alk with another test kit.

 

[Shaunv]

Refractometer is calibrated, just checked at the LFS last week. Salinity is at 1.024 The Alkalinity was tested yesterday and is 8.4

 

[deboy69]

Did the LFS check you alk too

 

[Shaunv]

Did the LFS check you alk too

Yes, with a Salifert. On my API it's hard to tell but I read it as 8