effect of high calcium

Discussion in 'Water Chemistry' started by nicodim55, Dec 16, 2010.

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  1. nicodim55

    nicodim55 Coral Banded Shrimp

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    Hello all, question for all you experts out there. I just came from my local LFS and picked up a couple of SPS's and I tested the water in the bag for calcium and the test result was at 520 using API tester. I then tested the water in my tank and the result was 820! My question is, what is the adverse effect on corals be it LPS or SPS from having calcium level this high?

    My calcium level has been over 700 or higher for the past 4 months. I stopped dosing 4 months ago, and I haven't dosed anything since then. All corals looks healthy, all polyps on all of my SPS are all extended. Is my tank ok? Should I be worried for having such high level of calcium? Please shed some light on this. Thx
     
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  3. steve wright

    steve wright Super Moderator

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    IMO
    based on a lot of reading
    there is no benefit to a calcium level over the normal salt water accepted parameters
    but there is no direct harm related to just having a high calcium level

    the only concern being that with that many calcium ions in solution some of them may be there at the expense of Alkalinity levels

    thus provided you DKH is still within normal parameters, then allowing it to fall naturally until it gets between 380 and 450 would be fine IMO

    Steve
     
  4. nicodim55

    nicodim55 Coral Banded Shrimp

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    So do I need to do anything to try to lower it or should I just leave it alone?
     
  5. Magnus

    Magnus Sharknado

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    Just leave it alone and do not dose anything. It will naturally drop by itself.
     
  6. steve wright

    steve wright Super Moderator

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    I would check my DKH and as long as it was between 7 and 11
    slightly higher would also be OK IMHO

    If your DKH is below 7 you need to increase that by less than 1 point per day

    other than that
    I would allow it to fall naturally

    as rapid changes, even ones designed to improve conditions can do more harm then good

    Steve
     
  7. nicodim55

    nicodim55 Coral Banded Shrimp

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    It's been this high for the past 4 months. How long does it normally take for calcium to come down? I guess this is better than the other way around. So no worries then?
     
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  9. steve wright

    steve wright Super Moderator

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    depends whats using it nicodim
    a tank full of clams and SPS would use it relatively quickly, softies on the other hand it may take months to drop below 450
    Steve
     
  10. nicodim55

    nicodim55 Coral Banded Shrimp

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    I have a mixture of everything from zoas, zenias, LPS, SPS, montis oh and one huge squamosa clam.
     
  11. Magnus

    Magnus Sharknado

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    Exactly! Steve's always right on the money. If you have stony corals, clams or coraline algae (which you should have with those calcium levels) it should be consumed by anyone of them, or all of them. Soft corals don't use nearly as much as SPS, so it will be a slow process.... still, if your alkalinity is kept in check as Steve suggested, you shouldn't have to worry about "fixing" the problem, since it will all balance out by itself.
     
  12. ReefBruh

    ReefBruh Giant Squid

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    Just curious, what type of salt do you use or do you get your salt from the LFS?