CALCIUM TO HIGH?!

I just got my new Salfiert calcium test kit and its telling me my level is 550. Is this bad? and what should I do? I am trying to get my coralline to grow

 

I've heard of challenges with Salifert accurately testing CA.  A La Motte test may be more accurate.  

CA at 550 ppm is not detrimental, but if it is an accurate reading then I recommend you get some new LPS or SPS corals immediately!

 

Are you supplimenting your tank with a CA addative?

Is this the same tank that is just going through it's cycle?

J

 

Ta can ou please add your tank description to the signature in your profile. Most helpful, thankyou!

 

I do not have any corals. I am just trying to get my Coraline Algea to grow. Its a 90 with a new refugium I just added. The main tank has been in operation about 1 year. Everything else looks good.

 

Have you checked you Alk. I would asume it is going to be quite low. I would test for Alk than let the CA be consumed for about a week. Test again at that time.

J

 

I wish I could get mine to stay above 360! My Alk is fine, ph is fine, but the calcium seems to keep creeping down, even with the addition of kalkwasser and Kent liquid calcium. I mixed a fresh, industrial strength batch of kalk today, maybe that will help.

 

GraviT, what's your mag at?

 

Don't get too upset about the 550. Do as Jason said and let it disapate on its own. If your Alk is low you may want to get some kind of additive to get it up while your letting the Calcium drop.

 

Also, Salifert has recently made bad batches of calcium kits that all seem to give higher readings. I don't remember why they messed up, but that's what I heard. So you may want to check into a Seachem or La Motte as suggested.