high calc, low alk ?????

hey guys, i was hoping to get some advice. I am getting calcium readings at 585 and my alk is reading at 119ppm or 6.7dkh. it just seems to me that the alk is too low and calc is too high. Is it just me or is there a way to balance this out. thanks

 

I would do a couple large water changes to try to bring it closer to ionic balance. Then if needed dose some BRS 2 part Alk to bring it to were you want it to be. Also check your mag. If it's low then fix that to.

 

That high of calc reading is driving your alk down. Water change as Bill suggested and then check your mg. Mg is your most important stabilizing element for calc and alk.

 

+1 on Mg.

 

I will change the water and buy a mag. test kit tomorrow morning. also, I am using E.S.V. B-Ionic Seawater System Salt Mix and I am new to using this, so could I be doing somthing wrong? thank you!

 

if mag is low, then I can buy an additive to increase it?

 

you can.

 

Do you wait 24hrs when mixing your saltwater you use for water changes? If not you should try doing so and see if that helps. The low oxygen RO water can be linked to low alk.

 

Since I am working with that four part salt mix i just follow the instructions and then put in it the tanks. So what your saying is that I should make it a day before and then put it in the tank?

 

Yes. It won't hurt. You could test before and after and let us know the difference. I just do it. Calfo spoke of it at fall fest. Hope it helps this doesn't mean you won't have to dose.

 

You may not be getting it mixed right. I would try and be as precise as possable. And test the water before adding it to the tank to make sure it's right.
-Bill

 

its a great product but it takes time and precise measurements. I think after this I am just going back to IO

 

Go to BRS.TV (bulk reef supply) and check out this video.
How calcium and alkalinity function in the aquarium - YouTube

 

great video!!! Thank you. i am still waiting on my test kit to come in the mail so i can see where my mag level are at. everything looks good in the tanks so i am not going to touch it until i test it.

 

I keep calcium chloride, magnesium chloride, and baking soda (all from BRS) on hand and supplement as needed, according to the calculator on the BRS site.

However, once you get your tank in balance, you won't need to supplement much at all. I have to readjust my parameters every few months.

 

i tested the tank with the API test kit and then with a HANNA electronic tester for the Alk. two totally different answers. API said it was at 9dkh and the Hanna said oh around 6dkh......I can only think that I am measuring alk. solution incorrectly for the Hanna. Its hard to not have any air trapped in the syringe /DesktopModules/ActiveForums/themes/_default//emoticons/sad.gif ...

 

you are supposed to have air trapped in the syringe. The air you have at the top is compensated by the solution you have in the tip. Fill the syringe up and then push the stopper down until the first black ring lines up with the 1.0