Anyone hear of calcium levels being between 550 and 620 PPM!!!! I have alot of evaporation in my system and top off with kalkwasser. I use about 5 gallons of kalk every 2-3 days. (about 150 gal total in system). I tested tonight for the first time with a Salifert kit (twice) and it read 620ppm. Then tested with my usual kit a Red Sea and got 550. I have never had higher that 450. I'm thinking that if this is accurate, it must be that the kalk increase to compensate for additional evaporation from the new 30gal frag tank is causing it. I have never heard of calcium levels this high.
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High Calcium Readings
- Thread starter Reefbone52
- Start date
Anyone hear of calcium levels being between 550 and 620 PPM!!!! I have alot of evaporation in my system and top off with kalkwasser. I use about 5 gallons of kalk every 2-3 days. (about 150 gal total in system). I tested tonight for the first time with a Salifert kit (twice) and it read 620ppm. Then tested with my usual kit a Red Sea and got 550. I have never had higher that 450. I'm thinking that if this is accurate, it must be that the kalk increase to compensate for additional evaporation from the new 30gal frag tank is causing it. I have never heard of calcium levels this high.
When I used to drip Kalk, I did use it to help top off...but by no means did I use it as my ONLY top off. You can try alternating your top off. Use Kalk one time and Freshwater the next.
How strong are you mixing your Kalk? You could also try using a lesser amount.
HTH
How strong are you mixing your Kalk? You could also try using a lesser amount.
HTH
I mix a good one teaspoon to a gallon, maybe 1 and a quarter. I also posted this on Reef Central and the Chemist responded that Oceanic Salt is very high in and could be responsible for these high calcium readings. Maybe more than a coincidence I switched to it a month or so ago. I am going to fabricate an auto topoff system so supplement the kalk and check the calcium reading in the fresh Oceanic mix .. Thanks
I 2nd, that the salt is the culprit.