alkalinity test?

[macdawg]

so i test my alkalinity and it is at 8.0... but my calcium is testing at 520... and i am not dosing. i just changed over to instant ocean salt but everyone tells me that i will have to dose calcium. i am using the red sea test kit for alkalinity, and the api and nutrifin kits for calcium, they are both reading the same. just wondering if this is normal, i am about to do another water change using IO. im thinking about testing the alk and calcium before i put it in the tank. has anyone had this problem before?? also would this cause zoos to not want to open all the way? and maybe possibly cause sps corals to start bleaching out. any info will be greatly appreciated, thanks

 

[NC2WA]

did you do a gradual change to IO or all at once??

this could be a shock to the water params and eventually to the corals..

do you have a LFS that will test the water for you?
I would offer to test, but am far away.

you should be testing for the following:

Mg
Alk
Ca
pH
Salinity

if possible, I would use the same test kit for all parameters...

Before doing another water change, i would test a mixed batch of IO to see exactly what the levels are...most likely you will have to dose Ca and Alk, BUT if Ca is 520, I would let it fall naturally and don't dose.

 

[Eileen60]

I've seen salt with 500 Ca before. I think it was Kent salt.

 

[NC2WA]

somewhat outdated, but does give a baseline level for most popular used salts: Feature Article: Inland Reef Aquaria Salt Study, Part I — Advanced Aquarist | Aquarist Magazine and Blog

 

[macdawg]

other than magnesium, i don't have a kit for it, alk 8.0
ph 8.0
cal 520
sal 1.024 according to hydrometer

 

[senji]

im betting on low magnesium. in my opinion i monitor magnesium it plays in direct ratio to cal and alk.

 

[NC2WA]

Dawg,

Senji is correct.

I would read the following article at least twice:

A Simplified Guide to the Relationship Between Calcium, Alkalinity, Magnesium and pH by Randy Holmes-Farley - Reefkeeping.com

 

[DTECH07]

Also test your water prior to adding to your tank this can allow you to make adjustment prior and be stressed after you've added it to your tank. Also how long after making your salt did add it to your tank?

 

[NC2WA]

Also how long after making your salt did add it to your tank?

DTech makes a good point..typically you want 24-72hrs of mixing, this allows the water to get to temp and proper oxygen transfer.