My Clam Opening?!?!

[returnofsid]

It isn't. I'd say your test kits are off. IO is typically 360-380. I also wouldn't suggest boosting your Ca much over 400-420. Higher Ca levels don't create faster SPS growth, they make the SPS work harder to rid their bodies of the extra Ca, which is a waste bi-product. I used to think the same thing you're thinking, until Boomer and a couple of others set me straight. Higher than normal Ca actually makes the coral expend more of it's energy to get rid of the extra Ca and less of it's energy growing. Concentrate on keeping a consistent Alk and balance your Ca to that. Also make sure that your Magnesium is balanced, as well.

 

[Saltyfish]

I thought my test was high so I took it to an outside source and they got the same readings. Maybe it is just this bucket of salt I got.

As far as the Ca being so high I have talked to a few and seen a tank that was around 650 and his monthly SPS growth was awesome

 

[returnofsid]

If you've got IO Salt reading that high in Ca, I'd be sure to test all the other elements of it!! Sounds like a very bad batch of IO. I'd still say your test kit is off, and so is the test kit of the independent source you had test it...lol.

I also find it hard to believe that anyone was able to keep their Ca at a level of 650. At those levels, you'd have to have an impossibly high levels of Alkalinity to keep the Ca in saturation. At levels way below that, Ca would precipitate out.

I'd suggest reading this article. http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-06/rhf/index.php
and this article, which explains the problems with high calcium, above 550 http://www.aquariacentral.com/articles/calcium.shtml