Calcuim...perfect or too low?

MaxThePowderBrown

So I have been using a Hagan Nutrifin Calcuim test kit and I continuously have been getting low readings, about 360 consistently. I have been adding calcium regularly with little to no change.

Today I bought a API Reef Master Kit, and upon using their test kit, the calcium reading shows 420-440.

Any ideas? Any experience using either one of these? Now I'm not sure what to believe and if I should continue adding calcuim as much as I have been.



Also, is it possible to have too high of carbonate hardiness / KH??? Mine's off the chart. Mine is 20dKH or 358ppm KH. Can you lower it? Do I need to be concerned about this?

chadf

I would trust the hagen test kit, I have used both and had continual false results with API.
The reason you can't get your calcium up is because your alk is too high, it's precipitating the calcium out.
I'm not positive how to lower it, but water changes should help. What is your alk with fresh sw before adding it to the tank?

MaxThePowderBrown

Alright, I got all the proper test kits now and added the coralife skimmer and a #3 koralia <---that is powerful!

My fresh sw dKh is 16 and my tank is the same. My Calcium is 400, it won't budge. I add some additives, but it stays at 400.

Everything else tests perfect, pH, phosphate, nitrite, nitrate, ammonia, and the magnesium test is still on the way.

Is dKh at 16 horrible? I did read a way to lower it but it stated it can affect the ph as well.

chadf

I wouldn't worry about either level. 16 dkh isn't really too bad, and people keep successful reef tanks with calcium levels as low as 350 ppm.

CBRrider

I'd try to get it in the 400+ range... I've had much success with mine at 480-490.. --->CBR