After water change

[b-ridge]

After doing a water change I let my water settle in for a day before I checked them. My calcium was at 600 and my alk was at 124. These levels seem kind if high. Is there anyway of bringing them down a little? Or should I just do a water change and if water change is the answer how much? My tank is 300 gallon total water volume. Checked nitrate it's at about 20-30. Phosphate was measuring in at 0.33. This rowaphos really really works. Strong stuff. Calcium and alk was done using a Hanna handheld. Nitrate and phosphate checked using API

 

[JonnyJ]

Hey,

I'll start with saying the Hannah's have a tendency to give inaccurate readings and I suggest you test with a different method ie: Red Sea or salifert etc

Also, what is your salinity and how are you testing it? If refractometer - is it calibrated?

 

[JonnyJ]

What salt are you using?

Also I suggest testing a fresh batch to see the results. It can also help rule out a few things

 

[lnevo]

124 is ok for alk. Actually its on the low side. Also what is your salinity at? Do you have a refractometer and calibration fluid? Important when alk and cal seem out of whack..what is your mag at?

 

[TUSI]

124 is ok for alk. Actually its on the low side. Also what is your salinity at? Do you have a refractometer and calibration fluid? Important when alk and cal seem out of whack..what is your mag at?

Agree 100%

 

[b-ridge]

My salinity was at 1.026. No I didn't and don't have a test kit for magnesium. Something I should invest I huh? As far as the salt is is instant ocean sea salt the purple box/bucket.. Not the reef crystals.

 

[lnevo]

As johnny said, test a fresh batch of salt. The hanna calcium test is bogus imo. Get a salifert or red sea test. Also again make sure refract is calibrated with calibration fluid. You arent dosing 2 part yet right? One thing also is make sire your salt is mixed before adding it to water.. Roll the bucket around a few times to make sure because things can settle.