Calcium test kits

[spawn_e_git]

Tested the water in my 40gal reef set-up for calcium for the first time yeaterday. I have had the tank running for over a year now and regulary dosed a little of the Kent Calcium solution to the tank. I've never had a problem with the tank except the green algie and I have recently brought a Lawnmower Blennie to try and help with this.

When I carried out the test using the SALIFERT test kit, the test water never turned back to blue even after the whole 1.0ml of Co3 reagent had been added! The test water was still bright pink. Either I'm doing something wrong or the Calcium level is way, way over 500ppm.

Has anyone else used this type of testkit and am I doing something wrong? I followed the instructions to the letter and done it twice to be sure but still the same results. To be honest, I would probably have added more of the calcium solution in the past if it wasn't so damn expensive! If the calcium level really is way over 500ppm, can there be any adverse effects on my livestock and how to I get it down?

Any ideas?

 

[ScottC]

It's possible your calcium level is over 500 ppm, I have mine up around 550. It depends on how much you're dosing. Take a sample of your water the the LFS and have them test it. If they're a decent place they should do it for free, and then you'll get a better idea if you're doing anything wrong.

 

[spawn_e_git]

To be honest, I used to just squirt the bottle in there whenever I remebered to do it. The test kit I use only goes up to 500ppm. How do you measure 550?

I will take it to my LFS and get them to check it. Is 500ppm too high?

 

[wade1]

A couple of things to consider:
1- Is your DI water that you dilute with completely clean and free of ca?
2- If you belive the Ca really is that high, cut the amount of tank water in half that you add to the test kit. Then multiply your results... kits have a useful range and outside of that won't give you accurate results.

I also have a high calcium, well over 500 due to running my reactor rather hot. One thing I will say is to check your alk as well... its not uncommon for alk to be thru the floor when Ca is way too high. If that is the case, you will need to do some significant water changes to get things back into balance.

Wade