Calcium gone mad - any suggestions ?

[zebrazim]

I recently took over looking after an established 200l marine tank.
The calcium level was 660, all other parameters were normal - Salt, NH3, KH, Nitrite, Nitrate and pH.
I bought a different manufacturer's test kit (Salifert) to double check the calcium and got the same reading.
Is there anything in the water chemistry that could potentially cause the kits to misread ?
I'm not using any additives, there are about 30 corals in the tank, yet the calcium is not depleting, if anything it appears to be going up!
I've done a couple of 5% water changes with low grade salt, but only managed to get down to 630.
The corals seem OK though and my 2 fish aren't showing any sign of getting burnt gills.
There is no substrate in the tank and I use a protein skimmer and 4 maxijets.
Thanks to anyone who can suggest the cause of these high readings - I'm really confused!!!

 

[metalac]

I never read any issues with too high of calcium. I heard it's not necessary and does nothing extra for growth, but I never heard of high calcium causing any problems.

 

[zebrazim]

Thanks metalac - a couple of people have suggested that extremely high calcium might burn out fish gills, or with such a high concentration, stop corals absorbing it. Don't know if anyone else has come across this.

 

[Anonymous]

What is your alkalinity measurement?
I suspect that it is way low if you are getting Ca readings that high

 

[zebrazim]

What is your alkalinity measurement?
I suspect that it is way low if you are getting Ca readings that high

Hi PitPat, the kits in the UK are ppm - think you might use something different over there - anyway strangely the KH is normal at 150 (I believe the ideal range is 140-178ppm).

 

[Anonymous]

Well, that is higher than I expected it to be, but still low to be balanced with the high Ca readings that you are getting.
If you try to raise your KH some it will cause you Ca to drop. But I don't have much insight into why your calcium readings are so high if you aren't dosing anything (you aren't running a calcium or kalk reactor I assume)

 

[zebrazim]

Well, that is higher than I expected it to be, but still low to be balanced with the high Ca readings that you are getting.
If you try to raise your KH some it will cause you Ca to drop. But I don't have much insight into why your calcium readings are so high if you aren't dosing anything (you aren't running a calcium or kalk reactor I assume)

No nothing like that - the only equipment is the protein skimmer and maxijets

 

[Anonymous]

That is a riddle
I'd try some larger water changes to bring your levels closer to natural seawater. But other than that I am stumped. Good luck

 

[zebrazim]

That is a riddle
I'd try some larger water changes to bring your levels closer to natural seawater. But other than that I am stumped. Good luck

Thanks anyway PitPat - appreciate your thoughts

 

[c-town]

I"D CHECK YOUR PH, HIGH Ca CAN AFFECT IT. I'VE HAD PROBLEMS WITH MY PH, BECAUSE MY Ca WAS 500mg/L