A Quick redundent alk/cal question

[JLAudio]

Ill make this a quick thread, being the fact its probably a redundent topic.

My calcium is over 500+ (top reading) according to aquarium pharmaceuticals test kit. I realized this a while back (2+ weeks) and stopped my supplementation, but kept 10% weekly WC's and a 20% this weekend.

My alk was just measured from an instant ocean kit (which I hate, cause color change is so faint) was 3 meq/l or 8.4 dkh. and ph is 8.2

That seems normal, so Im wondering if I should just add alk part, or just stop for a longer duration and let WC's and time do its thing?

The other thought is my calcium test kit is incorrect, because my reading is like 550 and my water is crystal clear, with no precipitation (or at least not visually obvious)

any thoughts

 

[KathyC]

Your water wouldn't necessarily be cloudy (or not clear) due to your Ca being high.
I'd keep up the the water changes..the Alk & Ca are not balanced, the Ca needs to come down more, you should get a better test kit for it and pick one up for Magnesuim too

 

[JLAudio]

Kathy, Thanks again for always helping me.

I will get mag test asap, and look into better cal kit

 

[Tonyscoots84]

I no there have been some issues lately with salifert but for a cheaper test kit for all 3 that u would need I would go with them......

 

[JLAudio]

Thanks TONY, thats a good suggestion. I really cant even take any action without first seeing if my readings are accurate.

Im under the assumption that my calcium read is off, because even with out dosing and probably 50% WC (over 3 week period) it was still way over 500. Seems way too high from my experience