Anyone heard of too much calcium?

[awsomeangels]

My aquarium seems to have way too much calcium in it . Its been measured up to a bout 560ppm. Ihave not added any cal. or kalk to it for a month and its still too high. My leathers seem to not like it too much they are getting a little stiff. Can anything be done to lower it other than continuing water changes? I change about 22-24 gal evry two weeks. Will this harm any inverts?

[WILDTHING]

Do you use RO or tap water?

[HOC]

What kind of salt are you using? Have you tested the water you're adding to see if you're lowering it much by changing water?
Also what does your ALK read?

I change 40 gallons of water every week in my 600 gallon system so you're not going to hurt anything.

[manderx]

what test kit are you using? it's possible it's a bad reading. like mentioned, you need to check the water you're adding in water changes. using a RO? what's your pH and alk? the 3 are related, if your Ca is too high, your alk is probably low. i've heard that by boosting alk, it'll force the Ca to come down some when it's too high.

randy has some articles on all this in his chemistry forum. look at one of the sticky threads for an index of all his articles.

[awsomeangels]

Yes I use RO/DI water. And no I havent checked my alk. I have been using an aquarium pharm. test kit just because its easy to use quickly.My ph run about 8.2. I also use Instant Ocean salt.

[RUFISHY2]

I'll bet it's your test. Try a Salifert.

[RUFISHY2]

although that wouldn't explain why your leathers are stiff.

[HOC]

I've seen this happen quite few times, it's not all that uncommon. Water changes are your best bet. Need to test calcium frequently when adding it in an additive form. Kalk alone won't raise it very fast unless you don't have anything consuming the calcium.

I second the Salifert kits. Very good for the money.

[Charlie Davidson]

Matt, every time I look, you have hit it on the head!
We need to check alk, cal, and ph. MAG. and Phos. every so often!
Ditto these guys, Good test kit -(I like seachem for cal- maybe more tests per buck- do not remember) salifert makes a good alk test kit.

[jfloydr]

Maybe your leathers are stiff because they are excited. Have you added a female leather lately.

[Charlie Davidson]

That was alk. cal. and ph very often (daily). Mag. and phos. every once in a while(once a month) ! Sorry, many times, I am not clear on what I am trying to say!?

[Charlie Davidson]

BTW, can calcium tabs--- make us ALOT of money?????!!! LOL!!!!!!! Milk does a body good!!!

[awsomeangels]

LOL Jeff