Calcium levels

[pipegarcia]

My calcium level is 560-580 ppm. How is the best way to reduce that level?

[Billybeau1]

Are you sure its not test kit error? Using Oceanic salt by any chance? You might try testing a batch of freshly mixed salt water to make sure your test kit is ok.

[pipegarcia]

I'm using tropic marin reef salt & change to sea salt to make the water changes. I test a freshly mixed salt water with the tropic amrin sea salt & the test read 500 ppm. I made 2 days 20% water change to decrease the calcium with no efect. I'm using the Aquarium Pharmaceutical Calcium test kit.

[Billybeau1]

Do you know what your alk is ?

[pipegarcia]

Alk 5.2 meq/L or 14.56 dKH
pH 8.8
Ca 580 ppm
Spec Grav. 31 ppt
0 ammo
0 nitrite
0 nitrate
0 phosphate

[Billybeau1]

Wow, everything is high. How are you measuring SG ?

[pipegarcia]

Coralife 6 inches SG

[Billybeau1]

I dont understand. Is that a swing arm hydrometer?

[pipegarcia]

Coralife 6 inches SG

[Billybeau1]

Well my only thought is that maybe your specific gravity is higher than you think. That would account for the higher levels of everything. If you cant get your hands on a refractometer, maybe your local fish store can test a sample of your water to verify your results.

[pipegarcia]

Yes it is

[Billybeau1]

Swing arm hydrometers have been known to be very inaccurate.