[crossan]

Does anyone know how to lower your calcium levels? Mine is very high, I just did a water change and it is still high!
Thanks!

[Kevin W]

what is the calcium level at exactly?

[crossan]

it is at 630, its scary.

[kolokefalo]

Check your PH. Usually when it is that high most of it is not bioavailable anyway.

[crossan]

my pH is 8.3

[jimw369]

Hey Crossan! Are you using anything to buffer to keep your Ph at 8.3? If your magneseum level is low for the salt load (SG) you have your use of buffers can cause the calcium to precipitate and send your calcium way high.

If Kolokefalo could respond and confirm this( he knows more than I do) it might help in coming up with a solution to your situation.

[mtfabel]

Test for alkalinity. If its low then you can add a akalinity buffer and that should bring your calcium down. i used to have a really good article about how to balance these components but I cant find it Im sorry I will continue to look for it and when I find it I will post it.

[kolokefalo]

This is a really easy way to understand calcium, PH, alkalinity, specific gravity, and magnesium in the aquarium.

Calcium ppm - It is a measure of the amount of available calcium in your aquarium. 450 is what you want. At 550+ it will precipitate out and form cacium carbonate crystals and appear like it is snowing.

PH - Your PH is good. The higher the PH the less calcium that will be held in solution or be bio available for use.

Alkalinity - is a measure of how good your tank can hold up to the contant onslaught of acids without the PH fluctuating. These acids are obviously generated by uneaten food, fish waste, the millions of bacteria dying every day in aquariums, etc. 7-12 DKH is wha you want.

Specific gravity - easy thing to remember the lower the salinity the lower the calcium number can be and still be ok.

Magnesium - Helps make calcium more available and stops the precipitation of the calcium into carbonate.

As stated above definately check your DKH or alkalinity level. Usually when your calcium number gets out of whack that much it can lead to a real big drop in alkalinity. Get the hardness up if it is low and see what happens. I am willing to bet your buffer level has dropped through the floor causing the calcium level to spike. It is a little understood dance reef aquarium owners must master to keep the calcium flowing in to our corals.

I will attempt to find a brilliant article by Craig Bingman years ago which I have saved in my drawer full of old magazines.

[kolokefalo]

Here is a great article about it...a little bit technical but a good read:

Chemistry and the Aquarium

Here is a really technical read....really dry but good as well:

Reefs.org: Where Reefkeeping Begins on the Internet - Water Changes in the Reef Aquarium

[jimw369]

Hey all you reeefers out there that want some real simple info on Calcium.

Print out Kolokefalas post with his explanation for these things in your and put it on your refridgerator. I did.

Thanks Kolo!(Where do you people come from that know this stuff?)

[Six-line Wrasse]

It's basic chemistry. Well, maybe not basic, but chemistry none-the-less.

[crossan]

thanks guys! I will try and let you know how it goes!