Hi there, I have a lightly stocked tank with coraline growing fine. I mostly have LPS with a couple smallish frags of SPS. I tested calcium a four days ago and it was low (370) so I buffered it up to 420. I tested it again today (4 days later) and it seems to be back down to about 370. I tested it twice to confirm but I think my reading is accurate. I have about 60 gallons of water volume. Is a drop of about 50 points over that timeframe typical for a lightly stocked tank? If so, I’ll probably need to really start dosing a lot more calcium.
Calcium usage?
- Thread starter Gdel
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- calcium levels
Calcium doesn't drop that fast, not even in most sps heavy tanks I've seen. Which test kit are you using and have you taken some water into a store for testing? Also do to test for Alkalinity? That is the more important one to test regularly for.
This is the checker I’m using. I’ve been suing my RODI water (for my baseline test) but what I might try is to go purchase some store bought DI water and see if the results differ. I’ll also review some you tube tutorials and make sure I’m not screwing up the testing process.
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Toss that one. When I was using it my readings were all over the place.
I'm one of the few that like that test. But the procedure needs to be meticulous and exact each time.
Its also a good idea to have a backup test to compare against. You can also take a sample to a store.
Its also a good idea to have a backup test to compare against. You can also take a sample to a store.
Just watched a tutorial and I was doing the test wrong…. Luckily I didn’t attempt
make any corrections to my parameters. It’s seems li every time I get a wacked out test result it’s user error…. Lesson learned, review instructions and test again.
make any corrections to my parameters. It’s seems li every time I get a wacked out test result it’s user error…. Lesson learned, review instructions and test again.
9 times out of ten odd ball test results are user error. Be certain you've got correct numbers before making adjustments. When in doubt test again, if still in doubt test with a different test kit or take a sample to an LFS.
Have you checked the magnesium level?
