low calcium 3 week old tank

[phlibbyreefer]

My tank is on day 18 of equipment running. Started with 60lbs live rock from lfs and 60lbs of dry rock. 80lbs of dry sand. 125 gallon display with trigger sapphire 39 sump. I do have a refugium with chaeto since say 5 (which has been growing impressively). I added bio-spira and 1 clown and 1 royal dottyback on day 3. I am using red sea coral pro salt. I don't mix for more than 30 minutes.

I test at home (api) and my ammonia, nitrite and nitrate all zero. Salt tests 1.025 with my refractometer. My calcium tests (api) at 420 and alkalinity at 9-10.

I have had brown algae (diatoms) over my rocks, sand beds and glass (a lot) since day 7.

my QUESTION is... I have been to 2 different LFS and while I go to look around I figure I would have them check my water. Both shops on different days tell me all of my parameters are good, but my calcium is low (reading 320-340). How come they are both telling me my calcium is low but I am testing 420 at home. Also, why would my calcium be low if I have no corals to consume the calcium?

 

[hijinks7]

don't use API tests they are just bad. I'd buy a different test and re-test or trust the LFS if they are giving you the same results

 

[phlibbyreefer]

don't use API tests they are just bad. I'd buy a different test and re-test or trust the LFS if they are giving you the same results

what test do you trust?

 

[hijinks7]

what test do you trust?

redsea or salifert

 

[phlibbyreefer]

redsea or salifert

I just ordered the hanna testers for alkalinity and calcium. I am trying to minimize human error here. great deals at saltwateraquarium.com

 

[Neo Jeo]

I just ordered the hanna testers for alkalinity and calcium. I am trying to minimize human error here. great deals at saltwateraquarium.com

The calcium from Hanna is horrible. Cancel it. They give different readings each time. I just returned mine. Look them up others have said the same thing. The Alk from hanna is great. I use salifert for calcium, much better. Trust me on this

 

[phlibbyreefer]

The calcium from Hanna is horrible. Cancel it. They give different readings each time. I just returned mine. Look them up others have said the same thing. The Alk from hanna is great. I use salifert for calcium, much better. Trust me on this

ok, I took your advice and cancelled the hanna calcium checker and replaced for the salifert calcium test kit.

 

[madweazl]

In this case, I'd actually trust your API kits. There is nothing to consume calcium and it looks like your alkalinity is in a range consistent with the salt you're using at the salinity you listed.

 

[phlibbyreefer]

In this case, I'd actually trust your API kits. There is nothing to consume calcium and it looks like your alkalinity is in a range consistent with the salt you're using at the salinity you listed.

lfs :mad:

 

[madweazl]

lfs :mad:

Did they test alkalinity and salinity?

Edit: that alkalinity is a bit low for the Pro salt; if the alkalinity is correct, it could be down in the low to mid 300s. How did you calibrate the refractometer?

 

[phlibbyreefer]

Did they test alkalinity and salinity?

yes. 1 said my salinity was low at 1.022 and alk at 8. I went home and tested my salinity at 1.025 and alk at 9. This lfs said my calcium was 320.

 

[phlibbyreefer]

Did they test alkalinity and salinity?

Edit: that alkalinity is a bit low for the Pro salt; if the alkalinity is correct, it could be down in the low to mid 300s. How did you calibrate the refractometer?

I didn't. I just picked up a hygrometer. I also have calibration fluid getting delivered tomorrow for the refractometer.

 

[Retro Reefer]

My advice would be to stop chasing numbers on a 3 week old tank, your just creating a lot of unnecessary work and stress on yourself.. in a few months when it’s cycled and stabilized you can work on stabilizing Ca and any other parameters you feel are important.

 

[phlibbyreefer]

My advice would be to stop chasing numbers on a 3 week old tank, your just creating a lot of unnecessary work and stress on yourself.. in a few months when it’s cycled and stabilized you can work on stabilizing Ca and any other parameters you feel are important.

I think my tank is cycled?

 

[Retro Reefer]

I think my tank is cycled?

Give it a few months, nothing good happens quick in this hobby.. I test for nothing except salinity on my almost 3 year old reef unless something looks really off or I’m really bored

 

[madweazl]

I didn't. I just picked up a hygrometer. I also have calibration fluid getting delivered tomorrow for the refractometer.

Likely just low salinity; you'll find out tomorrow I guess.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Rd Sea Coral Pro has high calcium, and your tank will have calcium at nearly exactly the level in the mix. So it is very unlikely to be low unless salinitiy is low.

 

[User1]

What everyone has said. Order the Hannah alk tester - it is really easy to use and consistent. Salifert for Cal and Mag.

You don't need to test right now with a recently cycled tank - assuming your cycle is complete. Ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate are pretty much all that is needed, maybe ph. You can use Red Sea for those tests. Having just cycled a tank in February, 210 gallons with 150 lbs of dry Pukani, I can second, and third, and fourth the comments to not chase right now. I've moved a 40 breeder into the 210 in April and only now looking at my calcium, alk, and mag numbers. They just are not changing and all within the normal numbers albeit on the low side. So I'll do minor adjustments, manually dose, and after a couple days of that and retest, they are about right. But guess what, still not consuming much of anything...go figure.

My point is that if there isn't anything in the tank that is using it - the numbers will be, or should be, about what your standard makeup what is. So if you want to know what its base is - all things being equal - make a new batch of water, test with the kits recommended, and write those numbers down. Then repeat the tests on your existing tank, and compare. If water change is near do that, then retest. I think you may be surprised.