HELP! Low KH and Ca

[nsakis]

So after nearly losing my nem and melting some zoas for the first time ever, I went into panic mode. Hoping someone can help me out here. Basically what I have been dealing with for 2 weeks now is a KH of 5.5 and a 'very low' Calcium (I didnt get the exact reading cuz I had Jeremy check it for me at Mystic Reef). All other parameters are listed:

pH - 8.2
Ammonia - 0
Nitrite - 0
Nitrate - 30
Phosphate - 0

Inhabitants - 2 clowns, yellow tang, foxface, cleaner shrimp, emerald crab, a few zoa and lps frags

I have been dosing 2 part and it actually dropped my KH from 6.5 to 5.5. Something is clearly 'off' and I cant seem to figure it out. I could give a bunch more info on the tank but Im not sure what is relevant. I appreciate any help in advance.

 

[Squared]

what salt mix are you using? what is calcium at?

 

[pgr11]

Go right now and buy a test kit. Without testing and knowing what your #'s are exactly we won't know how to help you. A test kit is a must

 

[Assyrian fish guy]

the best way to get things back in order is to do a water change. b4 you add the new water to your tank test it, and also test you tank parmas too. once you do that your kh should go back up. after 24 hrs retest your tank water and does as needed. if you see ur kh or cal go down after you dose than there something wrong with your buffers.

also what brand are you using to dose?

 

[nsakis]

what salt mix are you using? what is calcium at?

I was using Tropic Marin. I just did a 30% water change with Reef Crystals today. Im not sure exactly what Calcium is at. I was just told 'very low.'

Go right now and buy a test kit. Without testing and knowing what your #'s are exactly we won't know how to help you. A test kit is a must

I agree and actually meant to ask if there is something more besides Ca that I should be testing and which brand of test kit I should go with. I always hear debate on which ones are most dependable.

 

[nsakis]

the best way to get things back in order is to do a water change. b4 you add the new water to your tank test it, and also test you tank parmas too. once you do that your kh should go back up. after 24 hrs retest your tank water and does as needed. if you see ur kh or cal go down after you dose than there something wrong with your buffers.

also what brand are you using to dose?

I am dosing with Warner Marine

 

[Ocegueda 79]

Don't forget to buy a magnesium test kit also..

 

[happaman]

I have issues with TM in the past, specifically low alk. I switched back. Reef Crystals is good but hafta say testing is key. LaMotte for alk and Elos for Calcium/magnesium are the best imo.

Just don't panic or move too fast as previous posts have said.

 

[pgr11]

Cal, Alk, Mag, phospate ant nitrate. This will get you going. Saying "very low" is not good enough. As far as the right brand of test kit some like salifert, or red sea and some api. It's important that you go now and get the test kit's before you go any further. If you start just dosing randomly you can re3ally screw things up. Go get the test now then test and come back here with the results. Then we can go from there

 

[Reef Bullet]

Magnesium is really important to know because if it is way out of range it can throw other things way off and maybe the reason your alkalinity is dropping. There needs to be a balance between CA, alk, and mag. Think of it as a tripod... if one leg is off, it throws everything else off. If you are dosing and it's dropping more after, this may be the culprit... also, you aren't dosing CA and alk together at the same time are you? This will cause them to bind together and precipitate

 

[Emac909]

Nick if u want to cruse up to Yucaipa I can test every thing for u tonight. Do u still have my cell?

 

[nsakis]

also, you aren't dosing CA and alk together at the same time are you? This will cause then to bind together and precipitate

I dose one in the sump and the other in the tank, both in high flow areas. Should I be dosing with more time in between?

 

[nsakis]

Nick if u want to cruse up to Yucaipa I can test every thing for u tonight. Do u still have my cell?

Ah what the hell, Ive got nothing else to do. Im sure I still have your cell but I dont know what I saved it under. PM me with your cell and address

 

[pgr11]

I dose one in the sump and the other in the tank, both in high flow areas. Should I be dosing with more time in between?

Yes at least an hr apart.

 

[Emac909]

Oops post

 

[Emac909]

Pm sent

 

[Reef Bullet]

Yes at least an hr apart.

At least... I say even longer.

 

[nsakis]

Eric was nice enough to test my water for me. My test kit is clearly not doing its job but here is what he got...

KH - 7.5
Ca - 350
PO4 - 0.1
NO3 - 10
Mg - 1120

I guess Ill just go slow n steady with the dosing and hope for the best unless someone has better suggestions....

 

[hbtl_ofndr]

Definitely not as scary... If you want to be agressive you could get your params to "ideal" in four days.

 

[pgr11]

Definitely not as scary... If you want to be agressive you could get your params to "ideal" in four days.

Yep not terrible. Dose every day until you get them to the ideal range. Test everyday before you dose and at the same time each day. Once you get there you can figure out your daily consumption rate and dose accordingly