calcium

Question
Nitrate =0
Ammonia =.05
Salinity/S.G. =1.026
Temperature =78
pH =8.2
(if Reef/coral, please include the following)
Calcium =530+
Alk not sure
My systems have been up for years. About 3 months ago transferred all my goodies from a 30 to a 40gal. Bought a extreme pro lighting sys for it and was looking to get a few corals.After adding the new light all my purple coraline aglae turned pink. Read that it can sometimes react like that when you expose it to a higher light then it is used to.Bought some purple up to try and perk it up and some test kits for Ca and phosphates in anticipation for some corals and goodies. I was incredibly surprized the CA was as high as it was.520+!?!?!? (520 is as high as the test goes) I have never added a single Calcium suppliment to the tank. Now im afraid to put in the purple up due to the lvl of the Ca, but im really wishing the coraline was dark again. I do have a bit of live rock , but didnt think there was enough to make the Ca that high. Not sure what to do now. Plenty of calcium for the coraline , but no change. Worries me for corals. Any suggestions?

Answer
Hello Kin,  (I changed the question to public so others may read this)

The purple up is mostly calcium...

It is also 'snake oil' in that folks buy it for the purpose of growing coraline algae...

Basically coraline will grow in a healthy system.. it will grow when it is ready, and not before..  It may also grow out green instead of purple...

But, unless you want your tank for the sole purpose of coraline, i would ignore that 'purpose' and worry about what you really want to keep which is corals...

And yes, they will need calcium too, which will help the coraline...

530 is huge, but i have never heard of anything negative from having such high readings.


it will go down over time, (with each water change)... so, i doubt you will need to supliment for a long while..

btw:  even when you ahve corals, i doubt you will have enough corals to warrant the need for suppliment...

you will have a constant source of calcium with each water change... no need to buy extra stuff... UNLESS you have a huge amount of corals and 'calcium' needy critters....


And for now on, please do not put anything into your tank, unless you need it... you will be much happier with the results...


good luck

and please keep me posted


bill