Calcium in saltwater

Question
QUESTION: I have several questions. Does a calcium test have a shelf life? I am getting bright pinks and purples, the test reads as it should be light colors. Also, I am testing water for a friend and all I know is that he has a reef tank. I am getting a ready of 660. I have read that it should be between 400 and 500. What is too high? How do you bring it down and what are the dangers of it being high?

ANSWER: Hello Debbie

Yes, test kits have an expiration.  it should be stamped/printed on the bottom of teh bottle or box..

I dont believe thier is direct harm or danger to the tank that has too high of a Calcium but, there is chance that the addition of ALK at this point will create a 'snow storm'.

Actually what this is a precipitation of the chemical into a solid.

this wont cause any problems with the fish and coral but it will just show up as looking like a snow globe.

(which will clear up over a couple days)

you can lower the calcium with water changes


Please keep in mind that he is probably dosing calcium or other chemicals unnecssarily.  he is also problably LIGHT in the coral department.  (if the tank has little to no corals, then the need for calcium is non existant)

Let me know what the ALK results are, and salinity, (as salinity is directly related to calcium)  the higher the sallinity the higher the calcium..


also, let me know what kind of corals are in your freinds tank..


I look forward to hearing from you and we can continue at that time.


bill



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: His salinity was fine. He did a water change we will see what happened.
I have a flame angel in my 100 gallon tank, which of the other dwarf angels would be compatible with it?
Thanks.

ANSWER: hello,

people tend to have differnt ideas of what FINE is.  I would not ask if I didnt want to know..

as for flame angels, most dwarfs would be ok. the big thing to look for is similar shape/colors.  they dont like same shape same color fish..


good luck

bill


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I have a 100 gallon tank that is six foot long tank that is 18 inches wide and about 18 inches deep.  I recently purchased a six foot long light fixture that I had planned on replacing my 48 inch T-5 fixture with. The new fixture has 3 150 watt metal halide lamps in it. Along the outside edge are 4 compact flourscents (2 on each side). I use all hang on the back filtration. The light is 72 inches by 11 inches. In order to access the front of my tank without constantly sliding the light back and forth, I need to be able to push the light all the way to the back of my canopy. How far about the filters and the top of my tank does the fixture need to be so that I do not melt or wrap any of the plastic on the frame of the tank or the plastic the filters are made out of. I use 2 Emperor 400's and 2 HOT Magnums, along with my protein skimmer. Thanks.

Answer
Hello Debbie,

can you please start another new question, so people can follow along and or read the subjects that may be of interest to them?

I would place the fixture at least 12-16" above the plastic.

Chances are, the light will make the plastic brittle anyways...

You can, and should use fans up there to keep the heat down as well..

good luck



btw:  you can join me at my new forum at

www.Thelittleocean.com

asking questions and answering them is a little easier, and you can get information and replies from others in the community also

I also have a live chat room where you can chat live with me and others.


see you there


b