High Ph and Calcium levels

[VoodooChild]

Heyya folks. Sorry for you bugging you again. What are the consequences of having high pH and calcium levels? My pH is running at around 8.4 and the calcium is about 500ppm. Now, I added a buffer before I tested it (stupid me), so I think that enough water changes can bring that down. I'm setting up a 20L to have saltwater ready for water changes. The pH around here is around 7.8 or a bit higher. I plan on putting 3/4 of tap water in the tank and a quarter R.O. water, then buffer it up from there. So anyways, just wondering about the consequences. Thank you.

[slipknottin]

That Ph is fine. My tank hits 8.4 during the day and drops to 8.25 at night.

[VoodooChild]

Alright...good to hear. Perhaps all the R.O. isn't necessary...though I suppose my Amazon tank will like it...Anyways! Any word on high calcium? Thanks again.

[slipknottin]

Well your calcium is certainly high. I cant tell you exactly what is going on because I dont know your alk levels. However, give it a couple days and youll see your calcium levels start to drop. You can then start adding buffer to keep your alk stable.

Alk and calcium levels are really competing for the same space...having a high calcium level means youll have a low alk level and vicea versa.

[VoodooChild]

I tested my alkalinity and that seemed pretty high too. Perhaps I'm reading the tests wrong. I don't remember exactlly what it tested at, but it was high. I don't have anything in there yet, also, so I don't think anything is utilizing the calcium that would cause a drop. I'll do the R.O. anyways, perhaps a 1:1 ratio. Thanks for the help. Also, if I plan on having a few fish, some shrimp, hermits, and perhaps an urchin and snails, is the calcium still necessary? I know the Iodine is for the inverts molting, but I was curious as to how vital C is without clams and coral, just LR.

[slipknottin]

many species of macro algaes, coralline, snails, shrimp, hermits, all use calcium.

Coralline and macro algaes can rapidly deplete the tank of calcium. Youd be suprised.

[kpatrick]

Hey VooDoo im fighting the same thing you are. My calcium is high and so is my KH. I am currently doing water changes with R/O water but so far I havent seen any movement. My pH is setting at 8.4 and that doesnt bother me as much as the KH of 14 does! Hopefully we can figure something out soon.

[VoodooChild]

How much R.O. are you using (like tank size and water change size)? Do you have a system, or are you just buying from a store? Thanks alot for the advice guys. Good to know I'm not alone.

[kpatrick]

I have a 125 FOWLR and currently im changing 5 gallons every week. Someone recommended that I try it that way at first to see what happens. I am currently getting R/O water from Walmart for 53 cents a gallon. Im sure there are cheaper ways to get it but for the short term this is my method. I just checked my water and the PH is 8.4, calcium is 400, and the KH is still pretty high at 14. maybe someone will come along and have the perfect solution for us soon.

[VoodooChild]

Cub sells R.O. for cheap. It's around $11 for a five gallon jug, then refills are only around $1.19 if I remember correctly. I believe that's what I'm going to do.