Question about Calcium

[TDS1]

So I'm trying to figure out the whole calcium/magnesium/alkalinity relationship, but I can't really seem to find anything pertinent to my situation. My calcium does not seem to change at all, It is always at 440ppm. I have checked with different test kits just to make sure also, and they all read the same. My alkalinity will drop from 9 to 7 within a day, and my magnesium will go from 1300 to 1150 the same day.........however my calcium never drops. Maybe I'm just overreacting, but I feel like somehow the calcium is getting locked out? Does this make sense at all? As for the other water parameters I'm showing no ammonia or nitrates, 1.026 sg, between 77.3 and 78.1 for temp, and PH that peaks at about 8.1 during the day. Is it because my PH isn't quite high enough possibly? I've been reading all sorts of stuff on calcium and magnesium, but everything seems to just talk about precipitation...... Any help is greatly appreciated!

[Rrudo74901]

Do you dose or just WC's?

I am having similar results recently, although I am able to keep the mag and alk up via dosing.

As long as your coral grows and is visibly ok, then I wouldn't go crazy. If you want more growth, dose to keep the alk above 8 and mag above 1300.

[TDS1]

Thanks for the response! I do water changes every other week (about 15%), and I dose to keep my alkalinity at above 8 and magnesium at roughly 1300. I figured that by keeping those levels as constant as I could the calcium would eventually drop into the low-normal range, and I could begin dosing it from there. It hasn't done anything to it though I'm not super worried about it, because like you said, my corals are all growing and gaining/keeping color. I'm just curious as to why it would be happening LOL!

[Rrudo74901]

I am not sure about why it occurs.

440 isn't high for calc, it's right around where you want it. I keep calc at about 480 but it has drifted above that now to 495-500 with no ill effects.

I usually guage it as long as the coral is extending and I have coralline growth, the tank is using the elements and they should drop. I also dose some trace eklements that contains calcium so I am assuming it is being replenished in that dose.