calcium is high

[mr_brix]

hey guys... i did a test today and my calcium is in 500ppm and ph is in 7.8

what should i do?? help pls

thanks

[ricksreef]

what's your alkalinity level?
500 calcium isn't all that high (I shoot for 480ppm) and if your alk is low, dosing buffer will increase your alk and should drop the calcium a bit.

[leebca]

In this post you'll find a chart: What is Water Quality. This table provides you with the balance between Calcium, Magnesium, and Alkalinity.

Choose a level on that table and strive to meet it. If you have a FOWLR aquarium, I would suggest a Calcium level of 410. Reach across from there to see what the others should be. If you are running a reef system, I suggest you choose a Calcium level of 428 and that reading's corresponding Magnesium and Alkalinity.

Make no sudden change. Follow the directions of that post with regards to these three chemicals.

For now, do a large water change (75%) with standard salt mix. Since this will be a large change, follow these guidelines for the change: How to Make a Successful Water Change

Let the tank run for 36 hours after the water change. Make no chemical additions to the water. Do titration test kit tests for those three and then begin to make specific, small adjustments to each to bring them into balance.