Low Alk/ High Ca Help

[Antman]

Hello all so I am using Seachem Reef Calcium & Reef Carbonate and some how my CA & Alk got out of wack
My Ca is 520 and my alk is 2.4
Can I just skip the CA and use the Reef Carbonate to get the alk up ?
the rest of my water looks like this
Amo 0
Nitrite 0.002
Nitrate 3
Magnesium 480

Thanks

[GimpyFin]

Are you reading dKh or meq/L for alkalinity?

[Antman]

Meq/l

[GimpyFin]

So, you're just under 7 dKH, which is pretty close to normal. Magnesium seems abnormally off. I would verify that test as 480 is about 1/3 of what it should be (1300-ish.)

[Antman]

The CA was high at 520 also

[Antman]

Sorry I use Reef Complete wich has cal and mag not Reef Calcium
But some how I wound up with High CA & Mag and Low alk

[moatdaddy]

100% you can do 1 without the other. the goal is stability and finding the numbers that work for you and your corals. I switched to instant ocean regular salt. It is low on calcium and magnesium. i dose more calcium and magnesium because of this. I find the number i am aiming for, then test for it. If im low i add said element. If im high i water change until i lower it. Do not be afraid to add alkalinity and not calcium if calcium is high.

Bertoni should comment here tonight to either confirm or give more solid advice.

[bertoni]

I hope the magnesium level is a typo for 1480 ppm. 1480 ppm is fine. You can raise the alkalinity a bit if you want. I would keep the daily low at 7 dKH or higher.

[Antman]

Ahhh yes mag 1480