Little bit of an issue. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[Choochoobb]

Hello and good morning everyone. Quick question that has stumped me. Ok.. 40 gallon tank. Currently 2 clowns, 1 shrimp, 1 snail, 1 blue damsel, and a baby yellow tang. Yes I know the tank is not big enough for the tang but someone was getting rid of it so I took it for free. Anyhow. 1 pulsing Xenia, 1 Zoe, 1 mushroom coral. None of the corals are big maybe a quarter size each one. Now all levels are good expect 2. Salt 1.023, ph 7.9, nitrite 10, nitrate 0, amm 0 and here's the kicker calcium 560 and alk about 15/270. I can't seem to get the calcium and alk to stay stable. Local store said for me to dose mag for 2 weeks. I do 5 gallon water change every week using instant ocean salt. Water I use is fine no chemicals in it. I do not have a kit for mag I was told they are very inaccurate. Would dosing mag help in maintaining these and what happens if the mag gets to high. Just looking to get outside the box thinking and suggestions. Thanks.

[Gary Majchrzak]

Before running tests for Ca, dKH, Mg etc. get SG up to 1.025

;)

[Choochoobb]

Right now it's reading 1.023 I have had up to 1.023 the only things that has changed was calcium went to 500-520 but alk has always stayed in the 240+ range. Thanks for the suggestion I will try it again u never know.

[Choochoobb]

Also forgot to add I have 2 hang on back filters and 3
Power heads one pointed up one running long way on top of tank and one mid level so it's getting plenty of water movement to expel co2 if that helps any.

[Treasure Coast]

Maybe switch your salt. I started using Red Sea Coral Pro. It's been doing great for my corals. And like above member stated your salinity is fairly low for coral.

[Choochoobb]

Ok yeah I'll do that. Almost out of it anyhow. Thanks for the suggestion.

[tmz]

Id take the sg up first to 1.026. or 1.025.;then test. The salt mix may be contributing high calcium or it could be testing noise. What salt mix are you using now? Test the newly mixed salt water to see what thwe levels are. 560ppm isn't a big worry though I'd like to see it under 500. I don't know what 15/270 for alk means?

If it means 15 dkh ;it's very high and doesn't jibe with 1.023 sg unless you added supplements.

[twon8]

Nothing wrong with instant ocean. It's been my main salt for a decade+. As others above have said m, Raise you sg up to 1.026 then test.


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[Choochoobb]

It still has the same salt I haven't gotten anything new yet. After making the water the alk is about a 9 to 10 from the container. In tank it's 15. Calcium test from container is about 480 in tank it's pushing 500 so who knows. I'm gonna try a few things and see what happens. I don't supplement with anything only coral food and the minerals needed for them that's it. Maybe it's the food. I do appreciate the help and suggestions.

[nuttyd]

Have you tested for Mag yet? Ultimately mag controls both alk and calcium.

[reefgeezer]

... I don't supplement with anything only coral food and the minerals needed for them that's it. Maybe it's the food. I do appreciate the help and suggestions.

What minerals or products are you adding?