Alk and light issues

[Fishhands]

Ia it possible for alk to stabilize to a point where it wont drop? The reason i ask is my tank has had all sps die. I run sanrise 165w led and cant get that dialed in either. Test kits that i cant get a good read on (red sea) says alk was maybe 11. I was trying to run high because i thought it was supposed to boost growth. I dosed alk and calcium and the numbers never matched i was always adding 10 times as much calc as alk. Never able to get even. Well alk and lights burned crap out of sps. Ive been teying to let it drop and it wont go below 9.1. Haven't done a wc in two weeks my shrimp died. All sps dead down to its last tissue. My lps and 3 paly polyps are fine. I cant set light correctly and can't get a good element balance.

 

[glb]

I would do a water change pronto. If the Ca/Alk ratio is off, that would be the quickest way to get back on track. Someone else will have to chime in about the lights. Good luck!

 

[Fishhands]

I did a 50 Percent wc and then had white slime explode im assuming a bacteria bloom. Then shrimp died.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Do you have the nutrient parameters?

What were you using to dose calcium and alk?

The tank is 24g cube. 16t x18x14 display.Right now i have them at 5 white, 26 blue, 26violet. Do you think this is the cause of my corals melting away. Not enough light? I thought it was due to alk spike. But im not sure if it really did spike. I just cant read test kit colors. Stopped dosing anything and relied on wc only.

What's your water pramaters?

 

[Flippers4pups]

If your having difficultly reading your test results, see if you could have someone in the family help, friend or maybe at the LFS that could be willing to help. Possible local reef club? If you were close by, I'd help you.

 

[madweazl]

There really isn't a direct correlation between Ca and alkalinity in regard to numbers; with that said, what were the results of both tests? If you were adding significantly more Ca than alkalinity, chances are it was precipitating out and doing nothing. Can you post alkalinity, Ca, and Mg?

 

[Scorpius]

There's a fine balance between alkalinity, lighting, flow, temperature nutrients and just about everything else in reefing. Without knowing a plethora of tank parameters we cannot begin to answer your questions.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

There really isn't a direct correlation between Ca and alkalinity in regard to numbers; w

Whut...

 

[madweazl]

Whut...

A specific alkalinity doesn't correspond to a specific calcium level.

 

[Fishhands]

Just tested alk 9.1 ca 400 mg1360 (red sea) nitrate and phosphate undetectable on api

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

A specific alkalinity doesn't correspond to a specific calcium level.

Got it. Sorry oddly worded.

Just tested alk 9.1 ca 400 mg1360 (red sea) nitrate and phosphate undetectable on api

Is it a very new tank?
High alk is very difficult on corals with low nutrints.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Just tested alk 9.1 ca 400 mg1360 (red sea) nitrate and phosphate undetectable on api

May we see a full picture of the tank?

 

[madweazl]

Got it. Sorry oddly worded.


Is it a very new tank?
High alk is very difficult on corals with low nutrints.

Just tested alk 9.1 ca 400 mg1360 (red sea) nitrate and phosphate undetectable on api

Are the API test kits known for providing reliable low range results (I've never used them)?

 

[cracker]

The levels sound pretty good to me, I Want to see what other say.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Are the API test kits known for providing reliable low range results (I've never used them)?

No theyre not. But if it shows no trace and his alk was 11 it's a safe bet it has caused problembs.


This is my favorite Red Sea alk cal mag how to video.

 

[madweazl]

But it has come down to 9 now, correct?

Edit: 9.1

 

[Fishhands]

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Very young? What salt are you using?

 

[Fishhands]

Two yrs old... brightwell neomarine.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Two yrs old... brightwell neomarine.

What are you dosing and how? Manual or auto?