Alk at 5.0?!?

[Mikeand Mel]

I havent tested in about a month, having problems with pagoda only 1/2 opening for a couple of weeks.
Just did tests:
PO4 .23 hanna
NO3 <1ppm Red Sea
Cal 400 API
Mg 1470 Salifert
Ph 7.97 Pinpoint
Alk 90 ppm hanna....new reagent...tested 2x...first time 88

Had what I thought were dinos before xmas treated with 1 or 2 doses vibrant. also dosed NO3.

Dinos? gone...NO3 was up to 10ppm...PO4 .31....all my coraline algae on over flow etc gone, slightly coming back, but nothing to write home about.

I have ESVs 2 part and magnesium additives. Havent done anything yet...ideas?

Tank is 58g, 20g sump

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

If you’re running a lower alk salt , I’d start there with water changes.

You could also dose up slowly. Look at the reef calculator and , go slow.

 

[Mikeand Mel]

Are Reef Crystals lower Alk? I do a 10g water change every two weeks.

What causes Alk to drop?

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Are Reef Crystals lower Alk? I do a 10g water change every two weeks.

What causes Alk to drop?

I think RC is 11 or 12 , so no.
But you can jusr do smaller waterchanges if you have alk sensitively corals.

Corals , corraline , all are the major users of alkalinity. Id def double check your tests if you don’t have a lot stony corals or corraline.
But if it’s been a long while since you did a wc an alk of 7 wouldn’t be a surprise.

Two good articles.

http://successfulreefkeeping.com/learn/reef-tank-101/calcium-and-alkalinity/

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-05/rhf/index.php

 

[dimo]

If you've never dosed calcium and alkalinity, now is the time to start. If you see coraline growing, it'll eat it up, as well as growing stoney corals.