So me being complacent and not testing my parameter in a long time has resulted in my alkalinity dropping to 5.8 over the period of 2 months! I have a heavily dominant SPS system. I was wondering what to do because I don’t want my tank to crash. Also my tank looks good and only some colonies show some signs of very minimal stress. I have checked my results with three test and Hanna kits and all came out to 5.8-5.9 any help will be greatly appreciated. I really don’t want to lose everything. Also this is my fault for being complacent!!!
ALk dipped to 5.8
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Crabs McJones
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Do you know what calcium is at as well? What were you doing to keep alk levels up? Dosing, water changes, reactor?
Crabs McJones
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So low alk, high calcium, do you know where your mag is sitting at?
I believe at this point I would slowly dose alk to bring it back up but not dose calcium as its already elevated and keep an eye on where your mag level is. #reefsquad any suggestions or changes?
Flippers4pups
Fins up since 1993
I highly doubt that your DKH is that low. There has to be a testing error. Anything under 7 you would see corals melting!
Something is off.
Can you throw up your complete water pramameters?
Something is off.
Can you throw up your complete water pramameters?
If it looks good it is good. It dropped slowly and naturally.
Bring it back up the same slow way and you’ll be fine.
Bring it back up the same slow way and you’ll be fine.
michael giordano
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Bring it up slowly over a weeks period and you will be fine keep it at 7 1/2 for a while maybe a month and go from there. No need to rush anything, like Salty said if it looks good it is good
Flippers4pups
Fins up since 1993
Yes, looks good is normally "good". I agree with you. But,
Good read:
https://www.advancedaquarist.com/2002/11/chemistry
chipmunkofdoom2
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I'd just ramp up alkalinity slowly. Maybe increase the daily dose by about 10% or so, then monitor for a few days and see where that gets your alkalinity. You should also test your magnesium and make sure that's at a suitable level.
The calcium being very high is a bit concerning. Double check your test result with another test kit (or two). After raising the alkalinity, test calcium again. If it's still high, I'd do a few large water changes to correct any lingering imbalances.
You'll want to monitor to make sure your levels don't get out of balance again. Always dose equal parts of calcium and alkalinity, and ideally magnesium as well.
The calcium being very high is a bit concerning. Double check your test result with another test kit (or two). After raising the alkalinity, test calcium again. If it's still high, I'd do a few large water changes to correct any lingering imbalances.
You'll want to monitor to make sure your levels don't get out of balance again. Always dose equal parts of calcium and alkalinity, and ideally magnesium as well.
Cherry Bomb
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Mine went to 4.7 at its lowest! I have been dosing daily but it’s up to 6.7 now. Corals are fine and I have a bunch of different kinds. No melting here.
Dr. Reef
www.drreefsquarantinedfish.com
Low alk itself wont melt corals, it does distress them and they do die. Direct effect of low alk is low pH, lower than 7.6 pH you will see corals melt.
I would double check pH and alk levels with a different kit or take a sample of water to fellow hobbysit or lfs. once determined what all is low slowly increase to acceptable range.
I would double check pH and alk levels with a different kit or take a sample of water to fellow hobbysit or lfs. once determined what all is low slowly increase to acceptable range.
Flippers4pups
Fins up since 1993
Melt=slothing off tissue. Sorry for the wrong terminology.
Hope this clears that up.
Dr. Reef, I'm aware of pH/dkh differences. Thanks.
Sorry if "melt" through everyone off.
Hope this clears that up.
Dr. Reef, I'm aware of pH/dkh differences. Thanks.
Sorry if "melt" through everyone off.
I’ve done it more than once.
In fact the most explosive grwoth ive ever had was over a period of seven weeks while not dosing using natural seawater. The acros and stylos and sps quadruped in size.
I’ve also blown my dosing. Gone to 16.
Sometimes it’s ok to belive your eyes.
Go figure.
Dr. Reef
www.drreefsquarantinedfish.com
i agree with @Crabs Mcjones if alk is low cal is high i would check for mag i bet its off too.
i would start with checking and double checking againt 2 kits on all basics like salinity and pH then alk cal mag.
i would start with checking and double checking againt 2 kits on all basics like salinity and pH then alk cal mag.
Dr. Reef
www.drreefsquarantinedfish.com
@Flippers4pups
i wasnt doubting your words, i am sorry if you got that impression. Just guiding newbies to right chemical process.
i wasnt doubting your words, i am sorry if you got that impression. Just guiding newbies to right chemical process.
I’d just do a water change , check the alk, then dose evenly slowly bringing it back up over weeks like Randy says to.
glb
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Could it be that low Alk is keeping the corals from absorbing the Ca? I know Randy talks about the balance between the 3. I agree with everyone else to bring it up slowly. Water chances could help too. Just nothing drastic.
