Alkalinity 10? 11? 11.8!? WHY?

[cajunreef985]

Salinity 1.026
Ca 420
Alk tested at (10-11.8 within a weeks time) morning and night (salifert test started with water level in syringe at 8.5)
Phosphates 0
Nitrates 0
pH 8.1z

GSP wont open. frogspawn won’t fully extend. lobo shows a little teeth. lobo also eats when fed reef roids and so does frogspawn. gsp just does nothing for a week now. fish (3) are healthy and happy. excuse my tone [emoji19]. any advice on whats happening would be appreciated. i just want normal alk readings.

 

[Breadman03]

Are you dosing anything? How about a water change? If so, what are the parameters of the new water?

 

[HOOPDEEZ]

Also corals may do poorly if you’re phosphate and nitrates are really 0. If your corals are looking pale that could be more of the culprit. It’s even harder on them to have low nutrients and high alk. If you’re dosing or using Kalk, stop for a bit and monitor only

 

[HOOPDEEZ]

Step up feeding, and feed corals reef roids or chili or whatever coral food often til you get some measurable nitrates

 

[cajunreef985]

Are you dosing anything? How about a water change? If so, what are the parameters of the new water?

i have used the kent purple tech at night. my calcium is usually 400-420 daily.

 

[cajunreef985]

Also corals may do poorly if you’re phosphate and nitrates are really 0. If your corals are looking pale that could be more of the culprit. It’s even harder on them to have low nutrients and high alk. If you’re dosing or using Kalk, stop for a bit and monitor only

I haven’t used any kalk. so wait i thought the goal was to not have phos and nitrates?

 

[cajunreef985]

Step up feeding, and feed corals reef roids or chili or whatever coral food often til you get some measurable nitrates

ok i will. i feed fish frozen brine

 

[cajunreef985]

ok i will. i feed fish frozen brine

so my water is “too clean” ?

 

[Breadman03]

i have used the kent purple tech at night. my calcium is usually 400-420 daily.

That contains minerals and alkalinity. Note that in proportion, alkalinity will be consumed quickly, calcium somewhat slowly, and magnesium very slowly.

NO3 and PO4 are nutrients that your corals and algae need. We generally strive to maintain low amounts, but a true zero means your corals can't survive. The goal is to keep them low enough that pest algea doesn't take over while also keeping a good population of herbivores to control algal growth.

 

[cajunreef985]

That contains minerals and alkalinity. Note that in proportion, alkalinity will be consumed quickly, calcium somewhat slowly, and magnesium very slowly.

NO3 and PO4 are nutrients that your corals and algae need. We generally strive to maintain low amounts, but a true zero means your corals can't survive. The goal is to keep them low enough that pest algea doesn't take over while also keeping a good population of herbivores to control algal growth.

Thank you. I recently had a bad break of GHA which came from a 11 hour lighting schedule and my phos was nuts so you can see why i was happy to get them down but i do understand what you are saying. im going to step up the feeding and monitor carefully after i do a water change today.