Alkalinity problem can’t solved

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Never thought of it. so the reading when tested with Refractometer it’s salinity or gravity? I am confused now.

That's like asking what units of measure a balance reports, kilograms or pounds. Could be either, or both.

What refractometer?

 

[johndo]

The refractometer is just giving you the result in a value that is more useful, it’s measuring in one thing but then saying it’s equal to another, eg it’s measuring the refractive index of the water but giving the reading in ppt.

if I were you I would pick one and stick to it, be it 1.026 or 35ppt, I saw you said your salinity was a little off, I would correct that as that leads to all your other parameters being off like alk and calcium. Etc

Thanks
If I am using the Refractometer to test then should raise it to 1.026 now mine at 1.024?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Thanks
If I am using the Refractometer to test then should raise it to 1.026 now mine at 1.024?

I personally recommend keeping reef tanks at about 35 ppt (sg = 1.0264).

But in your case, raising salinity will raise alkalinity, and if high alkalinity is a concern, that will not help. A rise from sg = 1.024 to 1.026 will boost alk from 11.0 dKH to 11.9 dKH.

 

[Reef.]

Thanks
If I am using the Refractometer to test then should raise it to 1.026 now mine at 1.024?

Yes, as that is quite low, salinity is best being very stable, if raising it will throw off your other parameters I would correct those if needs be, your alk is high anyway I would look to correct it in the salt mixing tub before it makes it to your tank, or change salt to a lower alk salt, Red Sea blue bucket is right in the middle at around 8.

 

[johndo]

That's like asking what units of measure a balance reports, kilograms or pounds. Could be either, or both.

What refractometer?