Carbonate Hardness Drop

[Luvthekeys]

Never took Chemistry so my knowledge comes from reading online about tank parameters. Two days ago when I tested the water in my tank the DKH was 9, Calcium was 400 and Magnesium was 1500. This morning my dKH tested at 6 (did the test twice) however calcium was still 400 and Magnesium was still 1500. I thought this three were related and one or two would affect the others. My question is what could have caused the drop in dKH without a change in my calcium or magnesium? Or am I mistaken with my assumption that the three are related and affect each other. I added some Kent Pro Buffer. I hope that was the right decision to raise my dKH.

 

[saltyphish]

Depending on what you have your tank stocked with is why possibly. Many people only need to dose alk and not calcium or mag including myself. Everything else is maintained through water changes. I have never used kent pro buffer so can't help there.

 

[Russ265]

i concur. i dose alk and nitrate. the rest dont need much.

my tank is young though and requirements will change.