Hey everyone i was doing my weekly watch change set up and measurements and my alk is at 7.2 and calcium is at 353. i know these are both low. Its a mixed reef. I am using the redsea Foundation line of suppliments and dont want to over dose. the bottle is telling me that i should be at like 11.5 alk and for that i will need to add like 43 ML of concentrate that just seems a little high to me so i figured i would reach out before i nuke my tank.
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- Thread starter LowDime
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Go real slow with increasing or decreasing alk. Better done with small water changes using a salt mix with higher alk.
To Quote Randy:
In general, I suggest that aquarists maintain alkalinity between about 7 and 11 dKH (2.5 to 4 meq/L; 125 to 200 ppm CaCO3 equivalents). Many aquarists growing SPS corals and using ultra-low-nutrient systems (ULNS) have found that the corals suffer from “burnt tips” if the alkalinity is too high or changes too much. It is not at all clear why this is the case, but such aquaria are better served by alkalinity in the 7- to 8-dKH range.
To Quote Randy:
In general, I suggest that aquarists maintain alkalinity between about 7 and 11 dKH (2.5 to 4 meq/L; 125 to 200 ppm CaCO3 equivalents). Many aquarists growing SPS corals and using ultra-low-nutrient systems (ULNS) have found that the corals suffer from “burnt tips” if the alkalinity is too high or changes too much. It is not at all clear why this is the case, but such aquaria are better served by alkalinity in the 7- to 8-dKH range.
PatW
2500 Club Member
For ALK, the rule of thumb is do not change by more than 1 DKH per day. 7.2 is a bit low, but not all that bad. I run at 7.8-8.0 usually for an SPS dominant tank. For other corals, people often run higher. But 9 might be a good spot to be in. 11.5 is on the high side but not terrible.
For the calcium, you want to be 380+. So your reading is low but not terrible. I run at between 400-450. When I dose, I take it up to 450. I generally like being over 400,
You might want to take a water sample to your LFS just to check to see if they get in the same ball park as you do. Also review a you tube video on the test kits you are using just to be sure that you have the procedure down. I am not assuming that you are wrong, but it is safe to check.
For the calcium, you want to be 380+. So your reading is low but not terrible. I run at between 400-450. When I dose, I take it up to 450. I generally like being over 400,
You might want to take a water sample to your LFS just to check to see if they get in the same ball park as you do. Also review a you tube video on the test kits you are using just to be sure that you have the procedure down. I am not assuming that you are wrong, but it is safe to check.
Randy Holmes-Farley
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The alkalinity is fine. Nothing wrong with 7 dKH.
IF the calcium is really at 353 ppm and is not test error, I'd raise it with calcium chloride.
Try your kit first one some new salt water. Might just be that the salinity is low.
IF the calcium is really at 353 ppm and is not test error, I'd raise it with calcium chloride.
Try your kit first one some new salt water. Might just be that the salinity is low.
Randy Holmes-Farley
Reef Chemist
Staff member
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R2R Research
My Tank Thread
Regardless of what you think it is, the salinity may be low due to test error.
