Help please

[Goaway]

I can't believe I've never heard of that calculator before!

Book mark it. I used it since 2006. My reef waters friend!

 

[ying yang]

What is NSW? I've always had good range numbers and never had to dose so I'm learning.

Nsw = natural sea water

 

[Rmckoy]

I keep my alk at 7.5 dkh

that being said .
I know if salinity is a little low . It will show with lower alk .

confirm your salinity is correct .

 

[Jilly92]

Nsw = natural sea water

I've heard so many different numbers for nsw I don't know what to believe lol

 

[Jilly92]

I keep my alk at 7.5 dkh

that being said .
I know if salinity is a little low . It will show with lower alk .

confirm your salinity is correct .

Thought that might be right since I just topped off but it's 1.024

 

[Jilly92]

ALK of 7 is what NSW is, it's not that low FYI.

Most like to keep it in the middle for a little wiggle room of around 8. I personally keep my tank at 7 to 7.5.

Sodium bicarb yes has a small PH lowering effect, but at the amount your adding, you probably won't even notice the slight lowering of PH.

Curious though, what have you been adding for 2 part?

I top off with dechlorinated & heavy metal detoxed tap water, 5 gal once a month to regain trace elements and what not for 55 gal. I know yall will come for me lol.

 

[Jilly92]

I shoot for 11.5 on my reef tank but it is hard to keep it there.

How often do you test for dkh when trying to keep those levels?

 

[arking_mark]

This may be of some assistance;

The 12 Commandments of Reef Keeping

Nothing good happens fast in a reef tank Triple-check before you believe any observations or make any changes to your tank Only make one change at a time in your reef tank Use the right tool for the right job Only dose what you can test for Don't chase #s, chase stability. When altering the...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[Rmckoy]

Thought that might be right since I just topped off but it's 1.024

When I mix my salt it’s at 1.026
Through skimming , ato , it always ends up at 1.024

all 7.5 dkh and cal 425

 

[Rmckoy]

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-05/rhf/

I’m sure Randy will appreciate this

I’ve been using this as guidelines for years

 

[Jilly92]

This may be of some assistance;

The 12 Commandments of Reef Keeping

Nothing good happens fast in a reef tank Triple-check before you believe any observations or make any changes to your tank Only make one change at a time in your reef tank Use the right tool for the right job Only dose what you can test for Don't chase #s, chase stability. When altering the...

www.reef2reef.com

Thank you

 

[Jilly92]

When I mix my salt it’s at 1.026
Through skimming , ato , it always ends up at 1.024

all 7.5 dkh and cal 425

I try to mix at around 1.023 incase I get behind on top off I won't have high salinity. But it usually stays around 1.025

 

[Jilly92]

I’m sure Randy will appreciate this

I’ve been using this as guidelines for years

Thank you

 

[arking_mark]

Thank you

You've got several answers to your questions. Here are some additional thoughts:
1. Triple-check your measurements and try to figure out why your Alk may be lower than desired. Measurements in this hobby are prone to error and inaccuracy. Ca is typically plentiful in our reef tanks with +/- 20ppm or greater inaccuracy in our kits. So a "large" drop in Alk may often not show up in Ca test even though Ca mas most likely consumed. Don't overlook low salinity as an issue. Again our hobby testing devices are not very precise. Your tank may also be consuming Alk/Ca due to abiotic precipitation and biological demand.
2. If you have a small tank, larger water changes over a couple of weeks are usually a great way to remediate water quality issues.
3. If your tank is consuming Alk/Ca, there are a ton of dosing options to supplement the tank.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I've heard so many different numbers for nsw I don't know what to believe lol

lol

There should not be any variation in what NSW is for major ions, except as salinity changes (unless it is analyzed near a river mouth).

35 ppt is the world ocean average for salinity, with matching numbers being calcium 420 ppm, magnesium 1280 ppm, and alk about 6.44 dKH.

 

[Jilly92]

Is ab+ a 2 part or just additive?

 

[arking_mark]

Is ab+ a 2 part or just additive?

Reef Energy AB+? That's just an amino-based additive for corals. Nothing to do with Alk/Ca.

 

[Jilly92]

Reef Energy AB+? That's just an amino-based additive for corals. Nothing to do with Alk/Ca.

Ok thank you

 

[Rmckoy]

Reef Energy AB+? That's just an amino-based additive for corals. Nothing to do with Alk/Ca.

Correct me if I’m wrong. .
But I thought I remember Randy writing in another post that it will effect alk and or cal

 

[Rmckoy]

Thank you

You’re welcome .