High calcium low alkalinity

[Stephen8169301]

alkalinity:5-6 redsea

calcium:480-500 api

magnesium:1500 redsea

ph:8.2 redsea

salt 1.026

temp: 76

my tank is about 8months old
I have coral growth should I just let my tank be with the alk at that range I also did water change 3 days ago

 

[Spare time]

7KH is the minemum recommended, but most people seem to prefer a higher value to create buffer zone. Bicarbonate is the easiest to make a large adjustments as it doesn't spike the pH.

 

[Stephen8169301]

7KH is the minemum recommended, but most people seem to prefer a higher value to create buffer zone. Bicarbonate is the easiest to make a large adjustments as it doesn't spike the pH.

Bring that I’m still very fresh I’m scared to tank my livestock

 

[Spare time]

Bring that I’m still very fresh I’m scared to tank my livestock

Bicarb is very easy to dose without issues (I like the brs pouch). You can double check with another test kit to be sure, or better yet a fresh mix of saltwater.

 

[Stephen8169301]

Bicarb is very easy to dose without issues (I like the brs pouch). You can double check with another test kit to be sure, or better yet a fresh mix of saltwater.

Okay I’ll try it on fresh salt mix I use instant ocean reef crystals if it still shows the same can I raise it in the fresh batch of water during water change

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

It would likely be a kit issue if RC salt mix showed 6 dKH.

 

[Spare time]

Okay I’ll try it on fresh salt mix I use instant ocean reef crystals if it still shows the same can I raise it in the fresh batch of water during water change

Hmm, what salinity do you mix it at? That is a very high alk salt so. If corals or coralline were consuming alk a lot (and assuming you do regularly scheduled water changes), your calcium would also be low. When ammonia is converted to nitrate, alk is lowered, which is one way it could have decreased. As Randy mentioned, its probably some error with the kit or testing if you get that low of an alk read out on a fresh batch of saltwater using rc assuming the salinity is in the right range.

 

[Stephen8169301]

Hmm, what salinity do you mix it at? That is a very high alk salt so. If corals or coralline were consuming alk a lot (and assuming you do regularly scheduled water changes), your calcium would also be low. When ammonia is converted to nitrate, alk is lowered, which is one way it could have decreased. As Randy mentioned, its probably some error with the kit or testing if you get that low of an alk read out on a fresh batch of saltwater using rc assuming the salinity is in the right range.

I usually run at 1.026 I will try and do a retest now of my alk now

 

[Spare time]

I usually run at 1.026 I will try and do a retest now of my alk now

Yeah as Randy said, its probably an issue with the test kit itself.

 

[Stephen8169301]

Yeah as Randy said, it’s probably an issue with the test kit itself.

@Randy Holmes-Farley @Spare time yeah so I tested my tank angina at this is probably the most accurate test I did and it came up 6dkh

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

@Randy Holmes-Farley @Spare time yeah so I tested my tank angina at this is probably the most accurate test I did and it came up 6dkh

There's no reason to think the tank isn't at 6 dKH, unelss you test new RC salt water and it is also low.

Be sure you aren't reading the syringe backwards. More fluid added to the endpoint has to mean higher alk.

 

[Stephen8169301]

There's no reason to think the tank isn't at 6 dKH, unelss you test new RC salt water and it is also low.

Be sure you aren't reading the syringe backwards. More fluid added to the endpoint has to mean higher alk.

I would agree everything in my tank seems happy my scheduled water change is next Friday I will test it then and if it is the same then I’ll try a different test and update then here are photos of corals I have in tank incase you see something that I don’t I was moving some zoas around so things may be a little mad at me

*** forgot to mention my Xenia has not been pulsating like it use to it’s in a low flow spot

 

[Stephen8169301]

There's no reason to think the tank isn't at 6 dKH, unelss you test new RC salt water and it is also low.

Be sure you aren't reading the syringe backwards. More fluid added to the endpoint has to mean higher alk.

@Randy Holmes-Farley

Hey Randy!

So I went to the LFS today and picked up the API Kh test and checked my levels there reading more like 7 to 7.5 I think I will use this test from now on

Thanks!

Steve