Low alkalinity?

[nlutfi]

I have an IM nuvo 40 that's been running for about 3 months. The tank is currently fallow due to Brook/velvet issues and will be for another month or so. I use tropic Marin pro reef salt and my alk has been around 7.5 but today it is down to 7. I did a 10g water change about a week ago as well. Is 7 to low? Everything seems to be doing ok, but not sure if I should be trying to raise it. Here are my current parameters and a fts. I have mostly lps and zoa's with a few easy sps mixed in.

 

[BranchingHammer]

I’ve heard some reefers run their alkalinity at 6.5 for sps. But that’s the lowest I’ve ever heard. The main thing is keeping whatever number you have constant and not chasing a certain number.

 

[nlutfi]

Yes it's been consistently around 7.5 or so

 

[W1ngz]

let evaporation move your salinity up to 1.026 and your calcium and alk will follow to about 430 and 7.4-7.5. Top it off with salt water again, and then just try and keep it +/- 0.3 of where it is.

 

[nlutfi]

Awesome ty I'll try and get my salinity up.

 

[W1ngz]

remember to calibrate your refractometer also.

 

[nlutfi]

remember to calibrate your refractometer also.

Ty, I did just have to recalibrate a few days ago that's how it got a little low.

 

[W1ngz]

Ty, I did just have to recalibrate a few days ago that's how it got a little low.

Awesome, nice tank for 3 months in!

 

[nlutfi]

Awesome, nice tank for 3 months in!

Ty! Other then the Brook/velvet outbreak everything has been going pretty good!

 

[W1ngz]

Ty! Other then the Brook/velvet outbreak everything has been going pretty good!

Probably worthwhile to look into a quarantine system. If you're still fallow, you have some time to set it up and cycle it to try and mitigate those kinds of issues.

 

[nlutfi]

I have a 10qt set up now with my fish that made it 2 black clarkii's and a yellow watchman goby. I lost my Midas blenny and leopard wrasse unfortunately but everyone else has beat it. I plan to qt all new fish from now on