Lowering high alk! And adverse effects on corals and fish.

[Rickyreef]

Hello reefers. Newbie here !! Just wanted to ask what you guys know about high alkalinity and its effects on a reef tank. I had an issue where my alk was at 15 ppm. I did a water change and know have it at 12. What you guys think should be the appropriate alkalinity for a 10 gallon nano. I just got soft corales an anemone a clownfish a hawk fish and my cleanup crew. Thanks in advance for your help guys and happy reefing.

 

[P-Dub]

Read the following. Calcium and Alkalinity - Reefkeeping.com

 

[JustDewwit]

1.Be careful when mixing your salt use a scale to weight for accuracy.This makes sure regardless you always have a preset mix.

2.Make sure you have Calibration fuild for your refractometer (very important) and test before mixing salt. My tank suffered a mini crash as a result not having Calibration on refractometer. +

3.Consider adding Auto-top off ASAP to control evaporation. When salinity gets out of check alkalinity rockets.

4. Find the salt which mixes to the desired salinity and alk your seeking. I tried Red Sea Reef salt but all was to high for what I was looking for. I have been use Reef Crystal since and keep a continuous 8.4 dKH

These were some of my top issues I had controlling alkanity in my Biocube32, but now they are all in the past. Best wishes on your tank .

 

[Retro Reefer]

Welcome to R2R!

Do you know your nutrient numbers (nitrate&phosphate)? If your numbers are in line a Alk level of around 10 DKH would probably be ok for your tank however if you have low nutrients I would shoot for somewhere around 8 DKH.

 

[Auquanut]

Welcome to the family! I think @Retro Reefer really nailed it. It wouldn't hurt to test the Alc of your new salt water. Some have much higher Alc than others. I keep an Alk level of about 9.0, but I have NO3 of about 15 and lots of SPS. Fritz mixes up at about 9.0ish.
While your here, why don't you wander over to the "Meet and Greet" section and introduce yourself? There's a lot of great folks here who would love to meet you.

 

[Rickyreef]

1.Be careful when mixing your salt use a scale to weight for accuracy.This makes sure regardless you always have a preset mix.

2.Make sure you have Calibration fuild for your refractometer (very important) and test before mixing salt. My tank suffered a mini crash as a result not having Calibration on refractometer. +

3.Consider adding Auto-top off ASAP to control evaporation. When salinity gets out of check alkalinity rockets.

4. Find the salt which mixes to the desired salinity and alk your seeking. I tried Red Sea Reef salt but all was to high for what I was looking for. I have been use Reef Crystal since and keep a continuous 8.4 dKH

These were some of my top issues I had controlling alkanity in my Biocube32, but now they are all in the past. Best wishes on your tank .

Thank you very much for your response !! I will check my calibration and on New Years I’m getting an
ATO!!

 

[Rickyreef]

Welcome to the family! I think @Retro Reefer really nailed it. It wouldn't hurt to test the Alc of your new salt water. Some have much higher Alc than others. I keep an Alk level of about 9.0, but I have NO3 of about 15 and lots of SPS. Fritz mixes up at about 9.0ish.
While your here, why don't you wander over to the "Meet and Greet" section and introduce yourself? There's a lot of great folks here who would love to meet you.

Thanks !! I will be introducing my self as soon as i get back home I’m on a business trip till tomorrow afternoon. Ill keep you guys posted