Newbie that Needs Help with Parameters Please

[Scott Christenson]

Hi Friends,

Here are my current parameters:
Salinity – 1.025
ORP – 440
PH – 8
Temp – 76
Alkalinity – 13.7
Calcium – 345
Magnesium - 1100
Ammonia/Nitrates/Nitrites = 0
Salt - CoraLife = Calcium (400), Magnesium (1150)

Do I need to be concerned about my alkalinity being so high?
Should I be increasing my magnesium first before I attempt to increase calcium?

 

[EmdeReef]

What corals do you have in the tank? I would let alk slowly drop to no more than 10-11, especially if your nitrates are 0 and you keep sps.

I would raise Ca first and then Mg but really only matters if you keep sps and some lps.

 

[Scott Christenson]

Coral:
Green Star Polyp
Duncan
Star Polyp
Zoanthid Green Super
Toadstool Mushroom Leather

 

[EmdeReef]

Coral:
Green Star Polyp
Duncan
Star Polyp
Zoanthid Green Super
Toadstool Mushroom Leather

In your case alk doesn’t matter as much, I would not dose it for sure and still let it slowly fall. You can increase Ca and Mg, you definitely need more nutrients in an lps tank so make sure to have some nitrate and phosphate.

 

[LesPoissons]

Imo- you can not get an accurate alk reading unless your calcium and magnesium are squared away. This is the trifecta of getting accurate readings. In my opinion, your alk should be between 8 and 9, sal 1.026, mag around 1300, ph 8.2 ish, calcium around 400. I'd boost your mag and ca a bit and then retest your alk. What salt are you using and did you use any additives? I'm asking because you're alk reading seems off to me in relation to your other parameters. Unless you added something or tested incorrectly, you reading is skewed bc cal and mag are out of balance. Just my personal experience.
Also if you want those corals to thrive, you need some nitrates (5-10) and some phosphates (0.05 ish) or they starve.

 

[Auto-pilot]

I would think that unless your corals are currently not looking good your alkalinity isn't something to should freak out about, BUT! I would recommend figuring out a way to get that number a little lower. I would dose calcium and magnesium to get it a little higher. Are you dosing and baking soda or buffer ti get your alkalinity that high?