PARAM HELP PLS

Clipsterzzz · Jul 20, 2018

Hey guys! My 55 gallon Reef tank has weird levels I want to fix.
Here are my current parameters:
Salinity: 35ppt
Cal: 455
Mag:1600
Alk:6.7-7.0dkh
Ph: 7.6(Always 7.6)
I use salifert to test these params besides ph, the store tests it.
My corals barely grew. They are surviving but not thriving one hammer coral is growing another head for months but it hasn't seperated. things look happy tho besides 1 coral.
I use Reef crystals with RO. Here are params for freshly mixed saltwater:
Salinity:35ppt
Alk: 11.2dkh
Cal:500
Mag:1560
Ph:7.6
They're always this high. So I'm trying to increase only my alkalinity and ph in the tank. Anyone know what to use and how much to get my alk to 8 and ph to 8.1 and keep it there? Thank you, Faaris
Ps I do 5 gallon weekly water changes

Joe Grubbs · Jul 20, 2018

Clipsterzzz said:
They're always this high. So I'm trying to increase only my alkalinity and ph in the tank. Anyone know what to use and how much to get my alk to 8 and ph to 8.1 and keep it there? Thank you, Faaris
Ps I do 5 gallon weekly water changes

There's a lot of good articles posted on chemistry balance. Let me suggest reading some of the work which @Randy Holmes-Farley has published. For example: https://www.reef2reef.com/ams/ph-and-the-reef-aquarium.7/

Clipsterzzz · Jul 20, 2018

Im guessing I should use sodium carbonate?

Martin Kuhn · Jul 21, 2018

I would first check if your salinity measuring is ok. As salinity is higher than you think, the other values are elevated too.

Let us know with which instruments you measure salinity.
Also if and how you calibrate before reading the results

——
For coral grow 2nd nutrient levels should be in a good range.
How high are Nitrate and phosphate levels?
With which kits did you measure these ?

Rgds Martin

Clipsterzzz · Jul 21, 2018

Salinity is 35ppt measured with refractometer. I calibrated it prior to measuring. My nitrates are 0 and phosphates 0(have a little bit of cyano. I forgot to mention. I ordered a large Rose bubble tip anemone a day ago and it is arroving tomorrow. Should I be concerned of these levels and it? Ph is always 7.6 but the other corals are fine. If I get it in the tank then start increasing ph and alk would it harm the anemone?

(These params were measured using API but also retested at lfs)

Randy Holmes-Farley · Jul 21, 2018

If the pH is accurate (it may not be), then the pH at 7.6 is likely one contribution to slow hard coral growth, and raising it may help. There are many ways to do that:

pH And The Reef Aquarium
http://www.reefedition.com/ph-and-the-reef-aquarium/

Martin Kuhn · Jul 21, 2018

Your refractometer is one made for saltwater ?
You calibrated at a point of around 35psu using a calibration fluid ?

Phosphate at 0 ..... if it is really 0 .... is too low. Nitrates also but not as critical

As for your a bit low pH:
Your water surface has circulation and the air above your tank can excape / Exchange from there ?
Their air within your tanks /skimmers room can exchange with fresh air ?
You don’t have any fouling stuff in your tank ?
Calcium reactors with a too high flow rate, delivering CO2 in your tank can also be a reason for a low tank ph