Red Sea Coral Pro Salt Parameters Low Alk

[IXP7633]

My tank is alittle over 3 months old. I have been using Red Sea coral pro the entire time. I was about to start introducing coral into the system and i tested my alkalinity for the first time. The results on both my hanna checker and my red sea test kit all said 8.3. The Coral Pro should be around 11.5. I have no coraline algae or any other calcium/ alkalinity depleting organisms in the tank. I make my salt as per the instructions. I use no chemicals other then GFO and Carbon. What could be my problem? Other parameters are 8.1 pH, 1.026 salinity, 2 ppm nitrates, 0 phosphates, 420 calcium, 78 F. I have 2 Fish, small cuc, and a shrimp. No algae during the cycling other then a small diatom bloom and a 5 day cloudiness (perhaps bacterial).

 

[GregDaKeg]

My tank is alittle over 3 months old. I have been using Red Sea coral pro the entire time. I was about to start introducing coral into the system and i tested my alkalinity for the first time. The results on both my hanna checker and my red sea test kit all said 8.3. The Coral Pro should be around 11.5. I have no coraline algae or any other calcium/ alkalinity depleting organisms in the tank. I make my salt as per the instructions. I use no chemicals other then GFO and Carbon. What could be my problem? Other parameters are 8.1 pH, 1.026 salinity, 2 ppm nitrates, 0 phosphates, 420 calcium, 78 F. I have 2 Fish, small cuc, and a shrimp. No algae during the cycling other then a small diatom bloom and a 5 day cloudiness (perhaps bacterial).

I had the same problem. I switched to Fritz.

 

[IXP7633]

What was yours at? and for how long?

 

[GregDaKeg]

What was yours at? and for how long?

About 6 during tank cycle. I did a 80% water change after cycle. I am now running 8.5

 

[SuncrestReef]

I recently tested a batch of freshly mixed Red Sea Coral Pro saltwater at 1.026 salinity and here's what I measured:

Alk = 9.7 dKH
Cal = 420 ppm

 

[BeejReef]

Don't think there's a reason for concern. I'd test a batch of newly mixed saltwater as a reference. Your tank has been up a while and there are other processes that consume some alkalinity in younger tanks. Also some variability in salt batches from the factory and bucket to bucket when we mix at home.

With the very low nitrate and phosphate you've accomplished, you may not want your alkalinity way up at 11 anyhow.
Nice work.