Water perimeters

[Acemann]

Hey guys, I have some questions with dkh I’ve been trying to get it lower because it’s at 196 but I feel like my tests aren’t working properly because I have the cheap api reef master test kit. I’m thinking on upgrading to the Hanna checkers. I dose api calcium. I’m pretty new to this only been going for about 6 months. Should I try to use some Malaysian drift wood for the dkh?

I have a 100 gallon acrylic tank
I have a powder blue tang two clowns and some invertebrates.
For coral I have a Xenia, green birdsnest, toxic green plating monticap, GSP, and a green sunset montipora.
For lights I have a radion g6 xr15, and two coralife lights.

water perimeters:
Calcium: 380
Dkh: 11
Phosphate: 0
Nitrates: 10

 

[Uncle99]

Why is it you want to lower from 196?
That number is fine, below is running 200 for years.
It’s not the level as much as it’s the stability of that number.
Example, I run 197-200ppm any any time of day.
The zero phosphate is a bad number….shoot for 0.05-.1ppm.
Also, make sure MG is say 1380-1420ppm before adding/testing ALK or CA.

 

[Acemann]

Thank you, I’ve had 11 dkh for a long time but everyone says it should be around 8.
And I’m not to sure my phosphate is 0 I can’t tell with the api tests so I’m gonna get the Hanna instruments. Thanks for the help!