Alk question

[turner]

I have a nano reef about 1.5 months old now. Water values was stable 2 weeks ago, and CUC was added. There no corals in it yet, a week ago i tested the water values and, my Ca was 480mg/l, and alk 6.8dKh, I made a 15% water change approximately, using blue treasure reef sea salt. Today when I tested my water again, everything was fine as last, except Ca and Alk which is still on 480mg/l and 6,8dKh.

 

As I can understand both a not withing the recommended levels, and so I assume I need to take some action, but how?

[dandelion]

I would first test your freshly mixed saltwater to see if the numbers are off balance right off the bat. If that's the case, you can buy some 2 part supplement and add alk only as you mix the water. I may be wrong, but with calcium at 480 ppm alk should be closer to 9 or 10.

 

I use seachem reef builder to supplement alk. You may want to think about getting a digital scale precise to 0.01g to help you dose. I got one for like$6 on eBay.

[SouthFlorida_Tron]

Well, sounds like 480 / 6.8 is what your salt mixes out to....

 

and with no coral, there is no consumption yet?

[Clown79]

Have you tested the magnesium? Low mag will cause alk/ca balance issues.

Have you tested the magnesium? Low mag will cause alk/ca balance issues.

[turner]

@southflorida_tron

 

Correct, there are no corals yet, I was of the notion that these parameters had to be correct as well first?

 

@clown79

I haven't tested magnesium, I am still quite new to the this world, and was told there was no need for that, but I will buy some testing for it and check.

But as I recall on the back of the bag my salt is in, it says the various levels when mixed, and magnesium should be fine, but I will double check that later today, after work.

[Clown79]

If you are planning corals alk, ca, mag are very important for their health/growth.

 

All 3 work together.

 

Nitrates and phos are important as well.

 

The levels on the package don't always come out to what is advertised.

 

As of yet i have never had the levels advertised by a salt.