freshwater Posted November 3, 2002 Share Posted November 3, 2002 My new tank ( 1 month old ) is getting a total alk value of 8 mg/L. which I think is high? other readings are: PH = 8.1 ammonia=0 nitrite=0 nitrate=0.5 Salinity = 1.024. Calcium = 425-450 Test kit used seachrem Is this alk level is fine, if not how to drop the level. I have read the alk should be 4-6 mg/L. Livestock = fishes, cleaning crew, corals and anemones. Water used Tap water (water softner) + RO water. MIX. Does anemone stings other corals like xenia, brain, moon... Link to comment
Satchmo Posted November 3, 2002 Share Posted November 3, 2002 You're test kit is probably using dKH, not meq/L. I'd try and get it a little higher, like 10 or 11. Link to comment
Physh1 Posted November 3, 2002 Share Posted November 3, 2002 You will see tests on 2 different scales. One is degrees of hardness aka DKH (degrees of karbonate hardness) and the other is meq/l. A suitable DKH for reefs is 9-11 or so... meq/l is around 3.2-3.6 or so... BTW a handy conversion equation is this....meq/l X 2.8 = DKH value;) so for example 3.6 meq/l X 2.8 = 10.08 DKH:) Cameron Link to comment
freshwater Posted November 3, 2002 Author Share Posted November 3, 2002 I have recheck my test kit again (Marine Basic by Seachem) and its meq/L NOT dkh. Each drop is equal to 0.5 meq/L. I used 16 drops to reach yellow color. so either I multiply 16 by 0.5 or divide by 2 to give me 8meq/L. As a matter of fact the kit says use of dkh is confusing so always use meq/L. So I am 100% sure I am getting 8 meq/L not dkh. So what is the verdict know gurus. How to lower the meq/L and what is causing it to go so high? Link to comment
Satchmo Posted November 3, 2002 Share Posted November 3, 2002 That's strange. I've used Seachem myself, and it is indeed measured in meq/L. Do you add any sort of buffer to your water? I don't know what to tell ya. Anyone? Link to comment
Physh1 Posted November 3, 2002 Share Posted November 3, 2002 Did you use tap water or filtered water? Whatever the case test your source for alk and see what it reads. There is no safe way to lower levels execpt to be patient and let the tank absorb/use it. That is a very high level but wouldn't be surprised for Ill. to have hard water. Cameron Link to comment
freshwater Posted November 3, 2002 Author Share Posted November 3, 2002 I start with Tap water which comes thru from water softner. after that i have top off with 6 G of RO so far. I did a test on my tap water and my PH is <7.5 and Alk is = 5 meq/L. Link to comment
Physh1 Posted November 3, 2002 Share Posted November 3, 2002 What are you dosing the tank with as far as calcium and alk? It is also possible to have a deposit of limestone or another alk raising mineral in the tank.... Cameron Link to comment
freshwater Posted November 4, 2002 Author Share Posted November 4, 2002 I am not dosing, just every other day i add few drops of calcium from kent marine in the tank for calcium need for corals and reef. I dont see any limestone deposit in my tanks. I did use fully cured Fuji LR 35lbs. Link to comment
gobies Posted November 7, 2002 Share Posted November 7, 2002 > I dont see any limestone deposit in my tanks. Me neither, but it's there. We've got limestone all over the place around here. Are you getting Chicago water or more local stuff? I just moved, and finally unearthed the B-Ionic... haven't dosed it in 2 weeks! X) But when I added the part 1, I got a snowstorm... Link to comment
freshwater Posted November 7, 2002 Author Share Posted November 7, 2002 Its local water. what u mean by snowstorm, like milky water. Link to comment
Caesar Posted November 7, 2002 Share Posted November 7, 2002 If you dose too much Ca small white flakes will appear in your tank and it really looks like its snowing. Link to comment
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