Alkalinity levels

[Dorkel Marine 1]

Hello everyone. I was curious too know what are the average alk levels you guys keep on your tanks. I know they vary. I've got two 30 gal tanks with nothing but softies. The jar of buffer recommends between 10-14dkh. My first measurement with salifert gave me 9.6dkh. Any advice appreciated.

George

[fastfish]

9.6dkh is fine. I keep mine around 11dkh

[sumpfinfishe]

Hey George :biggrin:
How r the frags doing???
9.6 sounds pretty good, natural sea water sits at around 8dkh.
If you want to help aid in algae removal you could bump it up even more, I wouldn't go higher than around 14 tho!

good to hear you went with the Salifert kit :mrgreen:

[Beverly]

Alk levels on their own do not fully explain the chemistry in your tank. Ca and Mg levels are also important. Salifert has kits for these. Links for your perusal:

Aquarium System Volume Calculator:

http://home.comcast.net/~jdieck1/volcalc.html

The Reef Chemistry Calculator:

http://home.comcast.net/~jdieck1/chem_calc3.html

Reef Aquarium Water Parameters:

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-05/rhf/index.htm

Magnesium in Reef Aquaria:

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/oct2003/chem.htm

Solving Calcium and Alkalinity Problems:

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/nov2002/chem.htm

[AJ_77]

Hi George,

I'd be pretty happy with a consistent 9.6.

[Dorkel Marine 1]

Thanks for the info guys. I'll read those articles Bev. Thanks. Rich the frags are doing good. The gorgorian is a little paler than the one in your tank. The birdsnest is still got the white tips. I've got to glue it down though. My blennie doesn't seem to like it and keeps on knocking it down.

Again thanks. I measured my alk again tonite and it was 6.24 dkh. I just also added a chemi-pure unit. would that explain it. This is after I added a buffer. Seems odd. :confused:

George