Alk issue

[Proteus]

Alk is dropping fairly quick but cal and mg. are stable. Alk dropped for 9 to 6 in 3 days. While ca is 490 and mg is 1530. Ph 8.2. Temp. 78

I have great growth on sps and great color. But why is alk dropping so fast while ca is not

[04V10]

I had the same issue before I started dosing. The other Params were stable, but alk was dropping hard. However, I didn't have very good growth at all on my sps. Now that's i dose and it's stable I have great growth, but my system still draws hard on alk.

[subman]

Did you just switch test kits?

[xenon]

If you are not dosing, this is completely normal.

2part solutions have different concentrations of each so its not like we are adding the same amount of alk and cal when dosing equal parts.

Never let your alk get bellow 6.5dkh. The base of your SPS will STN at lower levels.

I try and keep my alk @ 7.5-8.0dkh to prevent tip burn in my ULNS.

[Proteus]

Originally Posted by subman

Did you just switch test kits?

Yeah. Using Elos. The kits is good as I test a hour after dosing.

Originally Posted by xenon

If you are not dosing, this is completely normal.

2part solutions have different concentrations of each so its not like we are adding the same amount of alk and cal when dosing equal parts.

Never let your alk get bellow 6.5dkh. The base of your SPS will STN at lower levels.

I try and keep my alk @ 7.5-8.0dkh to prevent tip burn in my ULNS.

I use fluval 3ion for ca/mg/str. And reef builder for alk. No STN. Growth is good. Just not sure why alk drops So fast. Ill check again today since its wc day

[Proteus]

Just checked kh. It's at 7. I bumped it up to 9 on wensday night so 2 points in two days.

[xenon]

Originally Posted by Titus99

Just checked kh. It's at 7. I bumped it up to 9 on wensday night so 2 points in two days.

That's pretty safe.

You never want to increase alk more than 1.4dkh per 24hrs.

FYI: Magnesium is what keeps the relationship of alk/cal in balance. I see that your mag is way too high. I would stop dosing mag until you are in the 1350 range.

[Proteus]

Yes I am in process of leveling off mg. I am was using 3ion which is mg ca and strong all in one. I think it's best if I use seperate additives for each one

[PoonTang]

I would suggest also that your cal is a bit on the hi side relative to your alk levels. Let it come down a bit and you will find it easyer to maintain the alk level. At 490 cal your Dkh when balanced to NSW ratios would be 18DKH!! also remember the cal to alk ratio is about 20:1 so a 1 meq alk change will only shop up as a 20ppm cal change.

[Proteus]

I did my usual 10g water change yesterday. Today ill test and see what levels are. I'm using the fluval salt which I quite like. The high cal and mg are my fault from a accidental double dose