Alk levels and time

[Canadian Man]

Originally Posted by whaase

Oh yea, when you add the BS, would the alk readings go up right away? Or will it take a bit to change?

Walter

Basically you could take the reading after your tank water and sump water have exchanged. So let's say wait 30 min.

[whaase]

Originally Posted by StirCrazy

Also don't forget your Ca should be ballanced to your salinity. a salinity of 1.027 should have a Ca level of about 415ppm, and a salinity lower should have a lower Ca level. for whats its worht I am starting to believe that most of us are trying to run our Ca at levels higher than we should be.

Steve

That's interesting, but, my level was 460ppm right from the start. I didn't add anything other than salt. Should a person then lower the Ca?

Walter

[Canadian Man]

Usually when you raise just your alk your calcium level will drop.

[StirCrazy]

Originally Posted by whaase

That's interesting, but, my level was 460ppm right from the start. I didn't add anything other than salt. Should a person then lower the Ca?

Walter

well there is two theories on this right now and I haven't decided which one I believe yet

the first saying that the max rate is achieved at 360ppm so anything higher is a waist, but not a problem so run it where ever you are comfortable.

the other theory is that to high of a concentration actually causes the coral to expend so much energy expelling Ca from its tissue that its growth rate is hindered.

so if you are running high Ca and getting lousy growth maybe try dropping it to 400 and seeing what happens.

Steve