New Tank - Alk Levels

Marmot74 · #1 10-10-2010, 05:11 PM

Hey Guys,

I am just setting up a 180G Reef Tank.

Currently I have only the Special Grade Sand and Salt Water in the tank.

I am using Seachem Reef Salt.

PH: 8.0
Calcium: 420
Magnesium: 1000
Alk: 6? This one bothers me. I did 3 tests all the same. (API)

Is this normal? I used RO/DI water.

Mike

Marmot74 · #2 10-11-2010, 07:38 AM

No idea anyone? No problem bringing it up but isn't it strange to be that low on a new tank?

Bloodasp · #3 10-11-2010, 08:19 AM

just looked at the website of seachem, found something on their support that seems to be similar to your issue.
http://www.seachem.com/support/forum...ead.php?p=5586

MitchM · #4 10-11-2010, 07:14 PM

Thanksgiving dinner...

I wouldn't worry too much about the alk level right now. 1st thing get your magnesium level up to around 1300 ppm. Go through a couple of water changes and check your levels again.

Any idea why your mag would be low?

Mitch

Marmot74 · #5 10-11-2010, 07:16 PM

What would you recommend to bring the MG up with?

I am using the Seachem Reef Salt.

Mike

MitchM · #6 10-11-2010, 07:19 PM

...caught me mid edit...

Are you dosing anything, using a calcium reactor?

Do you have a long term plan for managing supplements?

Mitch

Marmot74 · #7 10-11-2010, 07:21 PM

It's a new tank and the PLAN is to do 2 part dosing. The tank is currently just cycling.

MitchM · #8 10-11-2010, 07:31 PM

Then I wouldn't do anything other than water changes right now.
That salt should have mg levels of around 1450 out of the bucket. I'm not sure why it's so low now. Check your next batch of salt water when you mix it up.
I'm not a fan of short term fixes.

Mitch

globaldesigns · #9 10-11-2010, 07:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marmot74

Hey Guys,

I am just setting up a 180G Reef Tank.

Currently I have only the Special Grade Sand and Salt Water in the tank.

I am using Seachem Reef Salt.

PH: 8.0
Calcium: 420
Magnesium: 1000
Alk: 6? This one bothers me. I did 3 tests all the same. (API)

Is this normal? I used RO/DI water.

Mike

I agree with the others, you need to get the Mg to 1300-1350, calcium is a tad high, but no biggie there, it should be 400, so 420 is nothing to worry about. Also PH, should be 8.3

I would suggest like the others to get your Mg, to the proper range, and stable then work on the ALK, once you can get your ALK to your desired leve (7-12) this varies with many. I keep mine at 7 because I use the Zeo method, but many have theirs higher. But once you can stabalize things, I think your PH will be fine also @ 8.3

I can't say much about Seachem salt, as I never used it. But I never had issues with IO Reef Crystals or with Reefers Best (which I use now)

chris88 · #10 10-11-2010, 07:33 PM

6DKH wont harm anything but i would bring it up to 7.5 with some baking soda. Just use a reef chemistry calculator.

I use kent's mag / epson salt / and a bulk mag with a mix of mag cholide and mag sulfate.