alk issues

[Grant W]

Hey all , Can somebody explain the relationship between alk, ca and mag. My levels have been stable but recently as I have been adding tech m to increase my mag levels I have noticed my alk going down . I like my alk to stay around 8 and it is currently at about 7.7 or so and this is the first time I have seen much of a shift in a long time .All testing done with salifert kits. Thanks

 

[northbay-reefer]

7.7 is fine, your alk is being used up by the corals more when your alk/mag and cal are in balance. The thing to watch when you add mag is salinity make sure it is not raised. Don't raise mag too much because that will also causes burned tips. This link show you the ghraph of the sweet spot and the relationship of the three elements

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

 

[Grant W]

Thanks Tom good article and I knew 7.7 wasn't bad ,but I wasn't sure if the introduction of continued doses of tech m could have caused the small drop in alk. I have been adding tech m for about 2 weeks now approx 30 ml per day raising my mag from about 1200 to about 1450 which is about what I was aiming for. other parameters are fine ph 7.9-8.2 and ca at 475. Also my salinity is at 1.025. I have never had a strong grasp of the relationship between the three especially in the last few years as the mag have come more into the equasion than before. I think the salt companies have cut back on the mag in their mixes as I have never had to add mag before.

 

[gdm42001]

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Don't know how I managed to get it in there twice, and don't know how to clean it up...
Anyway, good video
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[winereef]

I struggled to keep alk up for quite some time.
I now use 2 things to raise KH (carbonate hardness):

1)Add fresh air supply to the Skimmer. thats because CO2 in the home will make ph and alk drop.
2)add a bit of Baking soda (NOT scented kind!I use the Armstrong brand)

water change also should help reset your chemical values to normal range.

I'm no expert but that's what seems to work 4 me :thumbsup:

 

[shaneh]

I've still been trying to figure out cal and alk for the past year and i think i am starting to get it.
I've been thinking of it like this:

CAl- is like the building block of coral
Alk- is like the glue

-if you have alot of one you don't have much of the other. = bad
-don't raise one too quick because the other will drop. = bad
-make slow adjustment = good.
-slow and steady wins the race. = good
- Everyone will tell you the "best range" but really it is different for each tank depends on need. I'm thinking mine is 430 cal 9 alk and 1350 mag. Bit low right now and the building block are slow. this is the hard part to figure out...best way is to not add anything for a few months and see how the tank acts. good luck!


maybe this will make it easier for someone else too. Sometimes this stuff can give me a headache but the tank looks so good when it is clean and growing......even if it is slow.

Only thing I can't figure out is I am still not getting full poly extension on some of the
SPS. Some are really good, others are partial, and some I hardly see the tentacles. any ideas on this one?

 

[northbay-reefer]

SPS. Some are really good, others are partial, and some I hardly see the tentacles. any ideas on this one?

Clean up your phosphate and nitrate and you will see more pollyps extension.

 

[Grant W]

Shane what are your phos and nitrate readings and how is your flow?

 

[shaneh]

the flow is a large wave box, (2) mp40's on pulse setting. So i think the flow is good...
I don't have phos test, i need to get one.

my nitrates were like 1 or maybe 2.5. slightly pink test on API.
it must be pho but i have been running GFO for the last week.

tested again last night for:
CAl-410-420
Alk 8-9 it is hard to tell on the API test color, or i am going blind....haha
Mag, 1300-1325

I've cut back on feeding a bit, Ken was telling me i am raising some fat fish so i need to wip them into shape and cut the feeding in half.

I'll do a watch change again this weekend and get a pho test kit any recomendations?

 

[northbay-reefer]

Shane you parameter/flow are looking real good right now, if you can keep that constant then you will see a big improvement. Make sure to check your salinity once in a while too, people forget to do this sometime.

I don't usualy test for phosphate, I just watch my glass but I do have a phosphate test kit. The only thing I'll say is don't buy Salifert, I have several of them going bad on me already.

 

[shaneh]

Thanks Tom I check the salinity every time I do a water change it was 1.025-1.026 hard to tell in the prism. I'm ready for this tank to take off like a rocket! With the rain i have to stay inside more and keep a close eye on it. I think i need to add another rock structure tot he tank to add some more hiding spots for the fish. We made them last winter at your house. I might even post some pictures.....haha no promises.