Alk problem, need advise

[Vice333]

So I have been low on the Alk side, just above 7 dkh. I tested my nsw, (coral pro salt) that is supposed to be around 12dkh. It was 7.3. I tested my top off water and was surprised to see it was 0.9 dkh. I tested all other tank params, and it went like this

PH - 8.2
Nitrates - 0
Phos - 0
Salinity 1.026
Temp 78
Mag - 1360
Cal - 480

The water vol for the system is around 320 gallons. I bought a bottle of Aquavitro 8.4, used the recommended dose, and the entire bottle only brought it up about 1 dkh. How can I raises my Alk? And can I do something about the Alk of 0.9 coming out of my RODI?

 

[DeepSeaBeauti]

So I have been low on the Alk side, just above 7 dkh. I tested my nsw, (coral pro salt) that is supposed to be around 12dkh. It was 7.3. I tested my top off water and was surprised to see it was 0.9 dkh. I tested all other tank params, and it went like this

PH - 8.2
Nitrates - 0
Phos - 0
Salinity 1.026
Temp 78
Mag - 1360
Cal - 480

The water vol for the system is around 320 gallons. I bought a bottle of Aquavitro 8.4, used the recommended dose, and the entire bottle only brought it up about 1 dkh. How can I raises my Alk? And can I do something about the Alk of 0.9 coming out of my RODI?

If your salt mix is made correctly and is to be 12dkh and your only measuring 7, I would suspect a bad test kit. What test kits are you using for measuring your alk levels? Your other levels are high so I don't see an issue with it precipitating out.

 

[Vice333]

I have a salifert test kit. I thought it could have been the kit too, but I tested the "check solution" that it comes with and that was dead on at 6.7.

 

[DeepSeaBeauti]

I have a salifert test kit. I thought it could have been the kit too, but I tested the "check solution" that it comes with and that was dead on at 6.7.

Have you changed the DI resin in your RODi in a while? That should give you Zero TDS. Im kinda at a loss of why your measuring a low ALk with a salt mix that should be that high.

Why are you trying to get your Alk above 7 dkh anyway? Are you keeping SPS? NSW is only about 7dkh anyway.

Do you dose and 2 part? Or Kalkwasser?

 

[Vice333]

I hooked up a TDS meter yesterday. I'm reading 143 on the in, and 001 on the out. I have LPS now, but am going to start mixing in some sps. Also I don't dose anything to the tank.

 

[fishchef]

I like to see my reef no lower than 9 dKH. The salt mix I use has been setting it at 10. We use Seachem Reef Builder to slowly raise alk if necessray.

 

[bertoni]

143 ppm on the tap water, or the input to the DI? I think the DI media needs to be replaced.