I've been trying to research Alkalinity and it looks like there are some pretty big differences of opinion.
In mid September, I began using the Red Sea line of products - Reef Foundation, Reef Energy, and Coral Colors. Corals have become much more vibrant except I had a Candy Cane die and a Duncan that is not doing too well. I had added them into the tank about a month after starting the Red Sea products.
Other corals like monti's, hammer, frog spawn, leather, stunner chalice, mushrooms, war coral, and zoa's are doing great.
Since I started using Red Sea, my tank metrics have stabilized with the exception of Alk - started at about 8 and is now down to about 6.
What is considered a good range for Alk in a reef tank? If 6 is too low, how can I raise Alk without causing the other metrics to go out of whack.
Here's the current set-up and metrics:
6
5 gallon DT
10 gallon refugium
Make my own RO/DI water
10% water changes weekly
Lighting (I know not the greatest but it is what it is)
Current Orbit Pro Marine (48")
ATI T5 Blue Plus
ATI T5 Purple Plus
I've been using a doser so additives are dosed daily. Only exception is the Red Sea Magnesium (Foundation C). For that, I am adding on a weekly basis.
Salinity - 1.026
Temp range - 79-82
PH - 8.3
Calcium - 450
Magnesium - 1400
Phosphate, Ammonia, Nitrite - 0
Nitrate - 2
Alkalinity is currently at 6 - Since I switched to Red Sea, I have been testing weekly so here is the downward progression. I had thought maybe the Alk test kit was bad (also Red Sea) so last week, I ordered a new one - also Red Sea.
9
9
9
10
8
8
8
8
7
7
7
8
7
8
6
Any advice?
Could the downward trend have contributed to the Duncan/Candy Cane issues?
Thanks!
In mid September, I began using the Red Sea line of products - Reef Foundation, Reef Energy, and Coral Colors. Corals have become much more vibrant except I had a Candy Cane die and a Duncan that is not doing too well. I had added them into the tank about a month after starting the Red Sea products.
Other corals like monti's, hammer, frog spawn, leather, stunner chalice, mushrooms, war coral, and zoa's are doing great.
Since I started using Red Sea, my tank metrics have stabilized with the exception of Alk - started at about 8 and is now down to about 6.
What is considered a good range for Alk in a reef tank? If 6 is too low, how can I raise Alk without causing the other metrics to go out of whack.
Here's the current set-up and metrics:
6
5 gallon DT
10 gallon refugium
Make my own RO/DI water
10% water changes weekly
Lighting (I know not the greatest but it is what it is)
Current Orbit Pro Marine (48")
ATI T5 Blue Plus
ATI T5 Purple Plus
I've been using a doser so additives are dosed daily. Only exception is the Red Sea Magnesium (Foundation C). For that, I am adding on a weekly basis.
Salinity - 1.026
Temp range - 79-82
PH - 8.3
Calcium - 450
Magnesium - 1400
Phosphate, Ammonia, Nitrite - 0
Nitrate - 2
Alkalinity is currently at 6 - Since I switched to Red Sea, I have been testing weekly so here is the downward progression. I had thought maybe the Alk test kit was bad (also Red Sea) so last week, I ordered a new one - also Red Sea.
9
9
9
10
8
8
8
8
7
7
7
8
7
8
6
Any advice?
Could the downward trend have contributed to the Duncan/Candy Cane issues?
Thanks!