Need help with parameters...

[jbrunken]

I'm having some trouble with my water parameters and I'm hoping that some of you can help. In a nutshell, I'm having a very hard time getting my ALK and CALC raised above the very minimum levels. No matter what I do, my dHK stays at about 7.5 and my Cal is right at 400ppm.

Based on what I learned in my previous thread about my coraline turning white, I've started using a 2 part Alk/Calc additive (Kent Tech A/B). However, I no matter how much I add (I never go above the recommended dosage) I never see any rise in Calc or Alk.

Someone mentioned that I might need to add magnesium in order to help buffer the values, and I've tried that (using the recommended maintenance dosages of Kent Tech-M) and if anything it caused my numbers to actually drop a bit. Admittedly, I don't have a Magnesium test kit yet (I need to order one as they are WAY to expensive locally).

My tank isn't exactly filled to the brim with corals, so I'm not sure why I'm having such a hard time getting these values raised. I do have a bunch of chaeto in my refugium (20G is about 1/2 full of it)... Maybe it's using up the Magnesium and Calc?

Anyone have any advice?

Thanks!

-JB

 

[leeweber85]

I used to have the same problem as you. I found out that my Magnesium was only at about 750ppm when it's supposed to be about 1300ppm. After I got a test kit and raised it things have been a lot easier. Now the only problem I have is if my kalkwasser runs out before I catch it. If it does I have to add supplements to get it back up. RedSea now has a test kit for it for $10 but I don't how accurate it is.

 

[einsteins]

Hi

Here is where I learned a great deal....Read the articals in the Calcium and Alkalinity section, Randy explains about every situation you can have and how to fix it...

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=102605

Its good to fix the problem and even better to understand why and how it happened.

Good Luck
ein