Raising Kh.

[PirateLove]

Will raising Alkalinity drop my Calcium level?

I just did a water change with reef crystals. Now my magnesium is at 1400 calcium is 400 and alkalinity is 7. Even though I only have 3 frags of corals it looks like I am going to have to dose alkalinity and calcium?

 

[disc1]

Will raising Alkalinity drop my Calcium level?

Only if you raise the alkalinity above the saturation point and start precipitating calcium carbonate. You're pretty far away from that point as it is. As long as you stay below the saturation limit the two have no effect on one another.

 

[PirateLove]

Ok great. I have read the sticky up top. Is there a recommended limit on raising kh every 24 hours?

 

[disc1]

Try not to raise it by more than 1dKH per day. I try to keep it to 0.5 if I can.

 

[thegrun]

The general rule is to raise the alkalinity no more than 1.3 dKh per day, and the 1.3 should not be done all at once or you will see a large pH swing.

 

[CStrickland]

It might not be an ongoing thing. I've had it happen where I added a few frags and my alk bottomed out. Idk, maybe something about them getting hungry on the way to my house. It may turn out that once they settle in you don't have to do much.

Reef crystals ought to be able to keep up with a few frags. Make sure you shake up the bag before you scoop out the salt so the elements are mixed in well.

I don't worry unless my alk gets below 7 and my Ca below 380. I use this chart (attached)
From this article http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-05/rhf/