What are your SPS KH levels?

[crichard6069]

Just curious.. what does everyone target for KH levels when keeping SPS? SPS are my ultimate goal and my tank is new - 5 weeks into the cycle, clean up crew arriving today... my KH is @ 9.5 - I haven't been dosing anything yet but I do have the two part calcium mix from two little fishes.

 

[mixed_reefer]

9-10 dkh is what i try to keep, fwiw.

 

[landlord]

Mine hover around 10.5 - 11.5. It's hard to tell with my Salifert kit

 

[sjames]

personally I think it depends on your pH.

If your pH is generally high, then a lower dkh would probably be better, your coral will calcify fine at dkH 8 if your pH is 8.2-3.

If you get into the 10-12 range with higher pH your just creating more maintenance for yourself as your pumps and heaters will need much more frequent cleaning.

if your pH is low, 7.8-8.1 then having a higher alk would be more advantageous.

 

[stevedola]

alk is 9.4 dkH currently. I try to keep it between 8.6-9.6

 

[PSam]

I aim for 7, but usually hover ~6.8

 

[downhillbiker]

mine wont come down. i have it around 13-14. is this something i need to worry about?

 

[Joachim.B]

For low nutrient systems like ZEO or prodibio then it should be 6.5-8.0, but if you don want to use these products, then it can be a little higher

 

[JB NY]

been using 8 dKH for years.

 

[Dejavu]

I like to keep mind between 8-9 dKh. It is currently at 9.

 

[downhillbiker]

i dont believe i have a low nutrient system. i do regular water changes and dose with kalk night. So am i good with 13-14 dKH or if not how do i lower.

 

[downhillbiker]

Oh and my PH is like 8.4, so its not like my PH is really low and my dKH is really high.

 

[spreston]

Depends on the which test kit you believe, Salifert 9.9, Elos 8.

 

[Peter Eichler]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12455987#post12455987 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by downhillbiker
i dont believe i have a low nutrient system. i do regular water changes and dose with kalk night. So am i good with 13-14 dKH or if not how do i lower.

Nothing to worry about really. Are you adding a 2 part supplement or any other buffer? What are your calcium levels?

 

[downhillbiker]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12457253#post12457253 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Peter Eichler
Nothing to worry about really. Are you adding a 2 part supplement or any other buffer? What are your calcium levels?

calcium is 500ppm. i am just using kalk right now. i dont use any other supplements, just water changes. i may just let the tank go without kalk for a while until dkh lowers a little. i will just add calcium buffer if needed, but it shouldnt need it.

 

[idareefer]

10-11 dkh

 

[Peter Eichler]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12457765#post12457765 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by downhillbiker
calcium is 500ppm. i am just using kalk right now. i dont use any other supplements, just water changes. i may just let the tank go without kalk for a while until dkh lowers a little. i will just add calcium buffer if needed, but it shouldnt need it.

Your calcium is higher than it needs to be as well, just let them drop naturally and test again in a couple days. Pay close attention to how much your KH and calcium drop over the course of a 48 hour period. Keep in mind that a gallon of saturated kalkwasser will raise calcium about 8ppm calcium and 1.15 dH in 100 gallons of water volume. You should be able to do calculations from there to figure out about how much kalkwasser you need to use every night. Then add that amount every night for a week or so and see if your levels are remaining stable, rising, or falling and adjust accordingly.

Once things drop a little you can do some adjusting to your KH or calcium to try and balance them out. If you settle on 11 dkh balanced calcium is 439ppm calcium and if you try to maintain your KH at 10 balanced calcium is 432ppm. These don't have to be precise be being in the general vicinity of blanced isn't a bad idea.

 

[glxtrix]

8-10 here. Usually it sits around 9 tho.

 

[Kep]

I've ran at dkH of ~6 for long periods with good growth. I'm in the process of moving higher (at 7.5 now) to see if I can see any noticeable differences in growth. pH is 7.9 in the morning to 8.2 evening.

 

[downhillbiker]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12457925#post12457925 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Peter Eichler
Your calcium is higher than it needs to be as well, just let them drop naturally and test again in a couple days. Pay close attention to how much your KH and calcium drop over the course of a 48 hour period. Keep in mind that a gallon of saturated kalkwasser will raise calcium about 8ppm calcium and 1.15 dH in 100 gallons of water volume. You should be able to do calculations from there to figure out about how much kalkwasser you need to use every night. Then add that amount every night for a week or so and see if your levels are remaining stable, rising, or falling and adjust accordingly.

Once things drop a little you can do some adjusting to your KH or calcium to try and balance them out. If you settle on 11 dkh balanced calcium is 439ppm calcium and if you try to maintain your KH at 10 balanced calcium is 432ppm. These don't have to be precise be being in the general vicinity of blanced isn't a bad idea.

can you tell me more about kalk. or link me to a good article that explains how much to add. i have been using 1 tsp per half gallon(only dosing 1 half gallon) every day. obviously this is too much. can i use a less saturated mix, maybe 1/2 tsp per half gallon...?