alkalinity help

[wmboots]

been having a real problem with low alk and have been dosing for over a week now and still level is around 3meg. I mixed up a 5 gallon jug of bulk reef supply alk about a year ago by accident, is there a possiblity this mixture has deteriated over time? I have been pour 1 or 2 cup fulls of the cups BRS sends with their mixes.
All my sps and lps are doing fine but have 2 really nice sized colonies of zoa's that are just melting away and one colony was the sized of a large grapefruit.
I guess the word disgusted would be accurate
Also is anyone else having issues with having to mega dose after using salinity salt. Have used 1 bucket and I can't say I am impressed and have another bucket I haven't broke the seal on and not sure I will

 

[hnguyen]

What test are you using? Have you tried to test the new saltwater that you mix up? Have you tried to cross reference your test results with another test kit?

 

[basscyn]

Unless I am way off base here 3meg (8.4 dkh) is not bad. It may be on the lower side of "ideal"...but I wouldnt think it would cause any problems.

As far as Salinity goes, opinions seem to vary here on ARC. IMO this is some very high quality salt. Again, I can imagine this is a source of trouble either.

 

[snowmansnow]

8.4 is just fine IMO.. as long as it is stable.

B

 

[wmboots]

using 2 test kits seachem and salifert both give same readings, as for 3meg or 8.4kh I just acheived that today but I consider 8.4 very low I have been running 4-5meg or 11-14kh. As for salinity I was led to believe from everything I read and was told by various LFS that it would save on the amount of dosing. After each water change I am dosing calcium, alk and mag the next day. I will say my sps and lps have grown tremendously but I also added another set of t5 12k lamps so it could be a combo of the two

 

[ralph atl]

I like my Alk about 9.......