Ca at 455, Alkalinity at 138, PH at 8.36 Is this normal

[miktrav]

Ca at ~450, Alkalinity at 138, PH at 8.36 Is this normal? PH has been flactuating between 8.27 and 8.36 over the course of a day. Do I need to try to increase my alkalinity or is that value to be expected? I read that normal alkalinity for a reef was 142.

Thanks,

Michael

 

[miktrav]

Alkalinity is in PPM since that is what my Hanna checker reads.

 

[bhodges82]

138 ppm is 7.7 dkh.

Those numbers look good, how old/new is the reef?

 

[miktrav]

only about 3 months but the first month and a half was run with 1 fish I held over from the original setup. The measurements were taken using a salifert kit for Calcium, a Hanna Checker for Alkalinity, and my Apex for PH.

 

[miktrav]

only about 3 months but the first month and a half was run with 1 fish I held over from the original setup. The measurements were taken using a salifert kit for Calcium, a Hanna Checker for Alkalinity, and my Apex for PH.

138 ppm is 7.7 dkh.

Those numbers look good, how old/new is the reef?

I had the prior iteration of this tank set up somewhere between 7 and 8 years but had to take it down during remodeling.

 

[bhodges82]

Alk at 7.7 is completely acceptable, especially if there is no coral. You could adjust it, but there is no real need to do so.

 

[miktrav]

There are corals in the tank. Mostly small to medium frags of LPS and zoos. I will refrain from trying to adjust unless things change drastically, especially since I am due for a water change next weekend. I am on a 2 week schedule for water changes.

Alk at 7.7 is completely acceptable, especially if there is no coral. You could adjust it, but there is no real need to do so.