Low alkalinity issues

[peaches7412]

For a while now, my alkalinity levels have been rather low, at 6 dkh. It makes no sense because my magnesium levels are 1400, and my calcium levels are at 400. I have been adding kent marine alkalinity, but nothing seems to bring the alkalinity levels up. I am afraid to add to much, because I have heard of "snowstorms" happening when the calcium precipitates. I am using the red sea pro test kit if that matters, maybe it isn't reading the changes?

 

[realfish]

peaches7412;765765 wrote: For a while now, my alkalinity levels have been rather low, at 6 dkh. It makes no sense because my magnesium levels are 1400, and my calcium levels are at 400. I have been adding kent marine alkalinity, but nothing seems to bring the alkalinity levels up. I am afraid to add to much, because I have heard of "snowstorms" happening when the calcium precipitates. I am using the red sea pro test kit if that matters, maybe it isn't reading the changes?

My guess is one of your test kits are off and 6 I would say is just slightly low.

 

[racinrevo0818]

How much are you dosing? How many gallons? What kind of tank lps, sps? What's your current ph? Brand of test kit?

 

[peaches7412]

RacinRevo0818;765782 wrote: How much are you dosing? How many gallons? What kind of tank lps, sps? What's your current ph? Brand of test kit?

It is a biocube 29g, and I am dosing just a tiny bit more than what is recommended. It is a mixed reef, and my pH stays at 8.2. I also don't think that my test kit is too old considering I just bought it a month ago, and I have gotten my water tested at some lfs that show the same thing.

 

[racinrevo0818]

I would guess the amount you are dosing is less then your tank is consuming never letting you get the increase you need. Using the reef calculator and using your tank size say actual water volume of 22g you would need to add 32 ml of kent product to increase your alk to 9 and calcium should balance out at 425. But don't add it all at once. I think 1 dkh is the most you want to go a day. So say 11 ml a day plus what you have been adding daily since we know your tank is using that much. Check daily and your alk should rise just like you want. Here's the link to calculator and a screen shot http://reef.diesyst.com/chemcalc/chemcalc.html">http://reef.diesyst.com/chemcalc/chemcalc.html</a>
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[cbj25]

What kind of alk test are you using?

 

[silver surfer]

Stop with a and keep dosing b until levels get right

 

[racinrevo0818]

Are you sure he should should stop with the A as he isn't balanced out with either. For alk of 9 he needs his cal to be 430 ish which it is only at 400. Use the calculator for both and dose the recommended of both to get the levels you want. Test test and test again and don't make large adjustment all at once.

 

[silver surfer]

I would for only a week or so. Like to see kh at 8 and ca at 400 then bring them both to 9 and 420 to 430.