Quote:
Originally Posted by
Flower http:///forum/thread/386402/copperband-butterfly#post_3394019
Well...I just got rid of my API test kits, they said my nitrates were off the roof high. Alk should be 4 to 6 ...KH which is API test should be 7 to 12 I'm not familiar with the number you have for alk.
What time of the day do you test your PH?
At any rate you can get the butterfly fish.
I was thinking the same thing when I saw that reading for Alk. KH, which is what API tests for doesn't read like that at all Tailgate, are you sure you're reading it properly?
So wait, you stated earlier that your pH was 8.0, now you're saying it's 7.8. What times of day are you testing? Test three times throughout the day if you can (might have to wait til the weekend) and see what your readings are over a few days morning, noon and night (before lights come on, once they've been on for about half their cycle, and once right after they go out).
Personally, I think the Brightwell's line is TERRIBLE, and I actually threw out a whole bunch of their stuff. I found their buffer to do NOTHING, even when I tried just buffering RODI to see what it would do. Their salt mixes are inconsistent from batch to batch and many people who have tried it are 1) not happy with it and 2) complained of low numbers, and one of the most common numbers to be low was alkalinity. I really, really, really recommend switching your salts. I know that you're using it because your LFS is using it, but they're using it because it's cheap for them, TRUST ME. I have an LFS that uses it because to buy in bulk is cheap, the owner flat out admitted to me that if he leaves his SPS in his tanks for too long while using this salt, they whither away. Personally, I saw better results with Instant Ocean and some SeaChem buffer or Bionic buffer than I did with Brightwell's salt.