kristin
New Member
Hi. I'm a total newby. I have a 180gal FOWLR tank that has been up and running since April.
I recently (one month ago) had my system updated so that it could support corals. I purchased Salifert Ca++ and KH/Alk test kits. Initially, my Ca came back at 370 (low, normal, correct?) and my KH/Alk was really low 5.4/1.94. I was told to supplement weekly with Reef Builder and Reef Advantage Calcium in preparation for getting some corals. I've dosed 3 times with the Calcium, but only once with the Builder (the first week).
Three weeks later, my Ca is still at 360/370, but my KH/Alk is high all of a sudden 15.4/5.49.
I've recently set up an RO/DI unit and started making my own salt water (I was buying it pre-mixed before). I use Instant Ocean. Just for curiousity's sake, I tested the Ca and KH/Alk of the fresh batch I just mixed up. The Ca measured 370, but the KH/Alk was again high 15.4/5.49.
So, is my brand of salt doing this? Is my new high-intensity lighting affecting things? How much of a danger is high KH/Alk (I still don't have any corals yet), and is there anything I can do to lower it? I've read here that water changes are recommended, but what if my replacement water is causing the problem? I have stopped using the Reef Builder, obviously, and assume I should just continue with the calcium, right?
Other tank parameters:
sal=23
temp=78
pH=8.3
NO2=0.025
NO3=25
NH4=0
Thanks for any advice.
I recently (one month ago) had my system updated so that it could support corals. I purchased Salifert Ca++ and KH/Alk test kits. Initially, my Ca came back at 370 (low, normal, correct?) and my KH/Alk was really low 5.4/1.94. I was told to supplement weekly with Reef Builder and Reef Advantage Calcium in preparation for getting some corals. I've dosed 3 times with the Calcium, but only once with the Builder (the first week).
Three weeks later, my Ca is still at 360/370, but my KH/Alk is high all of a sudden 15.4/5.49.
I've recently set up an RO/DI unit and started making my own salt water (I was buying it pre-mixed before). I use Instant Ocean. Just for curiousity's sake, I tested the Ca and KH/Alk of the fresh batch I just mixed up. The Ca measured 370, but the KH/Alk was again high 15.4/5.49.
So, is my brand of salt doing this? Is my new high-intensity lighting affecting things? How much of a danger is high KH/Alk (I still don't have any corals yet), and is there anything I can do to lower it? I've read here that water changes are recommended, but what if my replacement water is causing the problem? I have stopped using the Reef Builder, obviously, and assume I should just continue with the calcium, right?
Other tank parameters:
sal=23
temp=78
pH=8.3
NO2=0.025
NO3=25
NH4=0
Thanks for any advice.
