low dKH

[texag04]

Early this week I noticed my dKH to be very low 6-7 and have been supplementing reef builder to bring it back up. Now it is still fairly low at 8.5. Can a low dKH be the reason why some of my corals havent opened such as my zoos or brain (all the others seem fine and are opened)? What would be a decent level to maintain in a reef, around 10?

 

[texag04]

BUMP^:notsure:

 

[krowleey]

10 is good, have u tried kents buffer to raise it slightly?

 

[texag04]

no, right now I'm using Seachem's reef builder

 

[broomer5]

TexAg04
Have you checked your calcium and pH lately too ?
Knowing all three - alkalinity, calcium and pH range ( high/low ) may help determine if your tankwater chemistry is balanced or imbalanced.
If imbalanced - then yes I would say this could affect your corals.

 

[nm reef]

I'd also be curious about your PH and calcium levels...all three need to be balanced and problems with one can affect the others. Also...how are you adding the Reef Builder and in what amounts?
Fluctuating levels and sudden changes can adversely affect corals so it may be causing problems for yours...but hopefully it can be straightened out realitively quick with no long term effects.

 

[texag04]

I checked my calcium earlier this week at a high 540 ppm. Today my pH is at 8.4. Im adding the reef builder by diluting it in a cup of water then adding it to the tank. I add about a 1/2 tsp a day which is supposed to raise it by .5 meq/L. The label says never to exceed 1.0 meq/L increases a day.

 

[bobbravo2]

dKH Ca
19.60 500
18.20 490
16.80 480
15.40 470
14.00 460
12.60 450 <<- My average (w ca reactor + kalkwasser)
11.20 440
9.80 430
8.40 420
7.00 410 <<- Sea Water
5.60 400
4.20 390
2.40 380
1.40 370
0.00 360
This is a balancing table of Ca, and dKH. You need to watch both of them, otherwise high Ca will cause alkalinity to precipitate out of solution. Also, if you're having trouble maintaining Ca, check Magnesium.
HTH
Bob
PS - Thanks kip

 

[rsd]

I switched to using a 2 part liquid calcium supplement called Cal Max. Have been loving it ever since....and so have my corals.
Do a search for ph or calcium in this board. there are some really good talks.