Help! alk stays low

Discussion in 'Water Chemistry' started by nicodim55, Jan 10, 2011.

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  1. nicodim55

    nicodim55 Coral Banded Shrimp

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    Hey guys I need your help in solving my issue. My alk has been at 6 for a month until I did a 40gal change in my 150 and now its at 7. Lost a lot of sps, don't know if the low alk had anything to do with it. How can keep my alk between 8-12? Mostly lost colonies but the frags and montis are thriving and growing:confused:
     
    nicodim55, Jan 10, 2011
    nicodim55, Jan 10, 2011
    #1

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  2. M-Ocean Man

    M-Ocean Man Flame Angel

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    what are you mag/calcium levels?

    w/o proper mag/calcium levels you will never be able to raise and sustain your alk.
     
    M-Ocean Man, Jan 10, 2011
    M-Ocean Man, Jan 10, 2011
    #2
  3. nicodim55

    nicodim55 Coral Banded Shrimp

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    my mag is at 1350 and cal at 620. it was at 720 before the water change'
     
    nicodim55, Jan 10, 2011
    nicodim55, Jan 10, 2011
    #3
  4. M-Ocean Man

    M-Ocean Man Flame Angel

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    could the super-high calcium levels be throwing the ALK off?

    I'll defer to chemistry experts . . .
     
    M-Ocean Man, Jan 10, 2011
    M-Ocean Man, Jan 10, 2011
    #4
  5. inwall75

    inwall75 Giant Squid

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    If your Calcium was at 720, that's why you can't keep your alk up. Seawater can only hold so many ions and your alk just precipitated out. You want Calcium to be around 450.


    Read Corrections for Zone 4 http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/nov2002/chem.htm
     
    inwall75, Jan 10, 2011
    inwall75, Jan 10, 2011
    #5