Kenya Tree Not doing so well/dying

Update:
I just took some tests after doing a massive water change using reef crystals and my tap water.

Salinity: 1.025
Ammonia: 0ppm
Nitrite: 0ppm
Nitrate: 2.5ppm
pH: 7.8
Alkalinity: 14
Calcium: 360ppm

What bothers me is that my alkalinity is so high and my calcium and pH is low. Can anybody else post what their parameters are like using Reef Crystals and RODI water for comparison.

 

Did you purchase a new Alk. test kit? API kits are not the best for accuracy.Try Salifert or even better a Hanna Colorimeter.Take a sample to yourLFS.It is best to double check readings when something does not seem right before doing anything else.Also if you are going to have any chance at keeping levels stable you will need to test Mag..

 

I'm going to save up for the Red Sea all-in-one Cal. Mag. and Alk. test kit. It's $50, which for a part-time working, full-time college student is alot (I know i'm in the wrong hobby for being broke lol). From the video on BulkReefSupply.com they lean toward the Red Sea test kits. Do you have any experience with these or am I better off going with the salifert?

 

Red Sea makes pretty good kits.Saliferts are the best for Alk. but as far as accuracy you cant beat the Hanna Colorimeter.

 

How's your Tree looking?

 

Well I've finally managed to get my nitrates down to 0 (woo!), but the Kenya doesn't seem to be fully opened. When I woke up this morning it was totally closed up, almost into a little ball. Now, this afternoon, it's looking better, but like I said it doesn't look completely happy. Maybe i'm just expecting too much out of it.

Here's a pic:

 

Have you considered using one of these? http://www.marinedepot.com/reverse-osmosis_aquarium_pharmaceuticals-ap.html
RODI water is the best of course but, I used one of these a long time ago when I first started salt water and it is better than nothing and affordable.

If your tree dies, let me know I have lots of it, I will give you more. I have it growing in my sump under a cheap CF bulb, my unchin carries it on his back like a trophy! My pods use it as shade during the day, one I cut up and shape like a bansi tree, it's a weed!

 

Ha, that sounds pretty cool. I wish I could get mine to grow like that

That tap water filter looks really good, but does it only make DI water without the RO part? I'd rather save up for a full RODI unit and put the $50 towards a test kit with mag.