Coralline Growth (or absense of)

Nice DT!

 

pH: 8.2
Alk: 6 meq/L
Nitrate: <0.1-0.2 ppm
Nitrite: 0 ppm
Calcium: 420
Salinity: 1.028/37 ppt (need to add a gallon of water or two)
Temp: 75-80
Ammonia: <.02

 

So I think my problem is Alkaline. Water changes to get it down?

 

Took another measurement today and got 7 meq/l.

 

Alkalinity solution is something you can buy to raise your number.

 

I don't want to raise it. Its about twice as high as it needs to be.

 

A 5 gallon water change and a 3 gallon top off got it down to 4.5. Another water change should get it into the ideal 2.5-4 range.

 

I still haven't been able to get any growth and the little bit in the tank (from frags) is bleaching.

Temperature: 76-80 degrees

Salinity: 35-36 ppt

Nitrates: Undetectable

Nitrites: Undetectable

Ammonia: Undetectable

Phosphates: unknown- Have been running chemipure elite for a week

KH: 3.5 meq/L

pH: 8.0-8.2

Calcium: 480 ppm

Magnesium: 900 ppm (last I tested) but slowly added 15 ml of magnesium, which the bottle said each ml will raise magnesium by 26 ppm. It should be near 1300, but I'll have it tested this week.

I still have 2x 10,000 K and 2x acticic bulbs simply because I am upgrading to a 55 gallon soon. I will buy 6 ATI bulbs for the 6x bulb system I am buying for it. That has to be the issue, no?

 

Pleased to report my first growth. It's to the left of the finger smear mark. Also, the coralline that came on my frags have a white rim to them now, which probably means it's advancing it's growth, right?

 

Yes it is. Coralline needs the big 3 to in the right zones to grow well. Watch your CA and don't let it get any higher if you can. Raising Mg seems to bring CA up with it. Watch your salinity also bring your Mg up that far.