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- 2 Oct 2013
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At the risk of sounding like a dummy I really need some guidance in regard to Alk and pH. I really did do a lot of homework on this but I think I am still not quite grasping it. I was under the belief that Alk is a measurement of adequate bicarbonates in my system. (What my corals will use as building materials) I use a reef log program and mine has been consistently hovering at a Dkh of 10. I also believed that pH is a measurement of the soluble calcium levels in the system. My tank hovers here at 8.2.
So here is the question. If my alkalinity is stable and indicative of calcium carbonate, and my pH is stable indicating adequate "buffers". Why is it necessary to measure the Calcium and magnesium separately? If I was lacking in either of these, would it not cause a flux in the Alk and pH as an indicator?
My tank is currently a 55 gallon system. (recently transferred from an older 29 gallon). I have three fish. Yellowtail Damsel, clarkii, and firesfish. One large anemone, and a few small coral frags. (Hammer, leather, galaxea, and zoas) I have a deep sand bed with 4" of new sand I seeded with 4 cups of sand from the established system. I run a wet/dry canister with a protein skimmer. Aside from the pH and Alk, other test results are NH4-0, NO2-0, NO3-0. I log tests twice a week and water change 10% once a month. My display is planted with some caulerpa and 5 mangroves.
I know to most of you this is a really silly question but Id rather sound silly and understand than take the chance of denying my livestock. I know there is a big difference between thriving and surviving.
Thanks for your help guys and gals!
So here is the question. If my alkalinity is stable and indicative of calcium carbonate, and my pH is stable indicating adequate "buffers". Why is it necessary to measure the Calcium and magnesium separately? If I was lacking in either of these, would it not cause a flux in the Alk and pH as an indicator?
My tank is currently a 55 gallon system. (recently transferred from an older 29 gallon). I have three fish. Yellowtail Damsel, clarkii, and firesfish. One large anemone, and a few small coral frags. (Hammer, leather, galaxea, and zoas) I have a deep sand bed with 4" of new sand I seeded with 4 cups of sand from the established system. I run a wet/dry canister with a protein skimmer. Aside from the pH and Alk, other test results are NH4-0, NO2-0, NO3-0. I log tests twice a week and water change 10% once a month. My display is planted with some caulerpa and 5 mangroves.
I know to most of you this is a really silly question but Id rather sound silly and understand than take the chance of denying my livestock. I know there is a big difference between thriving and surviving.
Thanks for your help guys and gals!