Alkalinity

[Goldenoldie]

How do I safely raise alkalinity? I’m currently dosing with Seachem Reef Builder as per instructions, but cannot seem to get dKH above 2.9.

 

[TaahirS]

Either your test kit is off. Or your calcium and magnesium are also way off.

 

[Goldenoldie]

Calcium currently at 415ppm, Magnesium 1500ppm

 

[Dexter]

Sorry im batteling to understand. Is your alk at 2.9dKH?

 

[TaahirS]

Not maybe 2.9meq/l?

 

[Goldenoldie]

Sorry, I’m probably confusing you, according to my Red Sea test kit, the reading is dkH 8 (or 2.9 Meq/L). I would like to raise it to between 9-10.

 

[viper357]

I would like to raise it to between 9-10.

Is there any particular reason why you want to raise it? 8 is a perfectly acceptable number. Have a read of this thread, it's old but some very valid comments and experience http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1297225

 

[butcherman]

I'd also stick to 8. But if you're adventurous raise in no more that 0.5 dkh per day....

Sent from my D5803 using Tapatalk

 

[Goldenoldie]

Thanks Viper, have read it with interest. Sounds like these guys all have SPS, I don’t. I have mainly LPS and some softies. All thriving, except for a piece of open brain which seems to be fading away. I thought maybe the dKH was too low at 8.

 

[viper357]

All thriving, except for a piece of open brain which seems to be fading away.

Do you feed it? Whereabouts is it in your tank? They prefer to be on the substrate, occasional target feeding may help if it seems to be struggling a bit. If you have a lot of lps, check that none are too close to it as they may be extending sweeper tentacles at night and stinging it.

 

[viper357]

If you do want to raise alkalinity and are struggling with Reef Builder then perhaps try the diy method and use baking soda? It's a lot cheaper too.

 

[Goldenoldie]

Thanks. Re the open brain, hve tried all your suggestions, to no avail.

 

[3dd]

What made you decide that it's the alk causing the issue, especially if all the other corals are thriving?

 

[NO3]

once the skin on a brain has torn through or been damaged its is very difficult to get them to come back. it will die... it will slowly just recede until its gone.

 

[Goldenoldie]

Since the pH, Mg, Ca, NO3 and PO4 are all within the acceptable parameters, that’s all I could think of. I even dipped it!

 

[3dd]

Remeber that Alk, Cal and mag are related, so changing one will affect the rest. What did you dip it in?

 

[butcherman]

All thriving, except for a piece of open brain which seems to be fading away. I thought maybe the dKH was too low at 8.

how about a picture of the brain?

 

[Goldenoldie]

Seachem Reef dip, as per instructions