this is the first time after 1year and 8 months I check the alkalinity and phosphate. I have 5 corals and 6 animals. The readings I got today are 4.34 meq/l on the alkalinity and a little less that .25ppm on the phosphate. If I'm correct my Alkalinity is reading high the norm seems to be 2.9Meq/l. Not sure what problems this alkalinity reading can cause to corals or tank in general, appreciate some suggestions on bringing this level down to where it should be.
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water readings
- Thread starter Galvan
- Start date
Your ALK is a bit high but not a problem as long as you can still maintain your Calcium above 400ppm.
If it gets too high it can cause Calcium to precipitate and you won't be able to maintain a very good Calcium level. Your heaters, pumps, and powerheads will start to grow a calcium carbonate crust and that will shorted their lifespan. Precipitation can also lower your Magnesium level over time.
If it get way too high you can have a precipitation event. This is where Calcium carbonate crystals form spontaneously. This can be very serious because PH drops rapidly and the "snow" can cover rocks, sand, etc. and form a crust.
If you back off of what ever alk supplement you're dosing it should drop naturally.
If it gets too high it can cause Calcium to precipitate and you won't be able to maintain a very good Calcium level. Your heaters, pumps, and powerheads will start to grow a calcium carbonate crust and that will shorted their lifespan. Precipitation can also lower your Magnesium level over time.
If it get way too high you can have a precipitation event. This is where Calcium carbonate crystals form spontaneously. This can be very serious because PH drops rapidly and the "snow" can cover rocks, sand, etc. and form a crust.
If you back off of what ever alk supplement you're dosing it should drop naturally.
I can see this crust to be growing on my power heads. I assumed this was a good thing but now I see that it is not. I have been dosing with Kent Liquid calcium. should I dose with the B-ionic supplement? instead of hte Liquid calcium. I do not use the Liquid very much a few cap full every 2-3 weeks. i am doing water changes.
How can I get my alkalinity to drop to about 3.5 meq/l.
These are the readings I got yesterday.
Alkalinity KH 12.2 or 4.34meq/L
phosphate .25ppm
PH 8.0 to 8.1
Calcium 430, this has dropped from 480.
nitrate approx. 30ppm
Ammonia 0
nitrite 0
SG 1.025
One more subject,
I have salt creeping out from my glass tops around the plastic, this happens only on the side where my overflow is not sure why this is happening.
How can I get my alkalinity to drop to about 3.5 meq/l.
These are the readings I got yesterday.
Alkalinity KH 12.2 or 4.34meq/L
phosphate .25ppm
PH 8.0 to 8.1
Calcium 430, this has dropped from 480.
nitrate approx. 30ppm
Ammonia 0
nitrite 0
SG 1.025
One more subject,
I have salt creeping out from my glass tops around the plastic, this happens only on the side where my overflow is not sure why this is happening.
I don't think Liquid Calcium raises Alkalinity, what else are you dosing? The Carbonate has to come from somewhere. Like I said, it's just slightly high, nothing to be concerned with as long as you can still maintain the Calcium level.
It might be worth testing Magnesium once in a while.
The salt creep is probably a result of water droplets splasing in your overflow. Keep it wiped down so it doesn't wick water out of the tank but it's normal.
It might be worth testing Magnesium once in a while.
The salt creep is probably a result of water droplets splasing in your overflow. Keep it wiped down so it doesn't wick water out of the tank but it's normal.
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