Anemone didn't like Reef Builder

EDJFA · 05/17/2012, 04:11 PM

I went to my LFS to have my water double checked and they told me my KH was at 6. Ideally, I guess, it's supposed to be 10-12. I looked back at my previous water checks and it seems there's a pretty big swing in my KH levels. One time it's 11, next time 7, next time back to 12.

This last test shows:
PH 8.3
SG 1.023
Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 20 (did a 5 G water change and my tests today showed back to 0)
Phos 0

Some questions -

What makes the KH drop? Is there a direct correlation between my corraline algae not looking all that great and my drop in KH? My beautiful purple algae is looking rather chalky these days.

As to the GBTA, he fully retracted into his hole when I dosed the Reef Builder. He's starting to come back out now, so I'm guessing he's OK, but was he reacting to my pouring in the dissolved Reef Builder?

seapug · 05/17/2012, 04:24 PM

If you are trying to move your Alk from 6-10 in a single dose, your livestock is not going to be happy. You also might find it easier to maintain stability at normal Calcium and pH levels you keep it closer to the 7-10 range.

bnumair · 05/17/2012, 05:22 PM

alk and cal will drop daily, more alk than cal. a big swing is not advisable. alk should only be increased 1.5dkh per day. a tank with dkh of 7-11 is pretty acceptable range.

Palting · 05/17/2012, 07:25 PM

A few points I want to make here.

1. Read about parameters from a reliable source, because most LFS people don't know what they are talking about, . Here's the first chapter on what I consider to be the bible on reef tank chemistry:
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-05/rhf/index.php

2. The most trustworthy person to do your water test is you. You have invested and will continue to invest money for the tank, your best insurance against livestock losses is trustworthy test results. Invest in a good set of test kits, preferably titration method rather than color chart method, for alk, calcium and magnesium.

3. Make sure you are indeed a trustworthy tester!

. Use quality test kits, and at least for the first few times repeat the test at least 3 times in a row to make sure you are getting consistent results.

HTH, and happy reefing!!

EDJFA · 05/18/2012, 08:53 AM

Test kits - I've got the basic API test kit. I have to go get water from the LFS weekly anyway, so I just take some water to have them double check my tests and to test for the stuff that my test kit won't. KH/Alk being one of those things.

So, it looks like I'm looking at either the Red Sea or Salifert test kits. Suggestions on which is the better route to go?

BigBarnacles · 05/18/2012, 09:11 AM

I like Salifert, just not a few of their tests such as po4. Personally, it's hard for me to distinguish light blue from lighter blue from somewhat darker blue.

Uncle Salty 05 · 05/18/2012, 09:22 AM

IMHO daily kalwasser addition via ATO is the best way to maintain Alk and Calcium levels.
I have gotten to the point were I only check mine approximately every 3 months and there are always spot on.

f3honda4me · 05/18/2012, 07:55 PM

What is your magnesium at? If alk is not ok the next step is to check magnesium. If magnesium is low then dosing alk first won't help.

Palting · 05/18/2012, 08:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EDJFA

Test kits - I've got the basic API test kit. I have to go get water from the LFS weekly anyway, so I just take some water to have them double check my tests and to test for the stuff that my test kit won't. KH/Alk being one of those things.

So, it looks like I'm looking at either the Red Sea or Salifert test kits. Suggestions on which is the better route to go?

Either the RedSea Pro or the Salifert are good. Like Pepsi or Coke, each will have their fanbase

. I am in the Salifert clan.

Tschupe · 05/19/2012, 01:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by f3honda4me

What is your magnesium at? If alk is not ok the next step is to check magnesium. If magnesium is low then dosing alk first won't help.

I agree. If your mag is to low your alk or calc will not rise. You'll want your mag in the mid to high 1300's

05/17/2012, 04:11 PM	#1
EDJFA Registered Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: St. Charles, MO Posts: 1,025	Anemone didn't like Reef Builder I went to my LFS to have my water double checked and they told me my KH was at 6. Ideally, I guess, it's supposed to be 10-12. I looked back at my previous water checks and it seems there's a pretty big swing in my KH levels. One time it's 11, next time 7, next time back to 12. This last test shows: PH 8.3 SG 1.023 Ammonia 0 Nitrite 0 Nitrate 20 (did a 5 G water change and my tests today showed back to 0) Phos 0 Some questions - What makes the KH drop? Is there a direct correlation between my corraline algae not looking all that great and my drop in KH? My beautiful purple algae is looking rather chalky these days. As to the GBTA, he fully retracted into his hole when I dosed the Reef Builder. He's starting to come back out now, so I'm guessing he's OK, but was he reacting to my pouring in the dissolved Reef Builder?

05/17/2012, 04:24 PM	#2
seapug Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: 4980 ft. Posts: 7,954 Blog Entries: 1	If you are trying to move your Alk from 6-10 in a single dose, your livestock is not going to be happy. You also might find it easier to maintain stability at normal Calcium and pH levels you keep it closer to the 7-10 range. __________________ insert clever saying here. Current Tank Info: 200 gallon custom Marineland DD peninsular tank. LPS dominated mixed reef. Previous 90 gallon mixed reef TOTM April 2009.

05/17/2012, 05:22 PM	#3
bnumair Dr. Reef at ur service Join Date: May 2009 Location: Tulsa, Ok, USA Posts: 7,751 Blog Entries: 15	alk and cal will drop daily, more alk than cal. a big swing is not advisable. alk should only be increased 1.5dkh per day. a tank with dkh of 7-11 is pretty acceptable range. __________________ Water Quality: NO3 0,Phos 0,Cal 440,Alk 7.5,Mag 1300 "Reef Fast, You Crash, Reef Slow, You Pass" Mike's Reef 3:16 Current Tank Info: 350g DT,95g sump, 50g Frag tank, 4800gph return 4x Sea swirls. 6x AI Vega Color. 200# Pukani rock, dual recirculating skimmer, Biopellet, GFO Carbon rx's, Cal rx. Closed loop. 1.5hp chiller, genesis renew. Apex & RKE

05/17/2012, 07:25 PM	#4
Palting Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Ohio Posts: 6,912	A few points I want to make here. 1. Read about parameters from a reliable source, because most LFS people don't know what they are talking about, . Here's the first chapter on what I consider to be the bible on reef tank chemistry: http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-05/rhf/index.php 2. The most trustworthy person to do your water test is *you*. You have invested and will continue to invest money for the tank, your best insurance against livestock losses is trustworthy test results. Invest in a good set of test kits, preferably titration method rather than color chart method, for alk, calcium and magnesium. 3. Make sure you are indeed a trustworthy tester! . Use quality test kits, and at least for the first few times repeat the test at least 3 times in a row to make sure you are getting consistent results. HTH, and happy reefing!! __________________ Anything I post is just an opinion. One of many in this hobby. Believe and follow at your own risk of rapid and complete annihilation of all life in your tank :) Current Tank Info: Incept 3/2010, 150 RR, 50g sump, 20g fuge, 150w 15K MH x3, T5 actinics x8, moonlight LED x6, 1400gph return, Koralia 1400 x4, 300 g skimmer, 4 tangs, 2 mandarins, 2 perc, 6 line, 3 cardinals, 2 firefish, SPS, LPS, zoas, palys, shrooms, clam

05/18/2012, 09:11 AM	#6
BigBarnacles Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Aurora, Il. Posts: 748	I like Salifert, just not a few of their tests such as po4. Personally, it's hard for me to distinguish light blue from lighter blue from somewhat darker blue. __________________ “I hate to advocate drugs, alcohol, violence, or insanity to anyone, but they've always worked for me.” ― Hunter S. Thompson Current Tank Info: 75 gallon mixed reef. 8 gallon Nuvo.

05/18/2012, 08:53 AM	#5
EDJFA Registered Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: St. Charles, MO Posts: 1,025	Test kits - I've got the basic API test kit. I have to go get water from the LFS weekly anyway, so I just take some water to have them double check my tests and to test for the stuff that my test kit won't. KH/Alk being one of those things. So, it looks like I'm looking at either the Red Sea or Salifert test kits. Suggestions on which is the better route to go?

05/18/2012, 09:22 AM	#7
Uncle Salty 05 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: South Florida Posts: 3,799	IMHO daily kalwasser addition via ATO is the best way to maintain Alk and Calcium levels. I have gotten to the point were I only check mine approximately every 3 months and there are always spot on. __________________ In all that I endure, of one thing I am sure. Knowledge and reason, change like the season. A jester's promenade. - Kerry Livgren Current Tank Info: 180 gal reef tank with dual attached refugiums 20 long and 10 gallon. Plus 55 gallon True Percula breeding tank.

05/18/2012, 07:55 PM	#8
f3honda4me Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 1,218	What is your magnesium at? If alk is not ok the next step is to check magnesium. If magnesium is low then dosing alk first won't help.