What should my Alkalinity be at?

[Spork3245]

I've been googling and have found people say anything from as low as 8dKH to as high as 12dKH. What's the correct answer?
I just purchased and ran my first KH test after reading Sk8r's thread and I'm at about 8dKH, is that too low or "just right"? I bought an additive as well to raise it if need be. My calcium is at between 440-450 btw.

[Sk8r]

8.3-9.3. cal 420, mg 1200 will keep you in pretty good shape. Your cal is high but not that high; all pretty good for growing, say, euphyllia corals. Or fish.

[Spork3245]

8.3-9.3. cal 420, mg 1200 will keep you in pretty good shape. Your cal is high but not that high; all pretty good for growing, say, euphyllia corals. Or fish.

Thank you! The test kit I got is an API, it's not too accurate though unfortunately, you need to count the drops until the water color changes.
I'm currently converting my FOWLR tank into a reef, I currently just have two LPS and two Zoas.

[nlgill13]

8 DKh is pretty close...you will also want to check your Magnesium and Calcium levels. Also it may be worth it to get some nicer test kits for the above parameters (you will thank yourself later).

[Spork3245]

8 DKh is pretty close...you will also want to check your Magnesium and Calcium levels. Also it may be worth it to get some nicer test kits for the above parameters (you will thank yourself later).

What do you recommend test kit-wise? I went with the API because it was super cheap lol :p

[snorvich]

8.3-9.3. cal 420, mg 1200 will keep you in pretty good shape. Your cal is high but not that high; all pretty good for growing, say, euphyllia corals. Or fish.

I agree although I try to keep Magnesium closer to Natural Sea Water (NSW) at 1350

[EricBuzz]

I'm a fan of the redsea titration tests. Easy and accurate.

[nlgill13]

If you go with red sea get the pro reef (mag, cal, alk) set, its way better then the ph/alk test kit.

Other good test kits: Salifert, Elos, Hanna Checkers (for alk or phosphates)

[Sk8r]

I use Salifert. Color perception is just too variable.