View Full Version : Low alk
Cheapster
04/08/2014, 02:47 PM
I recently started a 0.5 gallon reef. It was going rather well, so I bought a yellow star coral frag. Then, I had problems. My salinity is at 1.022, and I've been slowly raising it. My temp stays at a stable 78. I'm using a 50/50 10 watt 10000k and actinic blue bulb. Yesterday my alk was at 250 ppm, today it's at 80 ppm. Help?
SaltWater226
04/08/2014, 02:51 PM
I suspect user error
Cheapster
04/08/2014, 03:08 PM
I thought that too. I ran 3 tests, all came back at 80. My coral also closed up
wrott
04/08/2014, 04:01 PM
Increase it to ~150ppm w/ baking soda. It won't take much, like 100mg.
Cheapster
04/08/2014, 04:12 PM
Ok, and I have another question. Do you think that light is enough for hardy corals?
nlgill13
04/08/2014, 05:43 PM
how old is your tank?
Randy Holmes-Farley
04/08/2014, 05:46 PM
There is no chance the alkalinity dropped 170 ppm CaCO3 equivalents in a single day in a tank like that, so confirm the reading with a different kit some other way before boosting it. The 80 ppm is very unlikely. If you boost you'll likely get too high since alk is probably about where your salt mix would put it. :)
Cheapster
04/08/2014, 07:44 PM
Ok guys I found the problem. I was using my freshwater kit. Oops. And my tank is 8 weeks. I used my salt kit, and it read 180, so on the low side
Randy Holmes-Farley
04/09/2014, 04:01 AM
:thumbsup:
Happy Reefing. :)
Cheapster
04/09/2014, 03:03 PM
You too.
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