Alk./Kh

[njfish77]

My alk is at 2.29/Kh 6.4

Is that normal level or should i raise it?

[ALTI]

alk and kh are the same thing. you are just measuring them with 2 different units of measurement. alk should be raised from 6.4 to somewhere around 9. the low alk can be a sign of high calcium levels. have u tested your calcium?

[njfish77]

Yes my calcium is a little high. Is this bad? If so how do i drop it? So i should bring my Kh to 9 from 6.4?

[jdieck]

Yes, try targeting an Alkalinity between 8 and 10, Calcium will drop by itself but try to keep it around 400 to 450 ppm.

My preferred additive for Alkalinity is good 'ol baking soda and for calcium is Calcium Chloride (Kent's Turbocalcium or Dow's Peladow if you can find it.)

The reef calculator can help you estimate the amounts to add.
http://jdieck1.home.comcast.net/chem_calc3.html

[ALTI]

what r u using to dose calcium? what exactly is your cal level.

[njfish77]

my calc level is around 480-490 and im testing with salifert and im using b-ionic to dose mag, alk, and calc.

Also could low alk have an affect on growth. I have great PE and colors but my corals arent the fastest growers.

[njfish77]

Anyone?

[ALTI]

just dose only the alk part of the b-ionic till the levels balance themselves out. once the alk gets to around 9 the cal will drop closer to the 420 area.

well balanced cal and alk will help the corals grow faster. when cal and alk are out of whack it effects your ph as well. when all three are in balance the corals will be much happier.

[njfish77]

Thanks ALTI. Youve been a great help.

Well i dosed 30ml of alk. b-ionic to my tank today since its said not to add more than that a day. It should bring it up to around 8-9. Hopefully everything will balance out quickly.:)

[ALTI]

no prob. keep us posted on the results.