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Unread 07/17/2019, 03:37 PM   #1
SW Goober
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Water Perimeters Question

Hey guys just started this tank up 4 days ago. Thought I'd do some test. I know my Dkh is low same with my PH. Should I worry about that until my tank completes it's cycle?

Salinity 1.026

Dkh 6.9

Cal 440

PH 7.8

Ammonia 0.25-0.50

Nitrite and Nitrates 0.00


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Unread 07/17/2019, 07:04 PM   #2
mcgyvr
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SW Goober View Post
Hey guys just started this tank up 4 days ago. Thought I'd do some test. I know my Dkh is low same with my PH. Should I worry about that until my tank completes it's cycle?

Salinity 1.026

Dkh 6.9

Cal 440

PH 7.8

Ammonia 0.25-0.50

Nitrite and Nitrates 0.00
What salt mix are you using?

Don't worry about pH..(throw away your test kit)..
At this time do nothing to correct either..
You may want to switch salt mixes if you want to keep corals to one thats a bit higher in alk if your number is accurate


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Unread 07/17/2019, 08:06 PM   #3
Uncle99
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Yup, cycle always first
As mentioned, chose a salt mix that reflects what you intend to keep, those numbers are fine, but Alk say 8.5-9.5 ish, this level must be stable at all times

Once cycle is complete, a regular water change should restore all ions back to what's required if no or few corals.

As Stoney corals increase, watch for a fall in ALK and CA and learn the amount of both, you need to keep stable. Sometimes this turns into a doser.

Stability is key, in all 8 major parameters, when this occurs and stays for several months, any coral you put in will thrive.

Unstable is slow death for softies, fast for SPS

Good luck have fun!


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Unread 07/18/2019, 06:42 AM   #4
SW Goober
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I am using Instant Ocean Reef Crystals


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Unread 07/18/2019, 07:02 AM   #5
Uncle99
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IO is better for fish only systems,


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Unread 07/18/2019, 07:22 AM   #6
nereefpat
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Reef Crystals should test much higher for alk than 6.9 dKH...

Anyway....agree with not worrying about pH at all, and don't worry about anything other than nitrogen during cycle.


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Current Tank Info: 125 in-wall , 40b sump. 6 bulb T5. ASM G2 skimmer. LPS and leathers
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Unread 07/18/2019, 09:46 AM   #7
mcgyvr
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Quote:
Originally Posted by nereefpat View Post
Reef Crystals should test much higher for alk than 6.9 dKH...
Yep.. So now your test results/methods are in question..
Its unlikely that the alk is that low..

dKH for that should be ~13 in freshly mixed salt at 35ppt salinity (1.026)

Try mixing up a small batch and testing it after thoroughly turning/rolling/mixing the dry salt to ensure its properly/consistently separated,etc...


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Unread 07/18/2019, 06:25 PM   #8
Alex114
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I agree, I make my saltwater with the same reef salts at 1.025 salinity and my alk measures at about 12


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Unread 07/18/2019, 06:47 PM   #9
Uncle99
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Lots of reports of inconsistent results on this product.
Some found remixing the salt before adding RODI helped.


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