[dori9941]

for the last week my alk has droped to less then 1.6
i use Kent super buffer DKH . I have added it 3 times and the ph is good but the alk. is close too nothing. I've done 10% wc daily and followed all instructions from the red sea lab kit. I'm worried, very, very worried ! Please tell me you guys can help. I know there is prob a thread on this but I don't want too cause a spike in the ph.
I used more invert food, but that would effect ammonia and not ph, right.
PH- 8.2
ammonia 0
nitrite 0
nitrate 0
They tanks great and so are the fish but I can't stabilize it
nothing has been new or added????????????
SG- 1.024

[ksreefbuilder]

Have you checked your calcium levels? If they get out of whack they can counter act each other.

[dori9941]

sg 1.0234 . I use this-
BlueLine Salinity/Saltwater Refractometer w/ATC - eBay (item 300244525798 end time Jul-30-08 14:06:06 PDT)
I use red sea marine lab

[dori9941]

If the Cal. too high will enough wc balance it balance back out? I feel I'm not giving the buffer time to do it's job.
I've used invert food, it has ca. but I haven't added any supplements right now.

i have ordered the test refill but foster and smith are taking there time. I can't get another in town. I just put in for supplies on the 21st and the tracking says the 26th.
I'm starting to worry, never had this prob.

I can't think of another reason
If it's too high will enough wc balance it back out?

[unclejed]

You have not stated your Calc. level. Unless you know that you don't want to keep adding things.

[ksreefbuilder]

Leon said it. You need to know what all your parameters are including calcium before adding anything to try and fix your problem.

[dori9941]

Good news after today's change the alk balanced out. I always treat tanks with pwc if poss. there has to be a big problem before i get chems. and I always come here first. After I ran out of lab tests I stopped useing iodine and, well that's all i add other then stress zyme I'm out of everything. I thought ok I'll save so much.. Lets order it for the 1st time. shipping doesn't like me

[demonsquirt]

Alk and PH are connected. If one is off the other is off. Plus these readings will change from a night reading to a morning reading due to normal tank activity. Things like tanks age and water flow can effect these readings. If the tank is less then 8 months i wouldnt use any additive.

[demonsquirt]

This would mean you have trouble else were. You should be able to run a nice tank with just the basics for atleast one yr or more if done right.
My 75 is over 2 yrs with no additives with coral and fish.

[unclejed]

Originally Posted by demonsquirt

This would mean you have trouble else were. You should be able to run a nice tank with just the basics for atleast one yr or more if done right.
My 75 is over 2 yrs with no additives with coral and fish.

All depends on what type of Coral and invertibrates you have or plants that consume Calc.

[dori9941]

stress zyme is biological bacteria. that's one thing I do add in the 1st yr. i think it depends on what's in the tank, I have a c chip starfish by its self in a 12g. I use target method to feed him and all is fine in there. i feed him shrimp pellets too.
i know alk is what buffers the water to hold and prevent drops in ph. it can drop if too much Carbon dioxide is there it will cause alk to mess up too. I understand that your ph can be perfect but if the akl is low it will not hold. all is fine for right now, thank for you're help.
How long does doctor foster and smith take. for the love of all.
At least my rock is coming again, please be safe and have hidden seastars, please an crab or at least some feather dusters. lol. something. oh well I'll know in 2 days.

[dori9941]

how much is a standard 75g? My starfish is rather small I know I'll have to move him. ne gets the 20g in feb. and I'll go from there dep. on how fast they grow

[dori9941]

Originally Posted by demonsquirt

Alk and PH are connected. If one is off the other is off. Plus these readings will change from a night reading to a morning reading due to normal tank activity. Things like tanks age and water flow can effect these readings. If the tank is less then 8 months i wouldnt use any additive.

is a buffer an additive?

[unclejed]

Hi Amanda, yes a buffer would be considered an additive. I just went into your gallery and noticed plants in a tank. Is this the tank that had low Alk? Shaving brush may use some Calc. as well as other plants like Halimeda.
So the water change may have boosted the Calc. which in turn helped the Alk. to come up. Are you testing?

[dori9941]

all plants are gone.
i can't get manage to my old pics off and put the new ones up.
those pics. are over 5 months old ,at least.
yes, tests are fine.
everything is back to normal. i'm wondering the chance of messing up 4 tests in a row, but the other tanks where perfect. what ever happened seem to be fixed. I'll test daily just to make sure. I need my order to get here

[demonsquirt]

In a new system readings like Alk and PH will take time to level out. As long as its in the safe range i wouldnt worry about it. Or it could be your water source or salt brand or water change amount and scedule.

[dori9941]

the alk was almost clear. light yellow, that's why i freaked out.
I 'm going to find out about the water here. this is the start of our second year hear and I never used buffer before coming here.
I have started to get foam like bubbles(clear little ones) now at the surface. I have enough flow idk
i'm glad to see my tank back to normal.
thanks for all the help all

[demonsquirt]

Something like a HOB media filter will help clean the surface and tank clear. Plus the addition of breaking the water tension at the surface.

Your additives depend on your coral stock and water readings between water changes.