Need help to correct my tank's parameters

[JeffL]

Hi seniors, I just did a test on my tank's water.

Ca - 530

KH - 5.6 Dkh

Mg - So high until my chart cannot measure

Salinity - 1.025

Temp - 26

Nitrate - 0.5

Ammonia - 0

Nitrite - 0

It seems my KH is too low and Ca is too high. I have not started dosing anything ever since my tank started and I change water every week with DD salt. I switch from red sea to DD salt about 3 weeks ago.

Should I buffer my KH up slowly with my Brightwell reef code B?

If my tank is gonna be 'eating' up KH so drastically, I am thinking of getting dosing pump to ease my job.

Tank is mostly LPS and softies with only 3 frags of sps. Corals in tank are all opening up ok with no issue for now.

Oh yes, I feed quite a lot recently trying to fend off ich for my fishes. I read that excess food could lower KH.

thanks in advance.

[diki88]

hi bro,

this could be an easy read for you to correct your tank parameters.

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2002/11/chemistry

cheers.

[RockyBoy]

Check pH as well before dosing the carbonate to see which carbonate to use.

[JeffL]

Check pH as well before dosing the carbonate to see which carbonate to use.

ah ok, I missed out on PH. Just dosed brightwell reef code B.

Are there many types of carbonate?

[sunny03]

i would buff up the KH slowly... like rocky said check PH as it goes along and leaves the rest alone .. or change some water daily (not too much) and buff up KH slowly

[JeffL]

i would buff up the KH slowly... like rocky said check PH as it goes along and leaves the rest alone .. or change some water daily (not too much) and buff up KH slowly

Thanks bro. Ok I tested my PH and it's 8.3. It's the correct range right?

Just dosed reef code again. Tested my water before that was still at 5.6dkh no change. Why is my KH depleted so fast?

[Guest]

Just buff up your KH more and when you KH rise, your ca will drop. The mg will drop over time or you could do a major water change to rectify it.

[sunny03]

Do water change to reduce mg and ca and Increase your kh dosing then normal . Once mg is stable kh and CA are easier to balance .. Remember to check Ph as time go by ... Most important do it slow ..

[JeffL]

thanks to all for the advices given. I will buffer KH slowly for now and update again.

I cannot decide if I need to invest for a dosing pump?

[tqut]

Did you recently add a lot of new GFO (PO4x4)?

My para is quite stable at around

Ca - 470

Mg - 1400

KH - 7.7

I don't test for PH. But I do add Kalk in my top-up water.

When I changed GFO last week, my para dropped to

Ca - 420

Mg - 1280

KH - 5.6

I had to do big water changes to rectify this. So be careful whne changing GFO.

[JeffL]

Did you recently add a lot of new GFO (PO4x4)?

My para is quite stable at around

Ca - 470

Mg - 1400

KH - 7.7

I don't test for PH. But I do add Kalk in my top-up water.

When I changed GFO last week, my para dropped to

Ca - 420

Mg - 1280

KH - 5.6

I had to do big water changes to rectify this. So be careful whne changing GFO.

Yes bro! I changed my PO4x4 about 3 weeks ago.

I just did a search online and someone else experienced the same thing. Oh no PO4x4 is the culprit??

[CFOh]

Did you recently add a lot of new GFO (PO4x4)?

My para is quite stable at around

Ca - 470

Mg - 1400

KH - 7.7

I don't test for PH. But I do add Kalk in my top-up water.

When I changed GFO last week, my para dropped to

Ca - 420

Mg - 1280

KH - 5.6

I had to do big water changes to rectify this. So be careful whne changing GFO.

po4 4x is a not 100% iron base GFO, it consist bind with encapsulated in polymer Cheers..

[tqut]

Yes bro! I changed my PO4x4 about 3 weeks ago.

I just did a search online and someone else experienced the same thing. Oh no PO4x4 is the culprit??

No not specifically PO4x4 but any GFO will lower your KH if you add too much at one go.

I'm using Rowaphos...