Alkalinity swing range

[Cliff Puckstable]

I have been testing my parameters on a semi-regular basis. I have noticed that my alk swings a little from week to week. I know alk swings are not so good for sps, and was wondering what is considered a significant enough swing to be causing a potential problem.

 

1/16

Ca-440

dkH-8.2

Mg-1400

 

1/22

Ca-450

dkH-10.4

Mg-1200

 

2/1

Ca-440

dkH-10.4

Mg-1400

 

2/8

Ca-420

dkH-9.8

Mg-1280

 

2/22

Ca-470

dkH-10.9

Mg-1100

 

I am using the Red Sea test kit, and dose kalk in my ATO. I add two tablespoons per 5 gallon batch of RODI. Coral growth is, meh. It's 90% sps and I know they grow slow, but dang. Whatcha guys think? Am I okay?

[surf&turf]

As long as you don't get it to high, 12-15 dkh range, and you don't raise or lower to suddenly, you should be ok with were you are at.

 

You might want to look at dosing 2 part instead of Kalk. When you dose kalk you raise your cal and alk. If your system isn't using both equally then you run into problems.

 

I use Oceanic salt and it is very high in cal. A fresh mix after 24 hours measures 500, and 14 dkh. I only have to dose Alk to keep everything steady.

[Cliff Puckstable]

Cool, thanks for the info. I will monitor more frequently. I didn't want to start dosing two part. I want to keep things simple. I'm also very poor right now. I'm contemplating on taking everything down.