Cali Kid Corals

Low Alk, High Ca?

SoulFish

SoulFish

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I seem to always be on the low side of Alk lately. I'm not sure why?

Ph 8.3
Ca 600
Mg 1400
Kh 5.4?!?
S 1.026

I'm using H20 Ocean Pro+ salt and mixing with tap water. I use a refractometer to get the salt level right. So why do I have low Alk tonight? I tested b/c I noticed some softies starting to pull in. My LPS and SPS looked fine, but I knew something was up. What could cause low Alk if my calcium is high?
 
Consequence of that brand of salt maybe?

Or did you notice this in the tank? There are a few creatures IIRC that don't use both calcium and alkalinity in equal amounts.
 
Mixing with tap water may be your culprit. Where do you live? Have you tested the TDS of your tap water?
 
You need to get a TDS meter. Say your tap water is high in calcium. That would definitely cause what you are seeing. To be safe you should only use RO/DI water especially if you don't know the TDS of your water.
 
I think you guys may be right. I've noticed that our water can stain our counter tops with a whitish ring, prolly is high in Calcium. What is a decent R/O unit and where can I find a good price for one? I've never used one before and don't know much about them.
 
Is it more cost effective to get a R/O unit and buy salt, rather than just getting a storage container and having a 200 gallon ocean water tank onsite?
 
the local ocean water is no good for reefs from what I have heard.
Spectra Pure ( our sponsor) has an r/o unit.
http://www.spectrapure.com/
There is a certain amount of waste water with an R/O system.
Some folks us it for garden water.
 
I prefer the RO with salt mix method. I feel I have a little more control this way with what I put in my tank. You can get an RO unit for fairly cheep. I recomend getting one that has a high out put to low waste water ratio. Mine is 100gpd and has a 4:1 waste water to RO water ratio. I am looking at getting a new one that is 150gpd and 3:1 ratio.
 
Also check in the sponsor forum for air water ice. There is a discount coupon there for 10 percent off your order.
 
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