What's wrong with my water parameter?

[lyz77]

What will consititute to KH drop?

My Ca is 450ppm, Mg is 1440ppm and PH is ard 8.07 to 8.24. I need to dose KH buffer every 3-4 days in order to maintain my KH at ard 9-10 dKH.

Pls advise!

[bawater]

Hi Lyz77

Your SPS will consititute to a drop in KH,

For every 1 calcium molecule, 2 molecules of carbonate are used to build calcium carbonate skeletons. So it is only natural dkh will drop faster than calcium.

Coralline algae will also contribute to these needs.

Your parameters are fine - dosing alkalinity buffers twice a week for a tank with sps is quite ok.

In a perfect world or in a tank with just water and no living things:

For calcium at 450ppm the equal parameters for Mg is X3(1350ppm) and 4.5meg/L(12.6dkh). But as every tank's uptake differ according to its inhabitants and corals. you are well within the optimum range.

Calcium- pH 8.0-8.3 / Cal 400ppm-450ppm / kh 3.0-4.5meg/l(8-12dkh)/ mg 1200-1440

You don't mention the use of a calcium reactor but use Hydrocarbonate (as substrate?) usually used as reactor media. Even with calcium reactors you will come across people dosing alkalinity & calcium buffers because it really does depend on individual bioloads and needs.

Natural surface seawater has a reading of around dkh6.72(2.4meg/l), so there's nothing wrong.

[lyz77]

Hi Lyz77

Your SPS will consititute to a drop in KH,

For every 1 calcium molecule, 2 molecules of carbonate are used to build calcium carbonate skeletons. So it is only natural dkh will drop faster than calcium.

Coralline algae will also contribute to these needs.

Your parameters are fine - dosing alkalinity buffers twice a week for a tank with sps is quite ok.

In a perfect world or in a tank with just water and no living things:

For calcium at 450ppm the equal parameters for Mg is X3(1350ppm) and 4.5meg/L(12.6dkh). But as every tank's uptake differ according to its inhabitants and corals. you are well within the optimum range.

Calcium- pH 8.0-8.3 / Cal 400ppm-450ppm / kh 3.0-4.5meg/l(8-12dkh)/ mg 1200-1440

You don't mention the use of a calcium reactor but use Hydrocarbonate (as substrate?) usually used as reactor media. Even with calcium reactors you will come across people dosing alkalinity & calcium buffers because it really does depend on individual bioloads and needs.

Natural surface seawater has a reading of around dkh6.72(2.4meg/l), so there's nothing wrong.

Thks for your valuable info!

[jervismun]

Your tank parameter already very optimum... what r u using to bring up your KH?

[lyz77]

Your tank parameter already very optimum... what r u using to bring up your KH?

Salifert KH buffer!

But soon, I won't need to dose KH manually liao except during routine water change!