Very low alk high cal

I use a pH probe. You calibrate it with a known buffer either a 10 pH or a 4 pH and then a 7 pH. It is pretty accurate. Display reads to hundreths, and accuracy is +/- .05. kinda like this one.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=58191&item=3875460731&rd=1&ssPageName=WD1V

 

Jay,

I don't think that lighting is going to effect the Alk to a great extent unless you have a lot of algae in the tank.

I would however suggest that you stop doing excessive water changes I really can't see how you can measure and then adjust the water if you are going to change it so much and so often

It is certainly better to try to adjust the Alk in smaller steps than all at once. As mentioned previously you may get a Calcium snow storm..

John

 

Yep JohnO. I will stop the water changes and get back on my schedual of 20 gallons every 3 weeks. I was grasping at straws desparatly trying to save a sick coral. I have done the Iodine dips and everything. Cant say as it has helped much. I can deffinatly say that my nitrates are 0 and there is no phospates. I have dossed the buffer yesterday and today and will check them tonight. I am going on a trip on Tuseday and will be gone till monday and want everything hunky dory for the tank sitter. John0 you mentioned Algea....I can happily say that there is only a few tufts left on the reef for my Blenny. Am I wrong or does my blenny ignore certain types of algae? He seems to prefer the stuff growing in the return chute of my aqua C Remora...he even leaves the tank sometimes to swim upstream in the chute to graze the good slimey dark green stuff that grows there. I always know when he attempts this when I hear him boogie up there , slosh slosh splash I think is the sound he makes. Anyone else see this?

Jay

 

Jay,

Just keep dosing the buffer in small amounts, you will eventually see changes in the Alk levels, your PH will also automatically adjust to a good number once the buffer takes effect.

The Blennys that I have owned did similar things to what you describe They seem to like scraping the slime type algaes with their lower jaw rather than eating the other types of algae. Wonderful animals just watch your fingers, mine used to bite.

John

 

I have been trying to solve my cal prob for a little over a month now. I have been able to finally understand the graf after reading it about a dozen times. (adhd) cal chloride sounds like what i need. My dkh is 11 my cal is 360. Have been using that kent a&b for about two weeks just like lfs told me to do. Even asked him about a cal sup only and he keeps telling me just keep adding 2 part sup. It casued my dkh to rise much faster then cal. But one thing on what birdlady said, I tested my make up water for cal and it still tests at 360 using two differnt cal tests kits, whats up with that?. I will keep reading and I think I found my prob thanks to your posts.