What do YOU keep your Alkalinity at?

Canadian · #1 01-06-2008, 01:11 AM

7 dKH measured with an Elos test kit. I'm trying to make sure that my Alk stays below 8 dKH because I dose vodka.

marie · #2 01-06-2008, 01:42 AM

I found my system did best with alk at 9 and calcium around 380 measured with salifert test kits

PoonTang · #3 01-06-2008, 02:11 AM

I guess i'm at the high end of the scale. Cal 440, Alk 11.2. I use a Salifert for Cal and a SeaChem for Mag/Alk

Quote:

Originally Posted by Canadian

7 dKH measured with an Elos test kit. I'm trying to make sure that my Alk stays below 8 dKH because I dose vodka.

Why is it important to keep Alk low when you dose vodka?

Myka · #4 01-06-2008, 02:20 AM

Thanks for the responses everyone!!

I wish they had a monitor like they do for calcium. I guess they have one for freshwater, but for some reason they don't work for saltwater. If there was a monitor I would be better at keeping my Alk where it's supposed to be... LOL.

Canadian · #5 01-06-2008, 02:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PoonTang

Why is it important to keep Alk low when you dose vodka?

When dosing vodka or using any of the probiotic/carbon source systems like Zeo and Fauna Marin alkalinity is apparently supposed to be kept below 8 dKH to avoid "burning" the tips of SPS. I wouldn't say it's kept "low" per se - it's still within typical reef values in the real world: http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-05/rhf/index.php