What the #$%^ is going on every time i do a water change.

[whatcaneyedo]

Newly mixed Instant Ocean typically has an alkalinity of 11 dkh according to this post so that is normal http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1714505 Most brands have higher than natural levels of many elements to help compensate for uptake in our systems.

I've stopped caring when soft corals close up. Any little change can trigger them to shrink down to nothing. As long as they eventually opening again and your SPS have good polyp extension it looks fine to me.

Its funny what different light types will do. Lonnie switched from 400W MH to T5 a few years ago and all of his acropora bleached at first. Once they recovered some looked browner while others looked lighter...

[zum14]

Huh... ok. hahaha. Well thank you. I need to calm down a bit im thinking. sorry. haha. So what about ideal dKh? Is 12 actually ok? New mixed salt comes like that so cant be that bad right? All those mixes sure seem to vary quite a bit.

[whatcaneyedo]

I prefer slightly higher alkalinity around 9 or 10 for two reasons. One is because it helps to keep my pH higher which I have a problem with in the winter because of my calcium reactor. And two, because it provides a bit of a buffer againts having my alkalinity drop too far if something goes wrong. For example: I had my calcium reactor stop working (long story, doesnt matter) and my alkalinity began to drop by about 1 dkh per day. If I didnt keep it slighter higher it would have dropped a lot lower than the 5 dkh that it ended up at before I corrected the problem.

[zum14]

Originally Posted by whatcaneyedo

I prefer slightly higher alkalinity around 9 or 10 for two reasons. One is because it helps to keep my pH higher which I have a problem with in the winter because of my calcium reactor. And two, because it provides a bit of a buffer againts having my alkalinity drop too far if something goes wrong. For example: I had my calcium reactor stop working (long story, doesnt matter) and my alkalinity began to drop by about 1 dkh per day. If I didnt keep it slighter higher it would have dropped a lot lower than the 5 dkh that it ended up at before I corrected the problem.

Ok. Thanks again! man i must be getting annoying by now. haha. Sorry. So last question for tonight promise.haha. So should I not worry about a calcium reactor or kalk doser untill i notice a requirement for it? Or should I be looking now for one for when i want to get a clam in the future.

[fishytime]

whats your mg at?????

[whatcaneyedo]

Unless you see a good deal on something used just wait until you actually need it. This is a good article to read now before you jump the gun and do something that you dont have to.

How to Select a Calcium and Alkalinity Supplementation Scheme
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/feb2003/chem.htm

[zum14]

Originally Posted by fishytime

whats your mg at?????

GAH!! Someone caught me! Its the next test kit on my list to buy, none in town so i have to order.

Originally Posted by whatcaneyedo

Unless you see a good deal on something used just wait until you actually need it. This is a good article to read now before you jump the gun and do something that you dont have to.

How to Select a Calcium and Alkalinity Supplementation Scheme
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/feb2003/chem.htm

Thanks again, I will do some reading tonight.

[Bloodasp]

Your acro still seems like it has pretty good polyp extension, though I think you should watch it as I do think it's stressed. They release their zooxanthallae and look bleached like that, they may or may not regain it provided the source of what's stressing it is removed.

[zum14]

Originally Posted by Bloodasp

Your acro still seems like it has pretty good polyp extension, though I think you should watch it as I do think it's stressed. They release their zooxanthallae and look bleached like that, they may or may not regain it provided the source of what's stressing it is removed.

Thanks ill keep an eye on it. The acro seems to actually slowly getting its color back.

[fishytime]

just guessing.....but I'll bet your mg is low.......its very important to have the big three in balance and near "ideal" levels.....
whats your lighting btw?