KH Levels too low-Not Sure Why

[Shirak]

I'm glad you brought up the live sand and rock absorbing phosphates and releasing them because I noticed in some parts on my tank, I'm finding craters in the sand. I think the flow is moving the sand bed. I can't control the circulation pump but I did turn down the hob filter to see if that helps. I wonder if that has something to do with the rising numbers in just a couple days since you're not supposed to move the sand much.

As far as the hanna checkers, here is what I do.

1) Fill cuvetts to 10ml (at line)
2) Get my packets and checkers ready to use and keep separated
3) Turn on the checker and wait for C1.
4) I use an eye cleaning glass cloth to wipe off all finger prints
5) Place the cuvetts in the checkers ( I started placing them in the same direction as they went in after someone suggested I try this), press button until it shows C2
6) Remove cuvetts and open packets to fill them with the correct packages
7) Use my phone for a 2 minute timer (actual countdown function) and shake continuously
8) Clean off finger prints and place in the checkers, holding button until countdown number shows
9) Wait patiently for test results
10) I rinse out 3x and leave rodi water in them now

I don't think there is an issue with sand moving around. Testing procedure sounds good. I guess it's possible to jump from .6ppm to .9ppm in a few days time.

 

[SeaHorseQueen]

I don't think there is an issue with sand moving around. Testing procedure sounds good. I guess it's possible to jump from .6ppm to .9ppm in a few days time.

Do you think chloramines could do this to the coral this fast? If I understood what was said, they don't use a chloramine filter on their systems and the city water does use chloramines. I looked up the city water and it definitely says it. I also tested TDS at 11ppm from the water jugs I had filled as well before mixing with salt.

I'm trying to think outside the box of possibilities.

 

[Shirak]

Do you think chloramines could do this to the coral this fast? If I understood what was said, they don't use a chloramine filter on their systems and the city water does use chloramines. I looked up the city water and it definitely says it. I also tested TDS at 11ppm from the water jugs I had filled as well before mixing with salt.

I'm trying to think outside the box of possibilities.

What water? Chloramines would not be good for your tank but you should be using properly filter RODI for salt mixing and evaporation replacement.

 

[SeaHorseQueen]

What water? Chloramines would not be good for your tank but you should be using properly filter RODI for salt mixing and evaporation replacement.

The water I get at the LFS is RODI water but they said they don’t use a chloramine filter attachment when I asked about it. I’m wondering about the possibility of there being chloramine since that can increase the amount of ammonia which eventually leads to nitrates. Idk about phosphate though. When I hit google, it says chloramines can melt the corals.

 

[Shirak]

I don't know about chloramine but I would think it's not good if present. I would hope they are using some carbon blocks to filter it out. You said this water has a tds of 11ppm? That would be a problem if it is accurate. It should be 0

 

[SeaHorseQueen]

Yes, I

I don't know about chloramine but I would think it's not good if present. I would hope they are using some carbon blocks to filter it out. You said this water has a tds of 11ppm? That would be a problem if it is accurate. It should be 0

Yes, it was poured fresh, non-mixed water from the jug and it read 11. Is there something I can do to get rid of the tds before mixing the salt?

 

[Shirak]

Yes, I

Yes, it was poured fresh, non-mixed water from the jug and it read 11. Is there something I can do to get rid of the tds before mixing the salt?

How much water are we talking? You could get a Zero Water pitcher and filter it through that but by the time you do that you should look into a small RODI system you can hook to your sink and make water yourself.

 

[BryanM]

Yes, I

Yes, it was poured fresh, non-mixed water from the jug and it read 11. Is there something I can do to get rid of the tds before mixing the salt?

11 TDS is absolutely a non-starter. 1-2, some people up to 4..... Thats it. And I would expect rodi water from an LFS to be zero, otherwise its not worth paying for.

 

[SeaHorseQueen]

How much water are we talking? You could get a Zero Water pitcher and filter it through that but by the time you do that you should look into a small RODI system you can hook to your sink and make water yourself.

I have a system but I have to get a chloramine filter first before I can use it.

 

[Shirak]

I have a system but I have to get a chloramine filter first before I can use it.

I think all you need is a good quality carbon block pre filter. That and a chlorine/chloramine test kit from a pool store to monitor the RODI and make sure none is getting through and to know when to change the carbon. Article from @Randy Holmes-Farley on the subject. https://reefkeeping.com/issues/2003-11/rhf/feature/index.htm

Hopefully I got that correct.

 

[SeaHorseQueen]

Is the deep purple apart of the coral or it gone?

 

[BryanM]

Gone :(