Mixed Reef - Do Not Understand What I'm doing Wrong

[jacobupnext]

Hello,
I have a Redsea 250 and I cannot maintain the recommended levels of ALK/CA. Before I was using Seachem Part A/B and it didn't really do anything to help raise levels, I ended up losing three coral. I went to my LFS and picked up Redsea Part A/B they said this will do a lot better because its way more concentrated. Yesterday I dosed 50ml of each spread out throughout the day at separate times. This morning I tested and got these parameters:
ALK: 2.3dKH (Previously 2.3dKH)
CA: 320PPM (Previously 320PPM)
KH: 10.022
PH: 7.4PH (Previously 8.2)
Phosphate: .25 (Previously .50)
Nitrate: 5PPM
Nitrite: 0PPM
Ammonia: 0PPM
Approx tank volume is 60 gallons.
So I'm not understanding what I'm doing wrong as far as dosing, I only have GSP frag/Duncan frag/BTA so consumption shouldn't be that high right?
Really what I'm asking what is a good game plan for dosing per day to get my levels back up without negatively affecting my PH.
And for context, I just added a refugium in my sump with Chaeto last night. I ran it opposite of my lighting schedule to control Phosphates as still dealing with excessive nutrients.

Any help is greatly appreciated, I am still learning.

 

[mdb_talon]

It is reading in dKH. I just tested again twice and now reading 1.6-1.1dKH.

I agree probably reagent. Could also be an issue with test process or with the checker itself(that probably unlikely)

 

[jacobupnext]

Mag holds cal and alk from fluctuating to much. You need that in the 1350 range.

I am not understanding this alk reading at all.
Can you go thru your steps of testing?

I follow the steps exactly. I fill both test tubes with tank water up to the white line. Place one tube in the Hanna checker I press C.1 - Wait for the checker to say "C.2" then I take the first tube out and put 1mL of the reagent in the test tube then turn it upside down 4 or 5 times to mix it. Then place it back in the checker and press and I get my results.

I repeat again with the second tube.

 

[Dburr1014]

I follow the steps exactly. I fill both test tubes with tank water up to the white line. Place one tube in the Hanna checker I press C.1 - Wait for the checker to say "C.2" then I take the first tube out and put 1mL of the reagent in the test tube then turn it upside down 4 or 5 times to mix it. Then place it back in the checker and press and I get my results.

I repeat again with the second tube.

Okay.

Are you wiping off the glass cuvet?
Are you placing it back in exactly the same rotation everytime?

Edit: you are using both tubes? Why?

 

[jacobupnext]

Okay.

Are you wiping off the glass cuvet?
Are you placing it back in exactly the same rotation everytime?

Yes I wipe it everytime, I make sure there is no smudges or anything like that.

 

[Dburr1014]

Yes I wipe it everytime, I make sure there is no smudges or anything like that.

You should be using one tube.

 

[ISpeakForTheSeas]

Okay. The number you are listing as Alk came from what? Carbonate hardness and alkalinity refer to the same parameter. 10.022 sounds about right. 2.3 is way out of spec.

Just commenting to second this - Carbonate Hardness (dKH) is (for Aquarium purposes) the same parameter as Alkalinity. Do you mean to say that your measurement of 10.022 is your water's General Hardness (dGH)? - because I see your Hanna Checker (dKH) is reading much lower than that.

 

[Dburr1014]

You should be using one tube.

Please repeat the test.
Use one tube. Fill, wipe, put in with the 10ml facing you, check.
Add regent, invert, wipe, recheck with the 10ml facing you again.

 

[jacobupnext]

Please repeat the test.
Use one tube. Fill, wipe, put in with the 10ml facing you, check.
Add regent, invert, wipe, recheck with the 10ml facing you again.

Yes I use one tube per test. I was meaning I use both tubes as in two separate tests.
I just tested again my first test was 2.4dKH - Second test was 2.2dKH. Consistent with what I tested this morning.

 

[stevolough]

Hello,
I have a Redsea 250 and I cannot maintain the recommended levels of ALK/CA. Before I was using Seachem Part A/B and it didn't really do anything to help raise levels, I ended up losing three coral. I went to my LFS and picked up Redsea Part A/B they said this will do a lot better because its way more concentrated. Yesterday I dosed 50ml of each spread out throughout the day at separate times. This morning I tested and got these parameters:
ALK: 2.3dKH (Previously 2.3dKH)
CA: 320PPM (Previously 320PPM)
KH: 10.022
PH: 7.4PH (Previously 8.2)
Phosphate: .25 (Previously .50)
Nitrate: 5PPM
Nitrite: 0PPM
Ammonia: 0PPM
Approx tank volume is 60 gallons.
So I'm not understanding what I'm doing wrong as far as dosing, I only have GSP frag/Duncan frag/BTA so consumption shouldn't be that high right?
Really what I'm asking what is a good game plan for dosing per day to get my levels back up without negatively affecting my PH.
And for context, I just added a refugium in my sump with Chaeto last night. I ran it opposite of my lighting schedule to control Phosphates as still dealing with excessive nutrients.

Any help is greatly appreciated, I am still learning.

Mix a fresh batch of salt water per instructions on bag then test it. See how your results compare to the package. Dosing that much is probably causing precipitation. I have a 100 gallon system with over a dozen corals and I use 1/3 of what your putting in.

 

[jacobupnext]

Just commenting to second this - Carbonate Hardness (dKH) is (for Aquarium purposes) the same parameter as Alkalinity. Do you mean to say that your measurement of 10.022 is your water's General Hardness (dGH)? - because I see your Hanna Checker (dKH) is reading much lower than that.

Yes the API master reef trst kit dKH measurement carbonate hardness is measuring 10.022 while the Hanna Alk checker is reading significantly lower.

 

[jacobupnext]

Mix a fresh batch of salt water per instructions on bag then test it. See how your results compare to the package. Dosing that much is probably causing precipitation. I have a 100 gallon system with over a dozen corals and I use 1/3 of what your putting in.

I'm using Instant Ocean salt from Petco which doesn't have additives like CA/ALK. The only reason I dosed so much yesterday was because of how low my levels were testing at. Just wanting to get them to the recommended range (450 CA/9 ALK)

I tried adverting precipitation by dosing right in my powerheads.

 

[Bfragale]

+1- I think something is up with your testing. Instant ocean usually mixes to 10dkh. Bad reagent most likely

Alkalinity and magnesium work together. Testing and maintain magnesium can help keep alk stable. 1350 ppm recommended

do you see white crusty stuff on your pumps or any other signs of precipitation?

API test kits are no good except ammonia, but no need to test ammonia once tank is cycled.

I would first get your salinity to 1.025-1.026
Then check and dose needed magnesium.

bring calcium up to 420, get a new reagent for the Hanna and test alk. And test alk. I agree that your should take a sample to your lfs and ask them to test as well as a second check against your tests.

Good luck my friend and happy reefing!

 

[stevolough]

I'm using Instant Ocean salt from Petco which doesn't have additives like CA/ALK. The only reason I dosed so much yesterday was because of how low my levels were testing at. Just wanting to get them to the recommended range (450 CA/9 ALK)

I tried adverting precipitation by dosing right in my powerheads.

Yes it does

 

[Dburr1014]

I'm using Instant Ocean salt from Petco which doesn't have additives like CA/ALK.

Where in the world did you get this information from? 100% false.

 

[tharbin]

Yes the API master reef trst kit dKH measurement carbonate hardness is measuring 10.022 while the Hanna Alk checker is reading significantly lower.

To me, everything is pointing to bad reagent for the Hanna; except this. The API Reef Master Carbonate Hardness (Alkalinity) test is a titrator test and even at double dosing it can only resolve to x.5 resolution. Your 10.022 confuses me as that implies a digital readout rather than a titrator. As near as I can figure you would need to be titrating about 5 liters of display water to get the resolution you are quoting. Are you sure you are using the API Reef Master test and that you are getting 10.022?

 

[jacobupnext]

To me, everything is pointing to bad reagent for the Hanna; except this. The API Reef Master Carbonate Hardness (Alkalinity) test is a titrator test and even at double dosing it can only resolve to x.5 resolution. Your 10.022 confuses me as that implies a digital readout rather than a titrator. As near as I can figure you would need to be titrating about 5 liters of display water to get the resolution you are quoting. Are you sure you are using the API Reef Master test and that you are getting 10.022?

I did the conversion from 179PPM.

 

[vetteguy53081]

False readings are a likelihood as is concern of low PH.
By chance are you using test strips?
Running mixed reefs over 20 years, there is a challenge of toxins as Both LPS and SPS release low level toxins and add leathers to the equation which release terpenes, you have a little chemical war in the system. I run Chemipure Blue for this very reason as well as Phos control.
Lab grade carbon will also address toxin issue.

 

[vetteguy53081]

To me, everything is pointing to bad reagent for the Hanna; except this. The API Reef Master Carbonate Hardness (Alkalinity) test is a titrator test and even at double dosing it can only resolve to x.5 resolution. Your 10.022 confuses me as that implies a digital readout rather than a titrator. As near as I can figure you would need to be titrating about 5 liters of display water to get the resolution you are quoting. Are you sure you are using the API Reef Master test and that you are getting 10.022?

First thing I suspected. . API or API test strips