Rodachtis splitting or dying???

[Erink]

KH: 5.36 MEQ/L or 15 dKH
pH: 7.9 (cant seem to get it up...was told not to use pH buffer)
Sal: 1.245 (has always been this)
NO3: 5.0
NO2: 0
NH4/NH3: 0
PO4: 0.25 (has always been for over a year)
Mg: 1200 (slowly bring up to 1230- on day 2)
TEMP: 80

She's been fine, I've had her for over a year. She's usually stretched out. Is she dying?

My other rodachtis' are ok as you can see from the picture

 

[Anchor]

Based on my experience, it looks like it may be trying to split. Mine usually pinched pretty equally on both sides. They did shrink up when that happened. So, based on what I just told you. IDK..

 

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Thank you

 

[Erink]

This is placement in my tank

 

[Anchor]

Dont worry about the pH. a good salt will keep it there from water changes.
only other thing is the lighting that may affect it.. based on your numbers from testing as they look decent except your dKH. 15 is kinda high.. What salt are you using and what test kit.. ?? Are you dosing any Kalk or bicarb or soda ash?

 

[Erink]

I use red sea salt and test

 

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Not dosing anything except bacteria at the moment...ammonia was high

 

[Enerderek]

15 dKH does seem kind of high. Maybe get your water tested somewhere else to see if your alk test kit is accurate

 

[Erink]

What number is good? I normally measure in meq/L. It should be between 4-6. So I'm really confused. I thought 5.36 meq/L is good... soooo confused please help

 

[Anchor]

I measure dKH so I would be in the 8 to 9 range. 10 is "usually" as high as you want to get in that range. I have never measure in meq/l so I cannot answer in that measurement type.

 

[Anchor]

Alkalinity Conversion Chart

Coral Reef Tank Help & Information and Aquarium Classifieds

www.captivereefs.com

here is a conversion chart. What you show is correct for 15 dKH. but for dKH, that number is pretty high fo a reef.

Natureal seawater should run in the 8 to 10 range. where are you getting your recommendation from?

 

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Test kit instructions

 

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How do I lower it? Water change?

 

[Anchor]

Test you new saltwater first.. Are you using RODI or tap water?

 

[Anchor]

Your meq/l should be between 2.5 and 4 and not 4 to 6

 

[Erink]

Tap with PRIME. I let sit for about 30 with pump on for it to mix well... cant afford a rodi
How do you lower KH?

 

[Anchor]

I think you need to get an RODI.. sounds like y our tap has very hard water, this is likely the cause. you might be able to test your tap water without salt for you dKH. You really want to start with water that is zero and then add salt. If things have been healthy, dont rush trying to lower it. you want to do it slowly. over a couple months. If you tap water tests high, you will likely have to use RO water at least to get it down.

 

[Camaro Show Corals]

Tap with PRIME. I let sit for about 30 with pump on for it to mix well... cant afford a rodi
How do you lower KH?

You need a rodi, that’s your main problem. Your water will only be as good as your base water. This is not a cheap hobby and you get what you pay for. I’d recommend buying rodi water from a LFS till saving up for a rodi

 

[Anchor]

I dont know if this is any good. but cheapest one I could find.

 

[Erink]

Wow! Above and beyond thank you, you're a really nice person