ph and dk

[ZOOT098]

i started wondering about my lack of corline growth, even though i have some its not really outstanding

soooo. i thought i should check my ph and dk
my ph was about 8.4 but my dk was only about 6

i have a liquid ph buffer by kent and i have a powder by kent which also says ph buffer

i am assuming the powder is for the dkh, do they always have to be used together (what my LFS told me) or can you use one without the other?

 

[ccCapt]

6 dKH isn't too bad, but 7 dKH would be better.
What is your calcium and magnesium? What about phosphate?
Coralline is pretty easy to grow. It only needs stable levels of calcium (380-420), alk (6-8 dKH) and magnesium (1300-1350). Maintaine those levels, keep phosphates at undectable levels and you will have plenty of coralline.

I'm not sure about those store bought buffers. I use baking soda to raise my alk. Here's a calculator to help you figure out how much you need to dose to raise your levels.

 

[ZOOT098]

is there a magnesium test kit on the market thats good?????

have test kits for everything else

calcium is at about 400

phosphates are testing 0

 

[ccCapt]

Salifert Magnesium Profi-Test I use Salifert for all my tests.

I just noticed your from Harrisburg. Have you ever been to Something Fishy in Northampton? It's an awesome store. They aslo carry Salifert test kits.

 

[yote]

If your using the kent superbuffer,it'll only raise the PH to 8.3,but the DKH will continue to come up as you dose it.

 

[ZOOT098]

i have never been to that store in northampton, i didnt even know it existed, i will check it out

picked up a magnesium test i was measuring 1200

phos 0
calcium 400
dkh now at 8
ph at 8.3 +-/