Instant ocean reef crystals
low dkh with reef crystals is weird, that stuff typically mixes around 10-12 dkh at the salinity you are running. Are you using freshly mixed salt water or letting it sit for a month?
When you get the alk up your calcium will drop. both tanks are fairly new so just let the cycle ride. PH testing will typically show different results throughout the day as well. when testing your tanks try to keep it around same time of day/night to keep your measurements as consistent as possible.
Yea thatās why it seems odd. But my fresh water sits about up to 2 weeks. When I mix salt water it sits a few hours , 24 hours or a few days depending on how soon I need it. About 1 year ago I was testing 9 to 10. Now Iām happy if I get 8. When I doeverything seems better and more stable. What about ro di , could clogged rodi cause this. Ill test fresh salt mix tonight
What does everyone think of red sea reef foundation 3 part. Iām looking into that as a way to up alk and manage alk,calc,and mag
I personally avoid dosing as much as humanly possible. With a 45g tank, you should be able to keep up with just water changes to manage the basic foundations. Itās a different story if youāre following one of the Zeovit or Triton systems, but in general thatās my take on it.
yes I also feel that way and I do not use zeolite or triton method. But I feel if I canāt get it up I may need to dose something. Currently trying to find out whi its so low. May be before its in the tank. Came down with shingles so no progress on anything this week. Just trying to keep the fish fed lol
Oh no! Feel better!
I think Iām through the worst of it. I missed a water change and a dose of vibrant. I think it will be fine but what I did notice was as I have been using vibrant my king midas zoas closed up. After not dosing a week they have opened up. Iām going to do a 10% water change this weekend and dose the vibrant again and see if they close up. Iāll report back in case anyone else has this variety of zoa.
Overall the bubble algea is slowing coming back in from manual removal. I Will removal some more before water change. the vibrant seems to be removing some of the surface detritus. Planning to scrape up the top layer of sand to remove a good portion.
Photo of my main display current state. Please excuse the filth.
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red sea products are great. I personally donāt think you need to start dosing looking at how many corals you have. Water changes should be enough. I like the esv 2 part. It adds trace and mineral as well
Ok cool just thinking ahead. Right now not planning to add anything until everything gets in order and clean. But is it possible I need more in there to manage the chemistry? Would esv 2 part be an option for me now to get ph , alk, calc in line? I feel I have an abundant amount of calc right now. Low ph, very low alk.
I wanted to run the red sea colors in the future on my tanks when they are full and thought maybe products of the same company work better together. So I was thinking red sea 2 part and maybe using their salt. What are your thoughts on this. Tin foil? I know anything will work but I am thinking maybe there would be better balances and stability.
You donāt really need anything except maybe dose alk if you bring that up to 8 your calcium should fall in line. Also water changes should help as well. No need to go crazy with the water changes since to many could force you into a cycle of sorts.
PH is not worth chasing. When you start getting growth it should start going up. My ph low is 8.2x with a high of 8.8x these days. Only numbers I chase are dkh, no3 and po4
I use KZ products for color, but both brands are very good. Dosing colors does get expensive so keep that in mind. I stopped dosing the 4 part color system and stick with other kz products along with aminos
You think I should just make my own soda ash or use something like kalkwasser?
Or would it be better to just start a 2 part. I just need my alk up like you said I believe.
I also need a chiller for a 60g, any recommendations?
I have zero experience with kalkwasser.
Honestly if the corals look good donāt chase water changes in due time will more then likely get you where you need to be.
As for a chiller I have never really needed one. I put fans on top of the tank and in the sump area set to turn on if temps reach a certain number and to turn on every hour for 5 or 10 minutes just to keep fresh air in there which would help with ph issues and it helps with the humidity in the stand as well. Thatās how I did my 60 cube
