Calcium and ALkaline Levels

[Hara]

My tank has been staying at a calcium of 450 and an alkaline level of 170.
Do I have to worry about bringing this down? Everything seems to be content.

 

[Anemoneman]

Assuming 170 ppm alkalinity (9.5 dKH, 3.4 meq/l), you are right where you should be. See this link for a handy guide to an alkalinity unit conversion table: http://ozreef.org/reference/alkalinity_conversion.html

 

[Hara]

thanks a bunch!

 

[fishfreek]

You should be getting some NICE coraline growth i bet.

 

[Hara]

I was, and then well.....my tendency to overfeed has caused the phosphates to skyrocket. I put phosguard in there almost two weeks ago.
(But darn, they always look SO hungry!)

 

[fishfreek]

Unless they look skinny and you can see their bones then they are getting plenty to eat.

Remember these guys have evolved from living in the ocean. In the ocean food may be plentyful 1 day and scarce the next. Thus when food is made available they will eat it up because they dont know when the next meal might come by.

In our tanks unless we have a serious forgetful spell the time between meals is short (ie once or more times per day.)