Redsea ALK kit vs. Salifert (quick question)

[Brisc0]

Hello, I have been battling with my alk for a month, and after taking the adivce from people on AA I got myself a salifert test kit. The Redsea told me I was "high" alk. Thats all it gives, now that I have real numbers they are 7.4 dKH or 2.63 meg/L The kit says that 8 dKH or 2.9 meg/L is natural seawater, do I want to target those numbers or shoot for something else for aquarium water? Thanks!

 

[reefrunner69]

What is your CA? There is a relationship between the two and to know what is a good alk, you gotta know what the CA is.

http://www.andy-hipkiss.co.uk/caalkcalc.htm
This will help you figure out what it should be...

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/may2002/chem.htm
This will describe the relationship

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/nov2002/chem.htm
And this will help you decide if you have a problem and how to correct it

 

[Brisc0]

Okay i'll check out the links. Still using redsea for cal but it says im in the 450 range.

 

[Biggen]

The links RR gave you should help you out quite a bit. I just wanted to throw in what Alk and Ca I try to keep my tank at.

Alk 9-10 DKH
Ca 400 - 450 ppm

I like to run them above NSW levels so I have a margin of error to work with if something weird should happen.

 

[Brisc0]

Thanks, I just broke down and got myself a salifert PO4, NO3, CA, PH, and DO to go with that ALK kit. I figured since the difference I got between the two was so drastic I should just stock up on the essential kits from Sali for peace of mind.