Hello, I’m just curious. What are those tube anemone looking things coming out of the zoas at 6:27? I’ve got them on my zoas is why I ask and can’t seem to find what they are when I search it up
Hey FP, you’ll notice a difference. It just gives you more balance with ph, alk and Calc. My 20 galling tank took a year to use it up. You don’t need much on smaller tanks.
Hi Jean, yes Alk is important for quicker growth, due to better calcification 😊👍🏻thanks for watching! Hey, How is French people reacting to Putin’s madness?
@@TOMReefer France is chocked by Putin war ! A lot of actions are going but not enough I think. But I trust to ONU to find more solutions. The slow victory is Russia is ruined.
You have to slowly raise or lower it, a sudden spike like with most parameters will have a bad effect on things the wild reef are some of the most stable environments in our oceans and that's why certain corals, fish, and invertebrates thrive
@@TOMReefer appreciate you tom for guiding. Please make video about wavemaker adjusting and right placement I have single jebao MLW-20 FOR MY TANK Dimensions 120 50 50 adjusting wave maker make me old to get forth and back wave thank you again
Hi Tom can I dose Alk and magnesium same day I mean first dose Alk and 2 hours later dose magnesium? Cause I have problem I added daily Alk and magnesium but both of them didn't raise
Hey Tom, my alk is losing 1dkh/day, in my 20 gallon. Any recommendations on keeping it at 8.4-8.6? I just started paying really close attention as I’m adding my final coral, another torch. It’ll probably drop a little more after adding it.
Hi 444,😊 I use Cbalance two part by 2 little fishes. You really shouldn’t dose alk by itself. It could create an imbalance in your calcium to alk ratio. Possibly create PH issues. 1dkh per day is quite a lot? Do you have a reliable test kit? How often are you changing water? I use the BRS brand dosing pump for my 2 part.
@@TOMReefer yeah I tested several times a day within 24 hrs. Using salifert, 1dkh drop. I have various softies, lps, coraline growth, and a single spa frag. I get why it would consume. Honestly most of my cal and mag are at its limits so, I don’t want to dose that either. I’m kinda stuck here.
Hi Shaggy, a large 50% water change will lower it as long as your salt mix is normal. Just make sure your test kit is accurate 👍🏻 does your fowlr tank contains live rock?
What’s up tom, I have a 15 gallon nano reef and I’m at around 10.0 whenever I did a fresh water change and would like to stay there but how do I know how much all for reef to dose everyday to stay around 10.0
Hi, gr8 video as always. I have a 3 wk old reef tank, cycling, no creatures in it. I thought a new tank would have good parameters. My ph is 7.9 Calcium 373 Still doing the other tests. Is my calcium too low ? And why is my ph low, i did a 25% water change b4 testing Confused, maybe you can help, please, and thanks
Hi Jack, 7.9 is not too low. 373 is fine also. If you are still cycling then you shouldn’t be doing water changes. And during cycling your ph could be low, that’s normal. You want the cycle to finish, allowing bacteria to form. Look through my video playlist for videos with titles that are similar to your questions. 👍🏻😊
@TOMReefer ok thanks I am using dr tims one and only, and dr tims ammonia, It says to do a water change, im new and confused, i really appreciate your help.
I have my first tank - ten gallon frshwater. I was finishing up cycling and was planning on adding fish tomorrow, but of course something ahs to go wrong, and my alkalinity is at just 40ppm. What would you recommend?
Hi Griffin, if you are talking about freshwater Alkalinity, I can’t help you too much but, it sounds like you need to buffer your water to get to about 100-250ppm. In marine aquariums it’s simply mix up new salt water to raise the Alk. You may want to try a larger 50% water change. Your fresh water should have at least 100ppm which will raise your tank water.
hello. my aquarium has a stable pH of 8.3, calcium at 420, but my kh is close to 12 and I can't reduce it. how do I do? I have already changed the water a few times, but the effect is minimal..
Hi Fabio, if you are using a 2 part solution to dose calcium and alkalinity, stop using both parts and keep testing your Alk until it gets in the range you want. Then start dosing again at a lesser quantity. If you are not dosing, then it may be your salt mix is high in alk, or your test kit may not be accurate. 👍🏻
@@TOMReefer Good morning. I'm using the salifert test, which I believe is reliable... I'm not dosing anything at the moment. Is there any buffering to lower the kh?
Hi Fabio, if you trust your test kit, (I only use Hanna Checker Alkalinity) then you might try doing nothing for a period of a few weeks to a month. No water change, no kalkwasser in your ato. Test every few days. You should see it decline. Test your salt mix for alk. If your salt mix has a high dkh you are just adding alkalinity each time to add new salt water. You may want to try a new batch of salt mix. 😊
Hi Miguel, I’ve heard of it, but can’t speak on it Miguel. I’ve never used it. I understand how it works, similar to Kalkwasser, however not completely sure.👍🏻
Hi i am new to corals. My tank was a little low on ph. Add buffer to it. Got to 8.3ph now my alkalinity is at a 15 alk. And my calcium is at 360. Ive tried dosing calcium in but im afraid ill put to much calcium. But i cant get the alkalinity to drop from 15.
Hi Calup, 😊 just buffering pH is not the best way to increase everything equally as you can see. Not in Marine aquariums anyway. What you need to do is a substantial water change with fresh salt water, which should have a balance, calcium and alkalinity. This way it’ll equalize your high alkalinity. If you have a small tank under 20 gallons, you should be able to maintain calcium and alkalinity and pH within an equal range just with water changes alone. There are a lot of other variables with low pH and buffering isn’t the answer. IMO. 😊👍🏻 feel free to check back here when you’ve tried 50% water change. Test your parameters at that point.😊
Hi Becky, the same brand doesn’t necessarily mean the salt will measure the same as mine. It could be that specific batch of salt. Did you try testing your salt mix before you did the water change? The other issue could be your test might be faulty. Try testing your salt mix before you add it to your tank.👍🏻
Beginner here, with a 40 gal tank. Fish store tested my water and said PH 8, Alk 11.7 dKH. They don't understand why Alk is so high. I use Instant ocean. And fish keep dying, with symptoms suggesting high Alk is the issue. Will Kalkwasser help? I also use Instant Ocean and 10% water change every two weeks. Only my clowns are still alive, along with a Zoa and Frog Spawn. Frustrating. but any help is appreciated!
Hi Chris, 11.7 dkh is not harmfully high or even too high. Some SPS reef keepers desire it higher like yours. have you tested your newly mixed salt water before you put it in your tank? Try that. If it’s over 11 dkh, then it’s your salt mix. Are the fish dying shortly after acclimation into your tank? Or over time. Are they online orders or from your LFS? How do you acclimate your fish? What type of fish died? and are the clowns a pair? I’m sure you tested nitrite and ammonia right? Quite a few possibilities for dying fish. don’t add any buffers or Kalkwasser at this point. That may only exasperate the issue. I’m asking the questions so I can get more info. Then I can better help you.👍🏻😊
@@TOMReefer Thanks for responding!! I felt like giving up, but I'll keep trying. I'm have a feeling my main issue is that I don't acclimate properly. I put the bags in the water for an hour. but I was told I should put them in a separate container and slowly put in my tank water over the course of a couple hours. I just don't have a lot of equipment right now for a real quarentine tank. I don't have a good Alkalinity tester. Any good recommendations? otherwise I'll just spend the money for the Hanna ones. I only use strips and the Master salterwater test kit which uses color chart. My strips only measure Total Alkalinity, and mine shows 300mg/L. My other parameters stay around this: Nitrate 25mg, Nitrite 0, Ammonia 0, PH 8, Phosphate .25, salinity 1.025, coopper 0, iron 0, chlorine 0, carbonate 40, total hardness 200. My new salt water tests about the same. The only high param is Total Alkalinity, but that's a good idea to keep checking it. Fish die shortly after I get them, or within 3 weeks. They show the same symptoms, like they don't eat much, hide in the corner, and then seem to have trouble breathing as their gills are moving quickly. The LFS said my Ca was 347 ppm, Mg 1588ppm. and they confirmed my other readings above. I don't have a Ca, Mg reader. He did recommend a Calcium liquid. I put in Reef Energy Plus. I've had diamond goby, 6 line wrasse, fire fish, 6 line wrasse, royal gamma, cleaner shrimp. They were all from different LFS, and have since died. My first was a ocellaris clownfish and has lived since I started my tank 7 months ago. I later got a 2nd clown. I have turbo snails, a couple crabs, and some Nasarrius snails which are doing well and recently laid eggs on the glass. Thanks again!
Hi Chris, acclimation is, float the bag 15 minutes, then remove some bag water and replace with new salt water every 15-20 minutes. Do this for 1 hour max. Your LFS’ might be selling the fish too soon. Find one LFS to deal with that you feel really comfortable with. Ask them how long they have had the fish and to feed the fish before you take them. So many possibilities with fish dying, but it’s not your Alk. As I said 11.7 is not overly high. I run mine that high at times. Your other Parameters are ok. Reef keeping is a live and learn experience.😊
My PH was 8.0 yesterday and today it’s 7.4 :( I’m currently cycling my tank with no fish . Not sure why it dropped so much over night . I had the window open yesterday for like an hour . Maybe that’s why the ph went up? Wish it was up all the time
I have test stripes for my aquarium and everything is fine accept alkinity is high and my fish are acting stressed. My aquarium is fresh water. I need to lower it
In a marine tank, changing a large amount of the water can help reduce alk. I guess with fresh water, it would depend on the measurement of alk. In the new water to replace? Fresh water is a bit different then salt.
@@TOMReefer thanks for the response and input. I just drained the whole tank cleaned it and started over. Everything tested fine after. But my goldfish are still acting erratic. And one has stringy withe poop. I'm new to aquariums and these guys or girls are goldfish from a carnival. I've managed to keep them alive for over a year. I'm going to run to the pet store and get some antibiotics for them. They had a small 5 gallon tank and out grew it so I went and bought a 20 gallon tank. And was only doing 30 percent water changes. Long story short when I did a full cleaning of the tank there was alot of feces in the gravel. So I'm guessing I should do a complete empty clean and refill once a month.
Hi Mr Adams, what I would do, is stop using the buffer, and do two 50% water changes over the period of 1 week. Test your PH and DKH, and see what you get. If your alk and ph are good at that point, discontinue the buffer and change your water more frequently. The buffer you are adding may be the issue. On the other hand, 13.4 is not crazy high with a PH of 8.4 either.
Hi...idk bout what you mentioned w the reef crystals...ive consistently been getting 12 alk in my salt mix from the reef crystals so I switched to regular Io salt in the purple box...alk mixes up lower ever time to about a 9 on alk...so...idk maybe I got some bad batches of the reef crystals????
I’m currently in the middle of setting up my own 75 gallon based on your build it’s a purchased aquarium but I’m building the overflow and skimmer based on yours.
Well, if you can rely on water changes to keep your alkalinity and calcium levels up m, then that would be fine. You just wanna make sure that your demand will not exceed what your water changes can provide. Test Alkalinity and Calcium along the way😊👍🏻
I dose with redsea 2 part. At the moment, due to high levels from the moment i started the tank, i measure Ca at 510 and alkaline at 7.5. I dose 6ml alk. A Day and only 1.5ml Ca a Day to slowly get things in balance, which seems to go in the right direction. Would you recommend kalkwasser as adition once it stabilizes?
Hi Danny, you have to be careful putting unequal amounts of the two part in. To stabilize it the best way is to do a large water change. As long as your salt mix is a balanced ratio of calcium and alkalinity that’s the way to do it. As I said in the video I add Kalkwasser in a very small amount in my ATO just for purposes to be able to reduce the amount of 2 part, and precipitating phosphate. 😊👍🏻
That means your 2 part calcium or alk is off, or your salt mix. You’ll be fluctuating all the time putting uneven amounts in. Test your salt mix. Then think about trying C Balance 2 part. It’s the correct ratios 👍🏻😊
Hi Tom. I done some tests, salt mix (red sea) seems fine. so i researched some more.. reason might be my sulfur reactor. it "eats" kh whilst working, and in the same time increases Ca due to the calcium Stones i use to restabilize the ph in the reactor. i am dosing 0 Ca and 6ml red sea´s Kh coraline gro now for a week or 2 and things slowly start to go in the good direction.. Every situation is unique i guess and each tank demands it´s own approach once you go to " specialized" filter methodes like sulfur reactor (No3 is pinpoint 1.3Ppm now btw)
Hey Tom 1st well let me thank you for always answering my questions I was thinking about this alphabetic this alkalinity thing isn't this for coral that create a calcium based what would I call it structure
Hi Chris, yes, but natural levels of Calcium and alkalinity are desired for a generally healthy tank. put super simple, in Nano tanks up to 20 gallons, with softies only, if you change water regularly say 5-10% weekly your Alk and calcium should be fine. “If” your salt mix is fine 👍🏻😊
My alk is high. I know I have to do water changes to lower the alk but I jus came out of a blackout from fighting Dino’s. If I do a water change it’ll be like a bomb sparking the Dino’s again. I’m stuck idk what to do 😩
My ph was 7.6.. for the longest but my ALK was in the sweet range my corals looked bored (not dead not bleached) I raised my ph (I was told it would help my corals) now my ALK is at 11.. as of today. It could change tomorrow.. when should I worry or is it one of those. If the tank is doing fine don't worry about it..
Hi Chris, 11dkh is higher but not to high. If your ph is where you want it now, and corals look good, then I wouldn’t worry. A large 50% water change would probably bring your DKH down, unless your salt mix has a high DKH. You might want to check your calcium and see if it’s somewhat of a balance with your Alk. 😊👍🏻
@@TOMReefer Thanks for the reply.. My LFS did ask yesterday which salt I was buying I told them Fritz they said switch to Instant Ocean so it sounds like you and them were thinking the same thing. Disclaimer... They didn't explain why I needed to switch salt but now hearing from you it sounds like Instant Ocean might have a lower DKH..
@@TOMReefer This is what i found strange with this salt, is KH is not always the same kh !!! Look at this video: ua-cam.com/video/-e2nmtzJA_g/v-deo.html
Hey Everyone! I hope all is well! We’re lucky to be able to watch our vids! This one connects with last weeks PH vid. Have a great day! 😃
Hello, I’m just curious. What are those tube anemone looking things coming out of the zoas at 6:27? I’ve got them on my zoas is why I ask and can’t seem to find what they are when I search it up
Hi Flat, I don’t know the exact name, but they are harmless tube worms. Like mini feather duster worms. 😊👍🏻
Thanks man. I can stop worrying now lol. Happy reefing!
I need to start dosing. Dont know why i dont but i need to just start already. Thanks again for all the great info
Hey FP, you’ll notice a difference. It just gives you more balance with ph, alk and Calc. My 20 galling tank took a year to use it up. You don’t need much on smaller tanks.
I like the way you explain things👌🏻
Thanks Lew 👍🏻
I haven't seen yellow montipora digitata before. Nice find.
Hi Gwonk, yes! Not sure if you follow the channel,but, got it at Fish Guy Mikes 👍🏻😊
@@TOMReefer how to lower calcium and alkalinity ,, thanks
Hi Khanh, large water change. Make sure salt mix is correct calcium and alkalinity first.
Tom - I bought an AI Prime 16HD man I love it dude. Keep kicking ass man.
Hi Tee Bird! Great to hear! Enjoy it! 👍🏻😊
The tanks look so awesome, great video and it came at the best time.
Hi G-Reef, thanks, glad the vid. Helped😊👍🏻
Ho Tom. Very clear. I don’t pay enough attention to my alkalinity. I will check that more now. 👍. Thank for this video !
Hi Jean, yes Alk is important for quicker growth, due to better calcification 😊👍🏻thanks for watching! Hey, How is French people reacting to Putin’s madness?
@@TOMReefer France is chocked by Putin war ! A lot of actions are going but not enough I think. But I trust to ONU to find more solutions. The slow victory is Russia is ruined.
found your videos and M enjoying them. Nice mix of a simple and sophisticated
Hi Crumptons! , thanks, I try to give what I know. Some reef keeping is simple, some is more advanced👍🏻😊
Hi Tom, is it possible to suddenly raise the DKH from 5.4 to 8.4 without harming the corals? Or must slowly raise it
You have to slowly raise or lower it, a sudden spike like with most parameters will have a bad effect on things the wild reef are some of the most stable environments in our oceans and that's why certain corals, fish, and invertebrates thrive
@@Tarmac_the_destroyer thanks ma man
Slow is the way to go😊 1.0dkh max per day
@@TOMReefer appreciate you tom for guiding.
Please make video about wavemaker adjusting and right placement I have single jebao MLW-20 FOR MY TANK Dimensions 120 50 50 adjusting wave maker make me old to get forth and back wave thank you again
Check out my new video 😂
Hi Tom can I dose Alk and magnesium same day I mean first dose Alk and 2 hours later dose magnesium?
Cause I have problem I added daily Alk and magnesium but both of them didn't raise
You can raise both at the same time. Just don’t mix them together. You probably didn’t dose enough or have a bad test
@@TOMReeferI appreciate you tom
Hey Tom, my alk is losing 1dkh/day, in my 20 gallon. Any recommendations on keeping it at 8.4-8.6? I just started paying really close attention as I’m adding my final coral, another torch. It’ll probably drop a little more after adding it.
Not sure what product to use as a doing agent for alk and pump? I don’t really need to dose calcium and magnesium. 🙏 thank you
Hi 444,😊 I use Cbalance two part by 2 little fishes. You really shouldn’t dose alk by itself. It could create an imbalance in your calcium to alk ratio. Possibly create PH issues. 1dkh per day is quite a lot? Do you have a reliable test kit? How often are you changing water? I use the BRS brand dosing pump for my 2 part.
@@TOMReefer yeah I tested several times a day within 24 hrs. Using salifert, 1dkh drop. I have various softies, lps, coraline growth, and a single spa frag. I get why it would consume.
Honestly most of my cal and mag are at its limits so, I don’t want to dose that either. I’m kinda stuck here.
spectacular. what size aquarium?👍👍
Hi George, thanks, it’s 75 gallons 😊👍🏻
I'm adding corals to a fowlr and kh is over 14.0 how do i lower it
Hi Shaggy, a large 50% water change will lower it as long as your salt mix is normal. Just make sure your test kit is accurate 👍🏻 does your fowlr tank contains live rock?
Where did you get those containers
Hi Linda, BRS sells them 👍🏻
What’s up tom, I have a 15 gallon nano reef and I’m at around 10.0 whenever I did a fresh water change and would like to stay there but how do I know how much all for reef to dose everyday to stay around 10.0
I’m not familiar with dosages of all for reef, sorry
Hi, gr8 video as always.
I have a 3 wk old reef tank, cycling, no creatures in it.
I thought a new tank would have good parameters.
My ph is 7.9
Calcium 373
Still doing the other tests.
Is my calcium too low ?
And why is my ph low, i did a 25% water change b4 testing
Confused, maybe you can help, please, and thanks
Hi Jack, 7.9 is not too low. 373 is fine also. If you are still cycling then you shouldn’t be doing water changes. And during cycling your ph could be low, that’s normal. You want the cycle to finish, allowing bacteria to form. Look through my video playlist for videos with titles that are similar to your questions. 👍🏻😊
@TOMReefer ok thanks
I am using dr tims one and only, and dr tims ammonia,
It says to do a water change, im new and confused, i really appreciate your help.
@jacklawer6389 cycling takes time. Keep testing. When ammonia and nitrite are 0 then you can do a water change. 👍🏻
@TOMReefer ok thanks my friend, really enjoy your videos , learn a lot
@jacklawer6389 thanks Jack 😊
I have my first tank - ten gallon frshwater. I was finishing up cycling and was planning on adding fish tomorrow, but of course something ahs to go wrong, and my alkalinity is at just 40ppm. What would you recommend?
Hi Griffin, if you are talking about freshwater Alkalinity, I can’t help you too much but, it sounds like you need to buffer your water to get to about 100-250ppm. In marine aquariums it’s simply mix up new salt water to raise the Alk. You may want to try a larger 50% water change. Your fresh water should have at least 100ppm which will raise your tank water.
The tank is looking great, doesn’t seem that long ago that you built the 75. Reef keeping is an art and a science!
Haha! Thanks X! Glad you are back! 👍🏻😃
hello. my aquarium has a stable pH of 8.3, calcium at 420, but my kh is close to 12 and I can't reduce it. how do I do? I have already changed the water a few times, but the effect is minimal..
Hi Fabio, if you are using a 2 part solution to dose calcium and alkalinity, stop using both parts and keep testing your Alk until it gets in the range you want. Then start dosing again at a lesser quantity. If you are not dosing, then it may be your salt mix is high in alk, or your test kit may not be accurate. 👍🏻
@@TOMReefer Good morning. I'm using the salifert test, which I believe is reliable... I'm not dosing anything at the moment. Is there any buffering to lower the kh?
Hi Fabio, if you trust your test kit, (I only use Hanna Checker Alkalinity) then you might try doing nothing for a period of a few weeks to a month. No water change, no kalkwasser in your ato. Test every few days. You should see it decline. Test your salt mix for alk. If your salt mix has a high dkh you are just adding alkalinity each time to add new salt water. You may want to try a new batch of salt mix. 😊
Tom the video is great! I was going to ask what are you thought on All-For-Reef from Tropic Marin?
Hi Miguel, I’ve heard of it, but can’t speak on it Miguel. I’ve never used it. I understand how it works, similar to Kalkwasser, however not completely sure.👍🏻
Hi i am new to corals. My tank was a little low on ph. Add buffer to it. Got to 8.3ph now my alkalinity is at a 15 alk. And my calcium is at 360. Ive tried dosing calcium in but im afraid ill put to much calcium. But i cant get the alkalinity to drop from 15.
Hi Calup, 😊 just buffering pH is not the best way to increase everything equally as you can see. Not in Marine aquariums anyway. What you need to do is a substantial water change with fresh salt water, which should have a balance, calcium and alkalinity. This way it’ll equalize your high alkalinity. If you have a small tank under 20 gallons, you should be able to maintain calcium and alkalinity and pH within an equal range just with water changes alone. There are a lot of other variables with low pH and buffering isn’t the answer. IMO. 😊👍🏻 feel free to check back here when you’ve tried 50% water change. Test your parameters at that point.😊
My alk was 11.2 5 days later water change its 12.1 what's going on haven't added anything could it have been my salt mix using same salt as you
Hi Becky, the same brand doesn’t necessarily mean the salt will measure the same as mine. It could be that specific batch of salt. Did you try testing your salt mix before you did the water change? The other issue could be your test might be faulty. Try testing your salt mix before you add it to your tank.👍🏻
Beginner here, with a 40 gal tank. Fish store tested my water and said PH 8, Alk 11.7 dKH. They don't understand why Alk is so high. I use Instant ocean. And fish keep dying, with symptoms suggesting high Alk is the issue. Will Kalkwasser help? I also use Instant Ocean and 10% water change every two weeks. Only my clowns are still alive, along with a Zoa and Frog Spawn. Frustrating. but any help is appreciated!
Hi Chris, 11.7 dkh is not harmfully high or even too high. Some SPS reef keepers desire it higher like yours. have you tested your newly mixed salt water before you put it in your tank? Try that. If it’s over 11 dkh, then it’s your salt mix. Are the fish dying shortly after acclimation into your tank? Or over time. Are they online orders or from your LFS? How do you acclimate your fish? What type of fish died? and are the clowns a pair? I’m sure you tested nitrite and ammonia right? Quite a few possibilities for dying fish. don’t add any buffers or Kalkwasser at this point. That may only exasperate the issue. I’m asking the questions so I can get more info. Then I can better help you.👍🏻😊
@@TOMReefer Thanks for responding!! I felt like giving up, but I'll keep trying. I'm have a feeling my main issue is that I don't acclimate properly. I put the bags in the water for an hour. but I was told I should put them in a separate container and slowly put in my tank water over the course of a couple hours. I just don't have a lot of equipment right now for a real quarentine tank.
I don't have a good Alkalinity tester. Any good recommendations? otherwise I'll just spend the money for the Hanna ones. I only use strips and the Master salterwater test kit which uses color chart. My strips only measure Total Alkalinity, and mine shows 300mg/L. My other parameters stay around this: Nitrate 25mg, Nitrite 0, Ammonia 0, PH 8, Phosphate .25, salinity 1.025, coopper 0, iron 0, chlorine 0, carbonate 40, total hardness 200. My new salt water tests about the same. The only high param is Total Alkalinity, but that's a good idea to keep checking it. Fish die shortly after I get them, or within 3 weeks. They show the same symptoms, like they don't eat much, hide in the corner, and then seem to have trouble breathing as their gills are moving quickly.
The LFS said my Ca was 347 ppm, Mg 1588ppm. and they confirmed my other readings above. I don't have a Ca, Mg reader. He did recommend a Calcium liquid. I put in Reef Energy Plus.
I've had diamond goby, 6 line wrasse, fire fish, 6 line wrasse, royal gamma, cleaner shrimp. They were all from different LFS, and have since died. My first was a ocellaris clownfish and has lived since I started my tank 7 months ago. I later got a 2nd clown. I have turbo snails, a couple crabs, and some Nasarrius snails which are doing well and recently laid eggs on the glass. Thanks again!
Hi Chris, acclimation is, float the bag 15 minutes, then remove some bag water and replace with new salt water every 15-20 minutes. Do this for 1 hour max. Your LFS’ might be selling the fish too soon. Find one LFS to deal with that you feel really comfortable with. Ask them how long they have had the fish and to feed the fish before you take them. So many possibilities with fish dying, but it’s not your Alk. As I said 11.7 is not overly high. I run mine that high at times. Your other Parameters are ok. Reef keeping is a live and learn experience.😊
Watch all my videos, I have tons of info. I’ve been Reef keeping for almost 30 years now👍🏻
My PH was 8.0 yesterday and today it’s 7.4 :( I’m currently cycling my tank with no fish . Not sure why it dropped so much over night . I had the window open yesterday for like an hour . Maybe that’s why the ph went up? Wish it was up all the time
Sometimes fluctuations can happen, but that’s a substantial drop. Could be a inaccurate test or possible due to your cycling
I have test stripes for my aquarium and everything is fine accept alkinity is high and my fish are acting stressed. My aquarium is fresh water. I need to lower it
In a marine tank, changing a large amount of the water can help reduce alk. I guess with fresh water, it would depend on the measurement of alk. In the new water to replace? Fresh water is a bit different then salt.
@@TOMReefer thanks for the response and input. I just drained the whole tank cleaned it and started over. Everything tested fine after. But my goldfish are still acting erratic. And one has stringy withe poop. I'm new to aquariums and these guys or girls are goldfish from a carnival. I've managed to keep them alive for over a year. I'm going to run to the pet store and get some antibiotics for them. They had a small 5 gallon tank and out grew it so I went and bought a 20 gallon tank. And was only doing 30 percent water changes. Long story short when I did a full cleaning of the tank there was alot of feces in the gravel. So I'm guessing I should do a complete empty clean and refill once a month.
My PH is always about 8.4 but ALK is currently at 13.4. How can I get it down lower? I’m currently using it ATO seachem marine buffer .
Hi Mr Adams, what I would do, is stop using the buffer, and do two 50% water changes over the period of 1 week. Test your PH and DKH, and see what you get. If your alk and ph are good at that point, discontinue the buffer and change your water more frequently. The buffer you are adding may be the issue. On the other hand, 13.4 is not crazy high with a PH of 8.4 either.
@@TOMReefer ok will do thank you
Hello!
So,don't worry about KH(KH=10,my tank)?
Hi Ted, Dkh 10 is ok 👍🏻no worries
@@TOMReefer water temperature=27'C,LPS,OK?
Hi Ted, 27 is fine 👍🏻😊
Hi...idk bout what you mentioned w the reef crystals...ive consistently been getting 12 alk in my salt mix from the reef crystals so I switched to regular Io salt in the purple box...alk mixes up lower ever time to about a 9 on alk...so...idk maybe I got some bad batches of the reef crystals????
Hi Carter, hmmmmm, I haven’t checked it in a long time. Maybe it’s time to check it. 12dkh is high!
@@TOMReefer reef crystals has a dkh of 12 when mixed to 35 ppt or 1.026
I’m currently in the middle of setting up my own 75 gallon based on your build it’s a purchased aquarium but I’m building the overflow and skimmer based on yours.
Hi Samuel, great! Saves you some and no need for a sump. Good luck! 👍🏻😊
I’m a reef crystals guy also Tom !
Nice Darth, some people complain about it, but I’ve always been ok with it👍🏻😊
Hey Tom very nice quick question if you're doing a softy tank though you really don't have to worry about all that stuff right
Well, if you can rely on water changes to keep your alkalinity and calcium levels up m, then that would be fine. You just wanna make sure that your demand will not exceed what your water changes can provide. Test Alkalinity and Calcium along the way😊👍🏻
Why does a high pH make alk more unstable? Thanks!
Hi Chris, it’s a bit too deep to answer here. Haha. Has to do with a few things carbon dioxide exchange, etc. 🤪
I dose with redsea 2 part. At the moment, due to high levels from the moment i started the tank, i measure Ca at 510 and alkaline at 7.5. I dose 6ml alk. A Day and only 1.5ml Ca a Day to slowly get things in balance, which seems to go in the right direction. Would you recommend kalkwasser as adition once it stabilizes?
Hi Danny, you have to be careful putting unequal amounts of the two part in. To stabilize it the best way is to do a large water change. As long as your salt mix is a balanced ratio of calcium and alkalinity that’s the way to do it. As I said in the video I add Kalkwasser in a very small amount in my ATO just for purposes to be able to reduce the amount of 2 part, and precipitating phosphate. 😊👍🏻
@@TOMReefer if i dose equal amounts, my Ca value goes trough the roof at 580 and more...
That means your 2 part calcium or alk is off, or your salt mix. You’ll be fluctuating all the time putting uneven amounts in. Test your salt mix. Then think about trying C Balance 2 part. It’s the correct ratios 👍🏻😊
Hi Tom. I done some tests, salt mix (red sea) seems fine. so i researched some more.. reason might be my sulfur reactor. it "eats" kh whilst working, and in the same time increases Ca due to the calcium Stones i use to restabilize the ph in the reactor. i am dosing 0 Ca and 6ml red sea´s Kh coraline gro now for a week or 2 and things slowly start to go in the good direction.. Every situation is unique i guess and each tank demands it´s own approach once you go to " specialized" filter methodes like sulfur reactor (No3 is pinpoint 1.3Ppm now btw)
That seems to make sense 👍🏻good luck
Hey Tom 1st well let me thank you for always answering my questions I was thinking about this alphabetic this alkalinity thing isn't this for coral that create a calcium based what would I call it structure
Hi Chris, yes, but natural levels of Calcium and alkalinity are desired for a generally healthy tank. put super simple, in Nano tanks up to 20 gallons, with softies only, if you change water regularly say 5-10% weekly your Alk and calcium should be fine. “If” your salt mix is fine 👍🏻😊
@@TOMReefer OK my tank is 20 gallons and it should have mostly softies in it What salt do you suggest
My alk is high. I know I have to do water changes to lower the alk but I jus came out of a blackout from fighting Dino’s. If I do a water change it’ll be like a bomb sparking the Dino’s again. I’m stuck idk what to do 😩
Just let your alk be high for a while. 😊👍🏻
My corals look real good with alk at 7.7 and calcium and mag really high
If it’s working 👍🏻
My ph was 7.6.. for the longest but my ALK was in the sweet range my corals looked bored (not dead not bleached) I raised my ph (I was told it would help my corals) now my ALK is at 11.. as of today. It could change tomorrow.. when should I worry or is it one of those. If the tank is doing fine don't worry about it..
Hi Chris, 11dkh is higher but not to high. If your ph is where you want it now, and corals look good, then I wouldn’t worry. A large 50% water change would probably bring your DKH down, unless your salt mix has a high DKH. You might want to check your calcium and see if it’s somewhat of a balance with your Alk. 😊👍🏻
@@TOMReefer Thanks for the reply.. My LFS did ask yesterday which salt I was buying I told them Fritz they said switch to Instant Ocean so it sounds like you and them were thinking the same thing.
Disclaimer... They didn't explain why I needed to switch salt but now hearing from you it sounds like Instant Ocean might have a lower DKH..
Yes, different salts can have different levels. Give your salt mix a test before you change the water to see what the levels are. 👍🏻
@@chrislocke1042 hi Chris, yes instant ocean runs around 8-9 👍🏻
instant ocean reef crystals have a kh of 12
Hi Michel, interesting, when ever I’ve tested I get around 9DKH
@@TOMReefer This is what i found strange with this salt, is KH is not always the same kh !!! Look at this video:
ua-cam.com/video/-e2nmtzJA_g/v-deo.html
Thank you so much for talking slowly, lol
👍
Hi Dave 😃👍🏻
Bro relay the information way faster we want information not calming music
Hitman, skip over those parts 😃that’s what I do. Some viewers like the calming music. You’re why I’m not doing full length videos anymore 😂
Less show boating and more info
It’s just who I am 79Monte. 😊