Calcium and alk

[Mpdan]

Tested water yesterday Calcium 400 and dkh 4. I had some salt mixed up and tested that Calcium 420 dkh 7. I did a water change this morning, 5 gallons weekly 28 gallon tank, now readings are Calcium 400 dkh 5. Should I start dosing? I have been seeing decent growth in the tank, but the dkh is scaring me a bit.

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[JMalone81]

What are you using to test? Is the test kit good? How do your coral look?

 

[ultimatemj]

I'd encourage you to investigate kalkwasser (I use it via ATO). It's the easiest way to dose, and unless you have a larger tank, or significant amounts of SPS growth, it is typically "enough".

 

[Mpdan]

What are you using to test? Is the test kit good? How do your coral look?

API test kit. I tested it 3x same results. Had it tested at lfs yesterday and he said calcium was 380 dkh was 4-5. Corals are looking good

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[Funlad3]

What kit did the store test your water with? There's no way your dkh was at 4; your rock and sand would be dissolving to try to balance out the carbonate buffer system in your tank.

 

[RockOn681]

I would consider getting a different test kit just to be safe. Maybe spend a few more bucks and get a RedSea kit.

 

[Mpdan]

I don't know what kit they used. I guess I will be picking up another kit today.

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[goatous]

If you decide to buy another tester, I've had good luck with my Hanna alk checker, very consistent and super quick.
Matches nicely with Red Sea Pro but a fraction of the time to test.
I'm also not seeing variations between lots of the reagent, which is indication to me of quality manufacturing of their chemicals.
Good luck!

 

[JMalone81]

I would also go with Hanna alk too. API are not the best test kits. I doubt your alk is 4 and you have living coral.