Need a little direction after testing

[Reefbound]

My new Salifert test kits arrived today after being backordered for a little while,Anyway I went straight to testing and found my Ph,Alk, and Kh values low to very low... Here are the numbers.

Ph - 8.0
Calcium - 495
Magnesium -1350
Ammonia - 0 or no noticeable color change
Phosphates - 0 or no change
Alk - 1.49 (Checked twice this is correct)
Kh value 4.2

I was looking to order the two-part solution but Im not sure what direction to go or what would be best to use to get those numbers up. I am also using Seachem reef salt, I do weekly 20 gallon water changes.
Everything looks ok in the tank but I have noticed that growth on some of my acro's have slowed drastically. My tank is also 2 1/2 years old.
Lighting is with a 432 watt t-5 with 3 month old lights.
If anyone has any more quetions please ask and I will try to answer... which direction would you go?

 

[DonW]

What salt are you using? Just plain old baking soda will bring your alk up.

Don

 

[Reefbound]

What salt are you using? Just plain old baking soda will bring your alk up.

Don

Seachem Reef salts, temporarally... Then Im going back to Oceanic,which also has been low on alk for me. You say "Plain old baking soda" what would the dosage be start with ?

 

[DonW]

Seachem Reef salts, temporarally... Then Im going back to Oceanic,which also has been low on alk for me. You say "Plain old baking soda" what would the dosage be start with ?

Oceanic is high in Ca, Mg and P. Here is a calculator.
http://home.comcast.net/~jdieck1/chemcalc.html

Don

 

[mmkeeper]

I would retest the ALK and Ca. This link might help you also. http://www.reefnerds.com/ChemPlot/ChemPlot.html

 

[Reefbound]

I would retest the ALK and Ca. This link might help you also. http://www.reefnerds.com/ChemPlot/ChemPlot.html

Alk was tested twice as stated in the post and the Calcium was double checked after the post with the same results and your link doesnt work for me,all i get is a red X.

 

[DonW]

Alk was tested twice as stated in the post and the Calcium was double checked after the post with the same results and your link doesnt work for me,all i get is a red X.

You need active x control installed. I'm assuming 1.9 is mg/l not dkh. If this is the case just dose and let the ca fall. Of course water changes will speed the process if you balance the fresh mix.

Don

 

[Reefbound]

You need active x control installed. I'm assuming 1.9 is mg/l not dkh. If this is the case just dose and let the ca fall. Of course water changes will speed the process if you balance the fresh mix.

Don

that is meq/l I should have put that there.... Thats a good idea of balancing the fresh mix before adding never thought of that... Im going to have to decide what to get over at two-part,I like that concept. And for that red x for some reason Vista will not install that particular active X control .

 

[Kurt_Nelson]

Here's a good article for you...

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/nov2002/chem.htm

Unless you need Ca between water changes, I wouldn't think using Oceanic salt you'd need to use a two-part solution - unless you have a big load of SPS corals or something. As your Ca drops, it should be easier to up that alkalinity. Getting them both high will cause you a headache.