Proper dKH level

[clamfoot]

I have read everthing from 7-18 dKH. I just rec'd an e-mail from Seachem and they recommend 12-15 dKH, this seems rather hi to me. I always thought that if an average calcium level of 400-450 ppm is maintained and alkalinity gets above 12dKH there is a good chance of calcium depletion and I have actually witnessed this snow storm effect. I feel , and correct me please, that 7-10 dKH
is a more normal range but Seachem says . "We recommend 4-5 meq/L (12-15 dkH) as a safe level of alkalinity for a closed environment like a saltwater tank."
Some thoughts please.
Thanks

 

[fusion]

Things seem to work out better for me at around 11 dKH. I use the seachem reef builder with the reef complete and have had great results....

 

[Jenemone]

I've just begun testing my alk, and it is at 6.5 meg/L. What happens when it goes too high?

 

[cubera]

dKH 8-12 usually works well. Branches can get very brittle with dKH over 12 all the time. HTH

 

[jmeader]

I'm keeping my meq/L between 3 and 4. My calcium between 395 and 425. Any time I go higher it just seems to cause needless problems.

 

[jmeader]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Jenemone:
<STRONG>I've just begun testing my alk, and it is at 6.5 meg/L. What happens when it goes too high?</STRONG><HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
The higher your alk gets, the more likely it is to drive your calcium right out of solution. Even more quickly if your mag is also low.

[ August 26, 2001: Message edited by: jmeader ]

 

[golfish]

keep mine at 12