alk levels

[Mike&Pam]

I currently have 4 corals in my 90 gal (2x96 pc lighting). I am a little confused on exactly what the alk level should be. According to my red sea alk test, it says it's at around 2.7. The instructions for the test kit say it should be 2.5. I've read that above 2.6 is good on this board. However, I've also read on reefs.org that is should be at least 4. What should the exact level be?

 

[Mike&Pam]

of course this is in meq and dkh. I'm not sure I know the difference, but i know it's in meq's.

 

[Anonymous]

I lose between 0.5 and 1.0 meq/l of alkalinity each day. My Alk is 4.0 @ 430 ppm Ca++ and 2.5 meq/l @ 400 ppm Ca++.

We aren't talking about a precise number--it's an operating band.

Ty

 

[danmhippo]

What is your Ca, Ph, and Magnesium levels? These are correlated too.

 

[Mike&Pam]

ca is 450, ph is somewhere between 8.1 and 8.4, magnesium i've never tested for