So, when Will and I went out of town (during which we got engaged...yay!), we had another saltwater friend watch our tank. (Go ahead...gasp....)
I came home, everything looked fine. A couple of days later, my Monti Caps started looking funny like they usually do when the alkalinity gets low. Ok, fine. I tested the alkalinity, and it came back at 6.4 dKh or 2.57 mg/l. Not good. I did a 10% water change, and retested. Same thing. I made 3 gallons of limewater (which is what the online chemistry calculator said I needed to bring it back up to 12 dkh) and dripped it over two days.
I went down to Sean's to pick up some nice new frags. Came home, tested the water...NO CHANGE IN ALKALINITY!!! I had no choice, so the frags went in. One cap didn't make it, and the other cap is struggling. I dripped another gallon of limewater...tested it...and I'm only up to 7.2 dkh. My calcium is getting too high, so I'm scared to do anything other than water changes. But, this just doesn't make sense...why isn't my alk going up? I'm horrible at chemistry.
60g total volume
Here's what my tests show:
Calcium: 550 Red Sea
Alk: 7.2 dkh or 2.57 mg/l Salifert
PH: 8.2 API
Nitrite: 0 API
Nitrate: 0 API
Ammonia: 0 API
Phosphate: 0 Salifert
Yeah, I'm a horrible person and don't have a Mag test. I know that influences, but I'm not sure how.
Thanks!
Nikki