Normal PH and alkalinity?

[fishcrazy]

I tested my PH and it looks like its about 8.8 I think it should be 8.3 correct? What is normal for alkalinity (in meq and DKH). Is there a supplement for invertabras, some kind of kalk?

[Enigma13]

You are correct that 8.3 is proper for pH.

Alkalinity is a topic of a bit more debate. Most people in the states would advocate alkalinity in the range of 10-14 dkH (3.5-5 meq/L). In Europe many tanks are kept in the range of 6-9 dkH (2.2-3.25 meq/L). This is why some test kits will show the normal range much lower than what you would typically hear being discussed as a normal range here on the boards. I try to keep mine around 10 so that I am on the cusp and not too far off regardless of which group's advice is correct.

[fishcrazy]

What about invertabras? I noticed a couple of hermit crabs and an emerald crab die over the past 6 months, thought it might just be coincidence, but then read I should be adding some kind of kalk for invertabra? BTW my alk. was low, could it just be low alk. our is there 2 kinds of alk. additives, one for coral and color, and one for inverts.?

[fishcrazy]

bump

[Ram_Puppy]

animals die, there is no certainty that low alc/calcium is to blame.

there are many suppliments you can add to balance out your water parameters. water changes might help in the short term if your salt mix has good levels.