hi all what should the alkalinity reading be for my red sea max i,am useing the red sea max alkalinity test kit and the reading showes as a low level of alkalinity i,am doseing 9ml e.s.v alkalinity additive daily to get it up is this ok.

thanks perren

you should be keeping your alkalinity at 8.0 dkh, minimum, I keep mine around 10.

Zeo uses keep theirs closer to NSW - 7.5 ish.

On the RSM test it should be green - although the test is pretty vague. With my RSM the alkalinity always seems average to low on the RSM test kit (its yellowy green rather than bluey green), but I suspect it is actually fine. A decent test kit would probably be worth the investement in both our cases.

I have found this article really helpful.......

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

We have a RSM and have like cONCH found the test with the tank very vague. I have increased alkalinity to 3.5 meq/L + and found definite improvement with corals such as hydnophora etc.