What is the correct water value?

[slow_leak]

I have been keeping corals for 4 years, but with all the different ways people run tanks I am still a bit confused as to what the correct water value should be of the basic alkalinity of a reef tank.

I have seen many runn with a calcium reactor to to an 11kH, while I see other recommend a 7-8kH.

I currently run the water at kH 7-8 with a calcium reactor and 1/4 teaspoon of lime everyother day. When I ran to 11kH I had trouble with the sand bed clumping up.

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

I have seen many runn with a calcium reactor to to an 11kH, while I see other recommend a 7-8kH.

I recommend 7-11 dKH for alkalinity.

What exactly causes the sand to clump isn't clear, but high pH and possibly high alkalinity, and the newness of the sand may all contribute.

This article may be useful:

Reef Aquarium Water Parameters (a summary general article)
http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-05/rhf/index.htm

[bierluvre]

Originally posted by slow_leak
I am still a bit confused as to what the correct water value should be of the basic alkalinity of a reef tank.

I have seen many runn with a calcium reactor to to an 11kH, while I see other recommend a 7-8kH.

Originally posted by Mr. Farley
I recommend 7-11 dKH for alkalinity.

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Funny how that worked out.