Low alk

[lnevo]

I finally got my lazy *** in gear and tested my params again. It seems my alk is low at 6.2. Cal was at 450 and Mag at 1560. My pH also runs a bit low between 7.9-8.1

I'm going to test again later this week before/after my next WC to see what the usage, new water and post WC look like.

I have my dosers setup (with RO right now) and have the BRS starter packs. Should I be get the alk in check seperately before moving forward? Or just work at maintaining it at current levels?

 

[Jaftica]

Where do you normally maintain alk at? Also your ph is fine, don't chase the ph, if you normally run alk a little higher you can bump it up with 2 part over a couple days. Then maintain with your dosing pump.

 

[lnevo]

I finally got my lazy *** in gear and tested my params again. It seems my alk is low at 6.2. Cal was at 450 and Mag at 1560. My pH also runs a bit low between 7.9-8.1

I'm going to test again later this week before/after my next WC to see what the usage, new water and post WC look like.

I have my dosers setup (with RO right now) and have the BRS starter packs. Should I be get the alk in check seperately before moving forward? Or just work at maintaining it at current levels?

I have not started any maintenance yet...my routine consists of weekly 20% WC which obviously wrongly assumed would keep levels in check and maybe is doing so for Calcium and Mag.

I'm not looking to chase pH but i thought it relevant as there is a relationship between alk and pH and thought ot may be relevant.

I brought up the two part since I have it and am ready for dosing, just haven't been diligent enough testing to be comfortable starting..

I am getting good growth on all my corals so I'm sure it's time to start supplementing, but the low alk had me concerned.

 

[arnaldolex]

I've been using baking soda to maintain my alk for over 12 years I aim between 10-11 its very simple go into google and type in reef chemistry calvulator put in your gallons where your at where u wanna be what u wanna use and wala I haven't bought suppliments since question mark put me onto this

 

[arnaldolex]

note deduct gallons for your rocks I got a 125 and 30 gallon sump and out in 100g it works exactely to proper number

 

[Boomer]

I would let the Alk go until the new WC is done. Many salts already have a very high Alk.

 

[lnevo]

My plan right now is to wait till Wed when i do my next WC test before, after, and the new saltwater. The main concern i have is that i measured 6.7 in mid July as well AND i just did a roughly 40% change last Wednesday...

have my BRS 2 part solutions all mixed and ready to go. As soon as I'm done testing, I'll be ready for whatever the action plan is.

Anyway, I'll post again when I have more data.

 

[Boomer]

Ok, keep us informed

 

[lnevo]

Well, out of time right now to do the WC... but here's the measurements i have so far..

New Saltwater (Reef Crystals)

Salinity 35ppt
Magnesium 1540ppm
Cal 450ppm
Alk 9.5dkh

My water... pre WC

Magnesium 1540ppm
Cal 450ppm
Alk 5.6dkh

Should I be concerned with my alk this low? It seems surprisingly low especially considering I did a ~35gallon WC last Wednesday (usually ~17g/week)

I would think the usage .15 / day is not terrible... calcium did not seem to drop any though.. is that normal?

 

[lnevo]

Should add that tank is 65g and a 20g sump. I estimate 70g water volume (based on http://reef.diesyst.com/volcalc/volcalc.html). PH stays very stable between 7.9-8.1

 

[lnevo]

Ok, water change is done. 18-20g of water. Alk is now at 6.3.

So next step, based on BRS calculator to dose 35ml of Alk to get to a target of 7. I figure with the usage that I recorded, I'd end up ~6.85 tomorrow night, and then I can keep it going from there.

Any thoughts before I start? does that sound right to you guys?

 

[oh207]

I'm tagging along to learn more. I have a 4 month old 65g that has a similar issue with low pH and low alk. I've been doing a 20g water change every 2 weeks since the 2nd month. I'm hoping to learn more about dosing.

 

[lnevo]

Re-read this http://www.manhattanreefs.com/forum/chemistry/144208-how-dosing-help.html and looks like I'm on the right path at least to get things in check.

This article also explained why alk seems to drop faster than the calcium which appears to be holding steady.. http://www.nano-reef.com/topic/331311-falling-alk-steady-calc-and-mag/

The only thing I'm questions is if I'm being too cautious with increasing only .7 where I see recommendations of up to 1.4dkh per day.

 

[lnevo]

Found this tonight as well. It shows the 4 different imbalances and how to address them. I'm in zone 4. Action plan is confirmed.

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2002/11/chemistry

I'm going to set my target to 9.5 to match my WC water. Looks like I will need 160ml to get there. If I do it over 4 days, it'll be 40ml per day over the 4 days. Wish me luck

 

[oh207]

All great articles. Thanks for sharing. I'm reluctant to start dosing. I figured the bi-weekly water change should be enough to replace whats depleted. But I believe now that I need to take this more seriously and learn about dosing quickly.
Good luck to you.

 

[duke62]

Check your test kits bro. Reef crystals usually has a ALK of 11. At least the test i did using my salifert kits. I tested with at least 4 different salifert kits

 

[lnevo]

Could definitely be a test kit issue, but my readings have at least been consistent. I guess i could test with my API kit (shudder) as well to see what it says at least as a comparison. These measurements are with a red sea pro kit.

My goal right now is to raise it to the levels of my fresh SW so there's no swing during a WC. I dosed 20ml of alk twice today. I'll measure a little bit later to see where it ended up. My goal is to raise it slowly over the next 4 days.

 

[lnevo]

API

RC - 10
Lee - 7

RSP

RC - 9.5
Lee - 6.7

 

[SteveZ15]

Salifert 10 for reefcrystal salt

 

[lnevo]

So after 40ml (20ml +20ml) yesterday and another 40ml today, I went from the initial 6.3 to 6.7 and now 7.0. I'm happy with the gradual increase. Let's see what it's at by Sunday. pH has also moved up to a better "reef" range. Instead of the 7.9-8.1 that I had before, it looks like I'm now moving into the 8-8.2 range.

I know the pH buffering is temporary, how long will it last though? or if I get to the point where I'm maintaining the alk through dosing, will the ph stay stable at this new higher range?