Alkalinity Issue

[jjwex]

I'm having a problem keeping my alkalinity above 6.5 - 7. It's in that range every morning. I then dose it with soda ash from Bulk Reef Supply and it will read 9 - 10 for a few hours and then go back to 6.5 - 7. My ph is 8.3 so I'm at a complete loss as to what's going on. Any thoughts?

[Runfrumu]

I dont think you'll get an accurate reading if you check the alk right after you dose for it.

Could be a bad test kit, not dosing enough or your tank just uses alot of carbonate. Mine was using so much it made 2 part a hassle so I got a calcium reactor.

[jjwex]

I'm checking the alkalinity before I dose. I do have a calicum reactor on order. Hopefully that will make things a bit more stable, but it's really frustrating that I can't seem to raise it.

[sedor]

Your also dosing magnesium right? It plays a huge role in keeping your Ca and Alk stable. If your not, you need to. Try and keep it around 3X your Ca. So if your Ca is 425 dose your Mag to 1275. This is not something you have to do every day. I only dose Mag about every 2 weeks when the level starts falling a bit.

[jjwex]

I am dosing mag and it's usually between 1200 - 1300.

[bertoni]

What animals are in the tank? The system might just be consuming a lot of alkalinity. Are there any signs of precipitation on the heater or inside pumps?