Alk low...Should I switch to bio pellets?

[Woja222]

So, a month or so ago I switched from some free phosphate/silicate removing beads I got for free to GFO. Noticed a big change in coralline and coral growth. But now I'm having trouble keeping my alk up. It keeps dropping down to the mid-high 7's and I want to keep it in the low 9's. I top off with kalkwasser mixed as 3 tsp/gallon calcium hydroxide and 20 ml/gallon of vinegar mixed to it. When the alk gets low I dose up with Oceans blend.

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

The alk may be dropping not due to the GFO directly but to increased growth of calcifying organisms. I wouldn't switch away just because you find an increased need for inexpensive buffers. :)