Alkalinity Question

Str8linespeed · 01/01/2018, 12:10 PM

Alright, Question time about alkalinity. This past summer my alkalinity, held in the 7-9 range with very minimal dosing. In the last few months it drops extremely fast. It will be in range and a in a couple weeks it will be down into the 5's. I raise it again and same thing.. I only test every couple of weeks, since all my other parameters hold so well. What causes it to drop so fast??

homer1475 · 01/01/2018, 12:21 PM

Whats your coral load like? Have any coralline growing? Coralline will suck up alkalinity like there is no tomorrow.

Str8linespeed · 01/01/2018, 12:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by homer1475

Whats your coral load like? Have any coralline growing? Coralline will suck up alkalinity like there is no tomorrow.

Very interesting! I probably have 20+ different coral in my 65 gal, SPS, LPS and softies. All of my rock is covered in coralline as well. I was not aware that the coral and coralline suck it up that fast, I'll keep an closer eye on it.

homer1475 · 01/01/2018, 01:38 PM

You can use as much as 2 DKH daily. With that coral load, I would consider testing daily for a bit.

nereefpat · 01/01/2018, 03:00 PM

Yep. Time to start dosing, my friend.

You will want to test for calcium too.

outssider · 01/01/2018, 04:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Str8linespeed

All of my rock is covered in coralline

bingo.....there you go....waiting till your dkh is 5 then boosting way up is a recipe for disaster....you want to keep your parameters steady ESPECIALLY alkalinity

bertoni · 01/01/2018, 05:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by homer1475

You can use as much as 2 DKH daily. With that coral load, I would consider testing daily for a bit.

I agree. 2-3 dKH per day is fairly common. My soft coral tanks went through that much a day due to coralline growth.

Str8linespeed · 01/01/2018, 06:03 PM

Very interesting, knowing that info above I'll test every couple days again to keep an eye on it. My calcium doesnt fluctuate like the alkalinity and I very rarely have to dose calcium.

All other parameters seem to hold very steady, so I only tested every couple of weeks until the last few months.. Guess its time to start testing more frequently.

mluntz · 01/01/2018, 07:07 PM

You'll probably have to dose daily to get you levels up. Also don't raise your dkh more than 1 dkh daily. bigger fluctuations can be dangerous. Also keep an eye on you ph as this will fluctuate with your alkalinity. Good luck.

01/01/2018, 12:10 PM	#1
Str8linespeed Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Oakdale, MN Posts: 461	Alkalinity Question Alright, Question time about alkalinity. This past summer my alkalinity, held in the 7-9 range with very minimal dosing. In the last few months it drops extremely fast. It will be in range and a in a couple weeks it will be down into the 5's. I raise it again and same thing.. I only test every couple of weeks, since all my other parameters hold so well. What causes it to drop so fast??

01/01/2018, 12:21 PM	#2
homer1475 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Upstate NY Posts: 5,313	Whats your coral load like? Have any coralline growing? Coralline will suck up alkalinity like there is no tomorrow. __________________ 80G SCA Build: http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2560256 Originally posted by der_wille_zur_macht: "He's just taking his lunch to work"

01/01/2018, 01:38 PM	#4
homer1475 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Upstate NY Posts: 5,313	You can use as much as 2 DKH daily. With that coral load, I would consider testing daily for a bit. __________________ 80G SCA Build: http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2560256 Originally posted by der_wille_zur_macht: "He's just taking his lunch to work"

01/01/2018, 03:00 PM	#5
nereefpat Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Central Nebraska Posts: 3,190	Yep. Time to start dosing, my friend. You will want to test for calcium too. __________________ Pat Current Tank Info: 125 in-wall , 40b sump. 6 bulb T5. ASM G2 skimmer. LPS and leathers

01/01/2018, 07:07 PM	#9
mluntz Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Millersville, Md. Posts: 727	You'll probably have to dose daily to get you levels up. Also don't raise your dkh more than 1 dkh daily. bigger fluctuations can be dangerous. Also keep an eye on you ph as this will fluctuate with your alkalinity. Good luck. __________________ 46 Gallon Bowfront, (1)Ocellaris Clownfish, (1)Carpenter wrasse, (1)Coral Beauty, (1)Kole Tang

01/01/2018, 06:03 PM	#8
Str8linespeed Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Oakdale, MN Posts: 461	Very interesting, knowing that info above I'll test every couple days again to keep an eye on it. My calcium doesnt fluctuate like the alkalinity and I very rarely have to dose calcium. All other parameters seem to hold very steady, so I only tested every couple of weeks until the last few months.. Guess its time to start testing more frequently.