3000 gallon frag system... Alkalinity?

SnowflakeE · 05/20/2018, 06:52 AM

Hello, I perform regular maintenance on a 3000 gallon frag system with many 100 gallon troughs and one 800 gallon trough with tangs. I dose a kalkwasser-vinegar solution; and use 6 large filter socks as our only source of filtration. As of late the alkalinity has been slowly rising to now about 11.2 from about 8.2 over the last 2-3 weeks. No methods of maintenance have changed and all other parameters remain the same except a slow build-up of nitrates which water changes usually take care of:
Calc: 460-480
Mag: 1350
Phosphate: <0.03
Salinity: 35
Temp: 78-80
PH: 8-8.2
Nitrates: Usually <5 have risen to 25 on occasion.
..I hope to install a large protein skimmer when the funds are available but that doesn't seem to be the near future.

Anyway if anyone can think of any reason the alkalinity would be rising any advice is welcome, also I have stopped dosing kalk in the last few days because calc and alk are so high. To no avail.

Vinny Kreyling · 05/20/2018, 07:25 AM

Check the salt mix.

mcgyvr · 05/20/2018, 08:22 AM

It sounds like a clear case of too much kalk...

joshky · 05/20/2018, 12:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcgyvr

It sounds like a clear case of too much kalk...

+1 Even if the amount you've been dosing has been steady, rate of consumption can change quickly.

Jonviviano · 05/21/2018, 07:54 AM

Agreed, Too much Kalk. If the funds are not available for a skimmer, I would recommend trying to make one yourself. With a system that large I bet you have plenty of parts to tinker with.

Subsea · 05/21/2018, 08:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SnowflakeE

Hello, I perform regular maintenance on a 3000 gallon frag system with many 100 gallon troughs and one 800 gallon trough with tangs. I dose a kalkwasser-vinegar solution; and use 6 large filter socks as our only source of filtration. As of late the alkalinity has been slowly rising to now about 11.2 from about 8.2 over the last 2-3 weeks. No methods of maintenance have changed and all other parameters remain the same except a slow build-up of nitrates which water changes usually take care of:
Calc: 460-480
Mag: 1350
Phosphate: <0.03
Salinity: 35
Temp: 78-80
PH: 8-8.2
Nitrates: Usually <5 have risen to 25 on occasion.
..I hope to install a large protein skimmer when the funds are available but that doesn't seem to be the near future.

Anyway if anyone can think of any reason the alkalinity would be rising any advice is welcome, also I have stopped dosing kalk in the last few days because calc and alk are so high. To no avail.

My bad. I pushed the wrong button with fat fingers.

If your frags are growing, your calcium and your alkalinity will come down. No worries.

Without knowing more of system specifics, let me make some comments about using vinegar. It is an organic carbon which is primary food for bacteria. Inorganic carbon dioxide gas grows coral. Dana Riddle article at Advanced Aquaria describes the processes very well.

https://www.advancedaquarist.com/2016/9/aafeature

SnowflakeE · 05/24/2018, 06:53 PM

Thanks I did stop on the kalk and numbers are setting down:
Today,
Alk: 10.5
Ca: 450
Mag: 1260

anbosu · 05/25/2018, 07:59 AM

If this is a greenhouse/outdoor system and the kalk is part of your ATO system that could be the culprit. Rising temps will cause more evap so you'll in effect be dosing more.

05/20/2018, 06:52 AM	#1
SnowflakeE Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 93	3000 gallon frag system... Alkalinity? Hello, I perform regular maintenance on a 3000 gallon frag system with many 100 gallon troughs and one 800 gallon trough with tangs. I dose a kalkwasser-vinegar solution; and use 6 large filter socks as our only source of filtration. As of late the alkalinity has been slowly rising to now about 11.2 from about 8.2 over the last 2-3 weeks. No methods of maintenance have changed and all other parameters remain the same except a slow build-up of nitrates which water changes usually take care of: Calc: 460-480 Mag: 1350 Phosphate: <0.03 Salinity: 35 Temp: 78-80 PH: 8-8.2 Nitrates: Usually <5 have risen to 25 on occasion. ..I hope to install a large protein skimmer when the funds are available but that doesn't seem to be the near future. Anyway if anyone can think of any reason the alkalinity would be rising any advice is welcome, also I have stopped dosing kalk in the last few days because calc and alk are so high. To no avail.

05/20/2018, 07:25 AM	#2
Vinny Kreyling Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Miller Place, NY Posts: 7,206	Check the salt mix. __________________ 250 gallon mixed reef, 2 Reefbreeder's Photon V 2, Deepwater BLDC 12, DAS EX-3 Skimmer, MTC mini cal, 2-3/4" Sea Swirls, Aquacontroller & 6 Tunze pumps.

05/20/2018, 08:22 AM	#3
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	It sounds like a clear case of too much kalk... __________________ Who me?

05/21/2018, 07:54 AM	#5
Jonviviano Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 417	Agreed, Too much Kalk. If the funds are not available for a skimmer, I would recommend trying to make one yourself. With a system that large I bet you have plenty of parts to tinker with.

05/24/2018, 06:53 PM	#7
SnowflakeE Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 93	Thanks I did stop on the kalk and numbers are setting down: Today, Alk: 10.5 Ca: 450 Mag: 1260

05/25/2018, 07:59 AM	#8
anbosu Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Mount Juliet, TN Posts: 4,528	If this is a greenhouse/outdoor system and the kalk is part of your ATO system that could be the culprit. Rising temps will cause more evap so you'll in effect be dosing more.