Low alk and fish

fishkeeprian · 05/16/2018, 03:18 PM

Hello I have just tested my alk in my system and it's 5.4ppm would this low reading affect fish negatively especially wrasses? I have no corals in this tank.

Pslreefer · 05/16/2018, 04:10 PM

Alk doesn’t effect fish. No reason to even test for it if you don’t have corals. For fish only systems I would only monitor salinity and temp.

bertoni · 05/16/2018, 09:38 PM

I agree that the fish won't care about the alkalinity itself. If the alkalinity drops to a very low level, the pH might become an issue, at least in theory. I might check the pH.

nereefpat · 05/17/2018, 10:58 AM

You can easily bring the value up with a little baking soda, by the way.

BaleKlocoon · 05/17/2018, 11:53 AM

From what I've read, having low alkalinity can make your tank more prone to large pH swings. The fish might not care about the alkalinity in itself, but I don't think large swings in pH are good for fish.

05/16/2018, 03:18 PM	#1
fishkeeprian Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: England, Earl Shilton Posts: 1,452	Low alk and fish Hello I have just tested my alk in my system and it's 5.4ppm would this low reading affect fish negatively especially wrasses? I have no corals in this tank. __________________ If in doubt ask!

05/16/2018, 09:38 PM	#3
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	I agree that the fish won't care about the alkalinity itself. If the alkalinity drops to a very low level, the pH might become an issue, at least in theory. I might check the pH. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

05/17/2018, 10:58 AM	#4
nereefpat Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Central Nebraska Posts: 3,190	You can easily bring the value up with a little baking soda, by the way. __________________ Pat Current Tank Info: 125 in-wall , 40b sump. 6 bulb T5. ASM G2 skimmer. LPS and leathers

05/16/2018, 04:10 PM	#2
Pslreefer In Memoriam Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Port St Lucie, FL Posts: 597	Alk doesn’t effect fish. No reason to even test for it if you don’t have corals. For fish only systems I would only monitor salinity and temp.

05/17/2018, 11:53 AM	#5
BaleKlocoon Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: Irving, TX Posts: 125	From what I've read, having low alkalinity can make your tank more prone to large pH swings. The fish might not care about the alkalinity in itself, but I don't think large swings in pH are good for fish.