Alk consumption low tech/coral tank

[Radicalrob1982]

Hi all,

Just wanted to ask a general question about alk consumption

Tank: 25 gallon with about 15 to 18 lbs live rock
Tunze 9001 comlome skimmer
Livestock: 2 clowns and a bi color Blenny
Filtration: tidal 55 with floss, carbon and matrix media

Corals: red Monti cap about 3 inch wide, 1 trumpet coral, 1 small colony of clove polyps, 1 hammer, 1 sinularia leather about hard ball size.

In 5 days, my tank consumed 1.3 parts alk. Would this be considered normal for 5 days?

 

[Uncle99]

Hi all,

Just wanted to ask a general question about alk consumption

Tank: 25 gallon with about 15 to 18 lbs live rock
Tunze 9001 comlome skimmer
Livestock: 2 clowns and a bi color Blenny
Filtration: tidal 55 with floss, carbon and matrix media

Corals: red Monti cap about 3 inch wide, 1 trumpet coral, 1 small colony of clove polyps, 1 hammer, 1 sinularia leather about hard ball size.

In 5 days, my tank consumed 1.3 parts alk. Would this be considered normal for 5 days?

1.3 parts of “what units”?
Is that a DKH number or a PPM number?
I’m thinking DKH and dropping 1.3dkh in 5 days for a light load is about right.

I would drop 1.3dkh in a day but I am heavy stocked.

 

[kharmaguru]

There's no magic number. Few corals - only the Monti, hammer and trumpet, snail shells, maybe you have some coralline, and the nitrification process consume alkalinity. Because those animals and processes are different in every tank, the consumption from tank to tank is also different.

 

[Radicalrob1982]

1.3 parts of “what units”?
Is that a DKH number or a PPM number?
I’m thinking DKH and dropping 1.3dkh in 5 days for a light load is about right.

I would drop 1.3dkh in a day but I am heavy stocked.

It's dkh. Using the Hanna checker

 

[Radicalrob1982]

Would it be best to get a doser or just calculate and dose morning and night ?

I did the math. So far is need to add 2.7 ml of ESV 2 part to maintain 8 dkh. But obviously test this method every other day to ensure it's not going up or down too fast

I just understand that the frequent small doses are better than a lump sum once a week

 

[Uncle99]

Would it be best to get a doser or just calculate and dose morning and night ?

I did the math. So far is need to add 2.7 ml of ESV 2 part to maintain 8 dkh. But obviously test this method every other day to ensure it's not going up or down too fast

I just understand that the frequent small doses are better than a lump sum once a week

A small amount like that can be daily until it drops .5 dkh in 24hours. Then it will need more frequent to ensure stability so Doser for sure at that point. You can add the Doser anytime, and it can do all three, the more frequent, the better.

I dose ESV CA at the same rate as ESV Alk. ESV MG I dose at approx. 1/6th of Alk.

So…..for me….thats 70ml per day, Alk and CA with MG at 15ml per day.
Dosing is 12 times per day, Alk on the even hour, CA on the odd hour, MG, just once every 24 hours.

At the end of the day, the least flux in all parameters is best.

 

[Radicalrob1982]

Thanks for the info.

Would anyone know a good starter dosing set up without mortgaging the house lol? 3 or 4 pump set up?

Not trying to cheap out but also don't need the best kind either. I should probably start watching some videos on it. Some automation would be nice.

 

[griss]

Thanks for the info.

Would anyone know a good starter dosing set up without mortgaging the house lol? 3 or 4 pump set up?

Not trying to cheap out but also don't need the best kind either. I should probably start watching some videos on it. Some automation would be nice.

Jebao. Least expensive you’ll find and I’ve never received a bad Jebao product.

 

[griss]

Amazon.com : Jebao Programmable Auto Dosing Pump DP-4, Black : Pet Supplies

Amazon.com : Jebao Programmable Auto Dosing Pump DP-4, Black : Pet Supplies

www.amazon.com

 

[Uncle99]

Thanks for the info.

Would anyone know a good starter dosing set up without mortgaging the house lol? 3 or 4 pump set up?

Not trying to cheap out but also don't need the best kind either. I should probably start watching some videos on it. Some automation would be nice.

As griss suggests, the Jebao DP-4 is an excellent product, for about $100.
Mine has run without exception for years.
If you’re only doing the big three, MG,Alk and CA, you can also consider the DP-3 at about $80.
They come with an extra dosing head, but I have yet to use that.
Amazon delivered!