Low Alk

[ocd_mariner]

For the past 2 or 3 weeks I've noticed that my alk was really low. Around 5.9dkh when I measured it. I ordered a Kent dkh buffer and started adding that to the tank. I've been adding the buffer off and on for the past couple weeks. I noticed that it was having a hard time buffering past a certain point, around 6 dkh. I didn't have a magnesium test (which I read could be tied to the alk), so I stopped the dkh buffer and ordered the test. Magnesium was at about 1200, so I've been raising that a little. The past 3 days magneisum has gone up to 1230 and the alk is up to 6.2 dkh at the moment, after 3 days of adding this. The last two days have seen no new results with the alk.

Other params are as follows (last full test on sunday):
ph around 8.2
calcium 420
SG 1.025-1.026
ammonia - 0
nitrite - 0
nitrate - 0

Im also using oceanic salt which tested at 8dkh.

Any ideas on how to get this up? Or why its so low to begin with?

 

[KAiNE]

I don't know what your normal usage is but I dose 3-4 gallons of lime water a day along with about 150ml (each) of 2 part. I slow drip the Alk part using an IV dripper superglued to a funnel.

If i didn't dose anything daily, my ALk would be low too.

 

[cee]

I'd try dosing it to increase the Alk. 1 dkH according to the calculator found here:

http://home.comcast.net/~jdieck1/chem_calc3.html

After about an hour, remeasure the Alk. If you don't see the change and your Mg is OK, I'd suspect your test kit is bad or it is precipitating out somehow. Good luck.

Dave

 

[fishdoc11]

Like Kaine stated alk will drop with no supplimentation. The best thing to bring alk up is baking soda....but do it slowly. What size tank is it?

Chris

 

[foggy54]

Hey Chris,
How you been?

 

[fishdoc11]

Fine John...how you been?

 

[gflat65]

I have constant issues with keeping my Alk up. I can't keep it over 8 unless I dose every other day (three heaping tablespoons of the Alk and Calcium on alternating days in the 125-sps, and three level tablespoons of each on alternating days for the 120-LPS and zoas). You just have to figure out the dosage needed for your load and stick to it...

 

[ocd_mariner]

Gotcha. I wasn't aware alk would drop like that without supplementation. Thanks a lot.