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- Jan 3, 2019
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Hi guys, any help (education) will be appreciated. I setup a 35 gallon system two and a half months ago. It is fully cycled now and it is inhabited by a couple of crabs and 5 snails, and my intention is to get into SPS eventually, no rush.
I have an ATO that replaces around 4.5 gallons per week, probably a bit more.
I am using Tropic Marine Bio syn biotic.
I have been monitoring my levels and making 10% of water changes weekly. My question is regarding ALK levels. The reading has been decreasing from 7.2 to 6.2 in the last 10 days. As I understand there is nothing within the tank consuming ALK or calcium, so I do not understand why is it decreasing in spite of the WC. Do I still need to spike the top off water/tank directly with a buffer to mantin a ALK of at least 7.0. I know that I currently do not have any organism that requires it, but I would like to have stability in the parameters prior to adding any coral, and most importsnt learn how my tank uses/deplates alk, et al.
The current parameters as follows:
Temp. 77
pH 8.21
Alk 6.2 (Salifert)
Ca 415
Mg 1245
NO3 1.0
PO4 0.0
Let me know if can give any other information.
I have an ATO that replaces around 4.5 gallons per week, probably a bit more.
I am using Tropic Marine Bio syn biotic.
I have been monitoring my levels and making 10% of water changes weekly. My question is regarding ALK levels. The reading has been decreasing from 7.2 to 6.2 in the last 10 days. As I understand there is nothing within the tank consuming ALK or calcium, so I do not understand why is it decreasing in spite of the WC. Do I still need to spike the top off water/tank directly with a buffer to mantin a ALK of at least 7.0. I know that I currently do not have any organism that requires it, but I would like to have stability in the parameters prior to adding any coral, and most importsnt learn how my tank uses/deplates alk, et al.
The current parameters as follows:
Temp. 77
pH 8.21
Alk 6.2 (Salifert)
Ca 415
Mg 1245
NO3 1.0
PO4 0.0
Let me know if can give any other information.