Alkalinity is 5,0 DKH, but corals & other parameters are good?

[FireWorm123]

Could it be my coraline algae, which is basically everywhere in the tank, that is consuming all my dkh ?

 

[twentyleagues]

Could it be my coraline algae, which is basically everywhere in the tank, that is consuming all my dkh ?

So its 6.0 or 6.5 in a fresh batch before it hits your tank?
And yes it could be the coaraline sucking it up if it tests higher in a fresh mix. if not and your fresh mix is 6.0 or 6.5 then its not there in the first place. Again what is the fresh mix? at what salinity are you mixing it?

 

[FireWorm123]

So its 6.0 or 6.5 in a fresh batch before it hits your tank?
And yes it could be the coaraline sucking it up if it tests higher in a fresh mix. if not and your fresh mix is 6.0 or 6.5 then its not there in the first place. Again what is the fresh mix? at what salinity are you mixing it?

Half cup of the purple salt, and then the rest is the Blue salt. I Go for 1.025 SG

 

[twentyleagues]

Half cup of the purple salt, and then the rest is the Blue salt. I Go for 1.025 SG

and what does your test result say for alk on the fresh mix? before its in your tank?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Could it be my coraline algae, which is basically everywhere in the tank, that is consuming all my dkh ?

Yes, coralline can be a big user. A soft coral tank with good coralline can use 2 dKH per day.

 

[skiergd011013]

The alkalinity in 35 ppt seawater is only about 6.5 dKH, matching your red sea test, and in many places, the salinity is a bit below 35 ppt, so it's not surprising that corals can be fine in the 6-7 dKH range. .

I just got some new Hanna checkers, and my CA is 585, MG is 1295, and ALK is 6 to 6.1. Its a 20 gallon with mixed corals and a few sps. I use reef crystals and change about 20% a week. Corals look good, and i have some dots of coralline appearing on the glass (tank has been set up nearly two months. It is a carry over from my old tank, which i replaced all the rock and the tank itself due to a GSP infestation). Do i need to be dosing and chasing an ALK number right now, if everything looks good in the tank? I have a brand new bottle of All for reef, but dont suspect i should be dosing right now.

Also, i wouldnt be surprised if these tests are horribly wrong. I just read that reef crystals mixes to about 490 for calcium. So, without dosing, how would mine be 585? Maybe i should just use the eyeball and regular waterchange method and put the hannas away.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

I just got some new Hanna checkers, and my CA is 585, MG is 1295, and ALK is 6 to 6.1. Its a 20 gallon with mixed corals and a few sps. I use reef crystals and change about 20% a week. Corals look good, and i have some dots of coralline appearing on the glass (tank has been set up nearly two months. It is a carry over from my old tank, which i replaced all the rock and the tank itself due to a GSP infestation). Do i need to be dosing and chasing an ALK number right now, if everything looks good in the tank? I have a brand new bottle of All for reef, but dont suspect i should be dosing right now.

Also, i wouldnt be surprised if these tests are horribly wrong. I just read that reef crystals mixes to about 490 for calcium. So, without dosing, how would mine be 585? Maybe i should just use the eyeball and regular waterchange method and put the hannas away.

I'm not a fan of the accuracy of the Hanna calcium checker. I would not worry about it. You can try it on soem new salt water if you think that helpful.

I'd raise the alk to 7 dKH with baking soda for now. Spread that over a few days.

 

[skiergd011013]

I'm not a fan of the accuracy of the Hanna calcium checker. I would not worry about it. You can try it on soem new salt water if you think that helpful.

I'd raise the alk to 7 dKH with baking soda for now. Spread that over a few days.

Thanks randy. I used the BRS calculator, and its a very small dose for my 20 gallon. It is calling for 2 grams. Is regular arm and hammer good? Also, can i experiment with adding it to my ATO 5 gallon reservoir, so it regularly pumps in tiny amounts? Id test every few days to see what its doing.

 

[BryanM]

I'll add that alk stability is what's really key. People run anywhere from 7-12, but you want to get it stable.

I believe this enough that I purchased an automated tester/doser to keep alk stable. (because I find routine tasks very chore-ish, and for *me* they take away enjoying the tank).

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Thanks randy. I used the BRS calculator, and its a very small dose for my 20 gallon. It is calling for 2 grams. Is regular arm and hammer good? Also, can i experiment with adding it to my ATO 5 gallon reservoir, so it regularly pumps in tiny amounts? Id test every few days to see what its doing.

Yes, putting it into the ATO is good, as is Arm and Hammer.

Yes, 2 grams looks good.

Here's a calculator of more general utility:

Reef Chemistry Calculator

 

[skiergd011013]

I'll add that alk stability is what's really key. People run anywhere from 7-12, but you want to get it stable.

I believe this enough that I purchased an automated tester/doser to keep alk stable. (because I find routine tasks very chore-ish, and for *me* they take away enjoying the tank).

I retested with my salifert kit, and that was 6-6.1 as well. Im still reluctant to dose baking soda. I have never had coralline appear on glass in less than two months, as it has in this case. Thats kinda telling me to leave it alone.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

I retested with my salifert kit, and that was 6-6.1 as well. Im still reluctant to dose baking soda. I have never had coralline appear on glass in less than two months, as it has in this case. Thats kinda telling me to leave it alone.

Well, 6 dKH is not saying to leave it alone. No reef tank that I’ve ever heard of is intentionally that low.

 

[skiergd011013]

Well, 6 dKH is not saying to leave it alone. No reef tank that I’ve ever heard of is intentionally that low.

Ok, i have baking soda, i just mixed up 2 grams of it into about 3 cups of rodi. I just dumped 1/3rd of it into the tank, will dump another 3rd of it in tomorrow morning, and another 3rd tomorrow evening. How would i estimate the baking soda dose to put into my 5 gallon bucket ato reservoir?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Ok, i have baking soda, i just mixed up 2 grams of it into about 3 cups of rodi. I just dumped 1/3rd of it into the tank, will dump another 3rd of it in tomorrow morning, and another 3rd tomorrow evening. How would i estimate the baking soda dose to put into my 5 gallon bucket ato reservoir?

Decide the dose you want to add each day, determine how much water the ATO delivers per day, and then mix it in at that ratio.