Alkalinity Question, Some advice?

[GottisEgo]

So lately my Alk has been reading anywhere from 7-8DKH. The other day I did a water change and it read 9DKH, but then I just tested and it's back down to 7DKH. My corals, Torch, Zoas, Frogspawn GSP seem happy and all open.

Now I am testing with API kit but am waiting for the arrival of my Salifert kit's.

What could be a reason why my Alk reads so low?

 

[biggyclops]

hows the skimmer been working? did you just clean it or get a new one?

 

[reefsmurf]

So lately my Alk has been reading anywhere from 7-8DKH. The other day I did a water change and it read 9DKH, but then I just tested and it's back down to 7DKH. My corals, Torch, Zoas, Frogspawn GSP seem happy and all open.

Now I am testing with API kit but am waiting for the arrival of my Salifert kit's.

What could be a reason why my Alk reads so low?

Salifert test kits have been having a bunch of issues of late. Not sure if they've been corrected, so I wouldn't go by it.

My 29g alkalinity is like that too except worse. I guess if you have a small tank and lot of stuff in it, it's easy for alkalinity to vary quite a bit.

 

[delta]

It is possible your water change mix has higher ALK than your tank.
Next time you change your water test the alk before you add it to the tank.

Do you buffer the tank? Two part solution calcium reactor, kalk water, etc?

 

[GottisEgo]

It is possible your water change mix has higher ALK than your tank.
Next time you change your water test the alk before you add it to the tank.

Do you buffer the tank? Two part solution calcium reactor, kalk water, etc?

This is true. I always test my water before adding it to the tank, and it consistantly reads between 8-9 or 9-10DKH. But a day or 2 later it will level off to 7DKH. So just trying to figure out what gives? Not to much of a worry right now as everything seems fine, but I would like to keep things on a normal level, with optimal growth potential.

I do buffer on occassion but trying to figure out a routine. I have recently purchased C-Balance, and havent added it yet. Could it be that my tank is consuming more calcium then I am keeping up with, which is causing the imbalance?

I will be investing in a Calcium Reactor soon, as well as a couple of other stabilizing goodies. I am currently on a 55 gallon right now, but really am investigating in upgrading to a 90 Gallon or bigger.

Also, I am using Reef Crystals as my Salt.

Salinity is at a perfect 1.026 using a refractometer.
Nitrates & Phosphates are at 0 levels.
Have not tested for Mag yet, waiting for that to come in from Salifert as well.
My calicium has been reading in the 300's with API test. But I feel this is off as I have excellent coraline growth, and my Zoas and GSP are starting to show some added polyps/Growth.

Here are some pics:

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[delta]

Sound as if you need to step up your buffering to meet your tanks demand.

I would get some test verification from another local reefer or LFS, then work on getting your parameters in check.

 

[GottisEgo]

I'm still trying to figure how much I should be dosing with Buffer? In teaspoon measure how many would be for a 55 gallon?

 

[alpha0r]

I'm still trying to figure how much I should be dosing with Buffer? In teaspoon measure how many would be for a 55 gallon?

Use this.
Reef Chemistry Calculator

 

[GottisEgo]

Use this.
Reef Chemistry Calculator

You learn something knew everyday.

So after putting in the numbers in the calculater, I noticed I havent been dosing anywhere NEAR the amount that I should have been.

Well I'll start getting to work tonight.