Alk Issues in a Pico

[reeflover]

Hi everyone!

I have had a Fluval Spec III set up now for about 5 months. Ever since the beginning of this tank, I have been having a lot of issues maintaining my alk. So much so, that I would do a water change and the water would test around 7. The next day, I would test and it would be around 4 or 5. I have some corals in there right now--2 acans, 7 zoa frags, a couple mushrooms, a toadstool, and 2 rock flower anemones (did not plan on adding these, they came in an order mixup). I have had larger tanks in the past with a lot more corals and have never had this large of a drop in my KH over a single day. Granted, I know this is a much smaller water volume but is that large of a drop normal?

I have begun to dose with baking soda (slowly bringing the KH up every day until it is back to normal) but the alk drops right back to where it was within a day or so. My question is, should I expect to be having to dose this much forever or is it just a new tank thing? I am not getting ANY coraline growth, so I am not sure where the alk is going.

Thanks in advance!

 

[andrewkw]

Time for a new test kit. There is no way with what you have in the tank alkalinity is being consumed that fast. I'd do a 100% water chance and get a new alkalinity test kit. I experimented a little bit with dosing tiny amounts in my old pico tank but weekly 100% water changes or close to 100% were more then enough for a 2 gallon tank packed with corals. Most sps did not do great in my tiny mixed reef but I had chalices encrusting to acrylic so calcium and alkalinity were certainly getting used. My pico ran for about 7 years until I took it down in preparation for a move.

 

[TJ's Reef]

Maybe a bit more info and a photo or two would help us help you better. It is unusual that the Alkalinity levels are dropping off so quickly so hopefully we can help you find the sink source.

 

[lewisriverfisherman]

Just so we are all clear...Are you adjusting your water change water parameters to match your tank water parameters? I have a 20gal nuvo myself and I have found that if I'm not matching parameters they will swing wildly.

 

[reeflover]

Thanks for the help! Just a little more info on it. It’s a Fluval Spec III tank. It has about 2 lbs of LR and about 2 lbs of live sand. I’m running the 3.1 ounce bag of Chemi-pure Mini Elite. I have replaced the stock return with a Hydor Pico 200 (the return nozzle greatly decreases the output). I also added a Hydor Pico 160 (had it laying around) to add some more flow because I was noticing a lot of detritus build up on the sand and rocks. The flow has been dialed down quite a bit from it, so nothing is getting blasted. I listed the corals above, but I also have an emerald crab, 2 hermit crabs, and 2 banded trochus snails.

Most recent tests:
pH: 7.8
Ammonia: 0
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: <20
Alk: 5.4
Ca: 390
Salinity: 1.025

I have a magnesium test kit and supplement coming in the mail along with a new alk test kit.

I am adjusting salinity and temp so that my water change and tank water match, but haven’t considered matching alkalinity or anything else. I will make sure I do that from now on. Here are some recent tank photos!

 

[lewisriverfisherman]

I know testing is a pain in the butt, but with these small tanks a little goes a long way so to say. I'm doing a water change tonite and have had to do 8 water tests just to change my water.
My tank parameters
Alk 9.6
Cal 440
Mag 1350

Water change water
Alk 8.6
Cal 400
Mag 1310

So as you can see I have to dose my water change water to match my tank. Hope this help as stability is one of the many keys to this hobby.

 

[Ranjib]

Can I ask why you are chasing alk?
I am not saying this is not beneficial, but the tank is new, its a pico and you dont have any SPS or anything that will do terrible under low alk.
If I was you, i'll just wait for months till the tank matures then slowly perfect the alk level, that too only if I am planning to keep sps. Initially the coralline growth and few other factors will impact Ca/Mg/Alk level rapidly.

If you do intend to fix the alk level still, you should setup two part dosing regiment.

I love fluval spec 3, heres mine one

 

[Michael Llabona]

First get a new alk tester. I recommend the Hannah checker. Well worth it. Check tank water and new salt water to make sure the problem is not the salt. Also for a tank that small you don't have to dose as long as you are doing weekly sizeable water changes and assuming you have a quality salt. Your corals don't absorbed that much. Also, make sure you are mixing your saltwater for a decent amount of time 30min-1hr before a water change.