Alk issues, still. TIA

[c0mf0rt]

So I checked my alkalinity a few days back and it was 3! I dosed and got that wrong and it jumped to 8 in one day. Thankfully everything is doing fine. Well since then I've been using a web calculator that Randy provided to continue to dose but it just isn't going up. I've dosed enough each of the last two days to raise the alk to 10. I haven't gotten any higher than 8.5 so far. Is there something that would be wrong that would prevent the increase in my alk? I have nearly zippo for SPS so I don't believe it is all being consumed.


.....I'm dosing with Baking Soda

 

[Dolphins18]

What is your magnesium? ALK may be precipitating
If you have low MG dosing alk will do nothing.

 

[c0mf0rt]

Good to know, thank you. I'm embarrassed to say I don't even have a MG test yet. I've only been up for a few months. I do use RPM Salt though which I thought had a high MG level. Very helpful information. I figured there could be something else out of whack. Time to test......

 

[Dolphins18]

Good to know, thank you. I'm embarrassed to say I don't even have a MG test yet. I've only been up for a few months. I do use RPM Salt though which I thought had a high MG level. Very helpful information. I figured there could be something else out of whack. Time to test......

For sure, you want mg around 1300-1400. That level should easily allow you raise alk. If you test and your mg is good, even above 1200, it's probably something else. Also be sure you aren't dosing the alk in a dead zone, a high flow area in the sump would be the best place.

 

[c0mf0rt]

Yeah I'm mixing and dosing into the sump. Gonna get an MG tester. Just checked calcium with my sweet new Hannah test and it's at 464 so that's good. MG next....

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I'd leave it at 8 dKH.

 

[blasterman]

How about giving us an example of what you are dosing?

 

[c0mf0rt]

Hey Randy,

You said leave at 8dkh..... any possibility that my magnesium is at the right level from the salt and keeping my alk where it should be? I'm going to get a test kit anyway but just curious.

Ugh.... just mixed another fresh 5 gal batch and it's measuring 5 alk. Going to reach out to RPM