Alk keeps rising

[Mr.Guy83]

Hello all I’m trying to figure out what is causing my alk and cal for that matter to keep rising. I’m not dosing any two part, only doing weekly water changes with TM pro reef which mixes at 7.7 using my test kit. Any help or advice would happen. I’m dosing neo nitro to keep my nitrate between 5-10. It’s an sps reef.

 

[blaxsun]

Are you by chance using the Trident calibration fluid? Aside from the Trident, do you do any manual testing, ie: Salifert, Hanna,,etc.?

 

[Mr.Guy83]

I do calibrate with each new box of trident. I use red sea test kit and they read high as well

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Ae you dosing anything at all?

Is salinity stable?

When demand is very low, slow sand dissolution can raise alk and calcium.

 

[Mr.Guy83]

Ae you dosing anything at all?

Is salinity stable?

When demand is very low, slow sand dissolution can raise alk and calcium.

I’m dosing 1.4 daily of acro power, neo nitro for nitrate increase when needed.salinity is stable, I have 10sps corals 6 are roughly 3in+, 4 are 1in frags

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Ah, nitrate dosing boosts alk. It adds 2.3 dKH for each 50 ppm of nitrate added and consumed.

 

[Mr.Guy83]

Ah, nitrate dosing boosts alk. It adds 2.3 dKH for each 50 ppm of nitrate added and consumed.

Thanks so much, I’ll cut back with the dosing and feed more.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Thanks so much, I’ll cut back with the dosing and feed more.

You could dose ammonia, or nitrate plus and acid (not vinegar) if you want.

 

[Mr.Guy83]

You could dose ammonia, or nitrate plus and acid (not vinegar) if you want.

Any brand or type you recommend?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Any brand or type you recommend?

Of an acid? Easiest to use is solid sodium bisulfate (NOT busulfite). Loudwolf from Amazon is good.

Depending on how you dose nitrate, you may be able to mix them. Do not use significant amounts in the tank at once because it drops pH as well as alk.