Alk NO3 and P04 Are dropping

[Hookster15]

In the past few week's I have noticed that my N03 and P04 are at 0. my alk is dropping every day it is sitting at 6.7 . I dose alk Calcium and magnesium , Mag sitting at 1320 and cal sitting at 430.

So now what do i do? I have turned off all filtration and have not done a water change in months, I feed the corals twice a day and the fish 4 times a day.

the tank is 3 years old now and its my first reef tank , so ya I'm new.

 

[Brew12]

In the past few week's I have noticed that my N03 and P04 are at 0. my alk is dropping every day it is sitting at 6.7 . I dose alk Calcium and magnesium , Mag sitting at 1320 and cal sitting at 430.

So now what do i do? I have turned off all filtration and have not done a water change in months, I feed the corals twice a day and the fish 4 times a day.

the tank is 3 years old now and its my first reef tank , so ya I'm new.

What is the issue? Just low nutrients?

Personally, I don't worry about NO3 and PO4 being too low unless I see signs of hitting a nutrient limitation such as dino's and cyano.

 

[Hookster15]

What is the issue? Just low nutrients?

Personally, I don't worry about NO3 and PO4 being too low unless I see signs of hitting a nutrient limitation such as dino's and cyano.

well it more of the alk dropping evryday, im down to 6.7.

 

[Brew12]

well it more of the alk dropping evryday, im down to 6.7.

Is your Calc dropping also?

If so, just increase the amount you are dosing both.

 

[Hookster15]

Is your Calc dropping also?

If so, just increase the amount you are dosing both.

No the calc is holding just fine.

 

[Dennis Cartier]

well it more of the alk dropping evryday, im down to 6.7.

Are you supplementing Ca and Alk? If not, you may want to consider it. You mentioned that you stopped doing water changes. Depending on the corals you keep, and their demand, you may have been keeping your Ca and Alk inline using basic water changes (this would only apply for very low demand tanks).

Please keep in mind that alk drops much faster than Ca, because there is so much more Ca in the water column. You will never notice the Ca depletion, unlike Alk, where it is very apparent and easy to see. So your Alk will appear to drop and your Ca appears to be stable. In fact they are both dopping, but the Alk drop is easy to observe and the Ca drops by so little that it gets lost in test kit noise.

Dennis

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

It is normal for alk to decline. That calcium is dropping too, but slow enough that you cannot easily see it day to day.

i'd look to maintain alk with a two part (DIY or commercial) and dose equal parts unless calcium is already too high.

I'd look to export less nutrients, feed more, or dose nitrate and phosphate. All can work fine, but zero is not good (assuming your kit is good enough to see low levels accurately)..

 

[Hookster15]

It is normal for alk to decline. That calcium is dropping too, but slow enough that you cannot easily see it day to day.

i'd look to maintain alk with a two part (DIY or commercial) and dose equal parts unless calcium is already too high.

I'd look to export less nutrients, feed more, or dose nitrate and phosphate. All can work fine, but zero is not good (assuming your kit is good enough to see low levels accurately)..

Hanna ppb tester. and thanks for your help.