alkalinity consumpution in new tank

[BayouReefer]

This was a great question about Alk drop while cycling tank. Also a perfect answer by @W1ngz. Perfect example of why this forum works for so many people.

 

[johnj]

This was a great question about Alk drop while cycling tank. Also a perfect answer by @W1ngz. Perfect example of why this forum works for so many people.

yes its the best forum for help bar none! Thanks guys!

 

[W1ngz]

cannot believe that people cycle there tanks in 7 days with doc tims!

Safe for fish when it comes to free ammonia is one thing and what most consider a 'cycle'. The very last step in the full nitrogen cycle is what's missing, and that takes a lot longer. This is why so many new tanks have higher nitrates than tanks that are established for 12-18 months.

Once your ammonia is done, you're ok to add fish (gradually). Keep an eye on the alkalinity, and when that stabilizes, it's coral time!

 

[johnj]

think the saying is nothing good happens fast in a reef tank when would you start my pellet reactor and rowa phos ?

 

[W1ngz]

Not until you get up around 0.2 phosphate, then you'll have enough to be able to adjust the flow through it and aim for somewhere around 0.05-0.1.

 

[W1ngz]

This was a great question about Alk drop while cycling tank. Also a perfect answer by @W1ngz. Perfect example of why this forum works for so many people.

Thanks. Really though all most of us on here do is stand on the shoulders of people like Randy Holmes Farley.

 

[JCOLE]

One thing I took from this is that you are doing great so far with testing. Down the road when you start adding corals then you will have great success by testing and being in tune with your tank. Keep it up!!

 

[johnj]

One thing I took from this is that you are doing great so far with testing. Down the road when you start adding corals then you will have great success by testing and being in tune with your tank. Keep it up!!

thanks my friend" don't wont to be a lazy reefer

 

[warlocktitan]

Alkalinity is a major chemical requirement for nitrification.
Alkalinity is often used as an indicator of biological activity.
Alkalinity is lost in an activated sludge process during nitrification. During nitrification, 7.14 mg of alkalinity as CaCO3 is destroyed for every milligram of ammonium ions oxidized. Lack of carbonate alkalinity will stop nitrification.

 

[jurgenph]

This is very common although I don't know the the mechanics to its but the entire nitrogen cycle process down to nitrates - all those bacteria consume carbonate alkalinity. I'm sure in one of many articles you can find the mechanics to how it works

This!

J.

 

[Rich Klein]

my tank is 24 days into cycle using doc tims one and only and ammonia " Still got nitrite at around 0.3-0.6 and 25 nitrate"

but wy does my tank consume alkalinity with no coral/fish ? it went down as low as 5.6 dkh so added 143ml 10 days ago to bump upto 7.3 dkh " I added another 44ml of red sea foundations B alkalinity last night whot calculator said would get me upto 8.2 dkh" After checking 30 minutes after dosing" it only went up to 7.6 dkh
But did 2 Hannah checks today and alkalinity has gone down to 6.9 dkh ?

whots going on with tank!

When my tank was new I got precipitation that clumped the sand into cement like chunks. The issue went away and I eventually replaced all of my substrate. Not sure what caused it, but a whole lot of stuff went on for the 1st year, and none of it was pretty ;-).

 

[johnj]

When my tank was new I got precipitation that clumped the sand into cement like chunks. The issue went away and I eventually replaced all of my substrate. Not sure what caused it, but a whole lot of stuff went on for the 1st year, and none of it was pretty ;-).

just part of a new reef and a new reef keeper like myself worrying for nothing then! probably wy most new marine fish keepers jack in the 1st year!

 

[BeejReef]

Agree w Rich Klein

dosing alkalinity in an unstable enviroment is an art. I can finally draw stick figures.
When trying to correct alkalinity and calcium when you really have no idea where it is, or where it's headed, you're near as likely to over saturate it as correct it. Then you get the precipitation (hidden or obvious) that Rich referenced. The white crystals suck up alkalinity and calcium even faster and make themselves bigger, and you end up chasing your tail and can never dose enough.

Great record keeping, great testing regiment. You'll go far. Unless I see a shocking swing (and have livestock at risk) I've stopped correcting based on daily readings. The tank has to show me an increase or decrease over a two, or preferably, three day period.

What's nice about that is that you can average your apparent daily demand and make a better guess. Also, you have a better chance of seeing a corresponding drop in calcium (if there is one). Then, it's easier to decide if you are just losing alkalinity, or if you're consuming both and it's just that a one-day swing is within the test's margin for error.

If you continue to dose, make sure you're putting it in slowly and in the highest flow you can get, like into a powerhead.