Alkalinity question

[Roloilly]

I set up a new tank that will be a mix reef. My alkalinity has been in the range of 8-8.5 dkh reading from the Apex Trident. I was told to try to keep DKH at a level of 9. It seems that if I dose and raise my levels to 9 the next day they're back down to 8.5. If I don't dose anything they pretty much stay at 8.5. Should i be seeking the numbers or just let it stay at 8.5? Right now I don't have and corals in the tank.

 

[DE FISH]

I’d just let it stay stable at 8.5

 

[14 foot reef]

With nothing in the tank I wouldn't be trying to achieve the higher number. And most reefers would tell you that your 8.5 is about right where you want, some shoot for even lower at the range of natural sea water which is approximatley 6.5 ( Corrected ) thanks

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

who told you that 9 is the target number and why?
8.5 is perfectly acceptable

 

[Roloilly]

who told you that 9 is the target number and why?
8.5 is perfectly acceptable

I was seeing You tube video from Bulk Reef Supply where the recommended 9 DKH

 

[Dburr1014]

I like mine at 8, but it has gone up to 9 in the past.
Don't chase. BRS is not right about everything. Everyone has opinions. Just like everyone has a but and everyone thinks everyone else's stinks.

 

[Reeferbadness]

I keep both my display tanks at around 9.0 dKH - that way if one of the dosing lines either runs out or get's clogged and i don't test for 2 or 3 days, it won't dip below 7 or so. My $0.02

 

[X-37B]

With nothing in the tank I wouldn't be trying to achieve the higher number. And most reefers would tell you that your 8.5 is about right where you want, some shoot for even lower at the range of natural sea water which is approximatley 7.5

NSW has an average alk of 6.5 for reference. I keep all my tanks at 7.
For OP you should know what alk to run before setting up your system. You will get many different opinions on this so?

 

[Roloilly]

I keep both my display tanks at around 9.0 dKH - that way if one of the dosing lines either runs out or get's clogged and i don't test for 2 or 3 days, it won't dip below 7 or so. My $0.02

What I don't understand is I have no corals so no consumption. If I leave it alone it stay pretty much stable if I dose to get it too 9 then it drops overnight back down. So I'm confused is usage based on consumption or does it just precipitate out. My calcium stay pretty much at 430 without much movement hence no corals bit why does the alkalinity do this.

 

[Dburr1014]

What I don't understand is I have no corals so no consumption. If I leave it alone it stay pretty much stable if I dose to get it too 9 then it drops overnight back down. So I'm confused is usage based on consumption or does it just precipitate out. My calcium stay pretty much at 430 without much movement hence no corals bit why does the alkalinity do this.

Alk gets used by corals, you really have no reason to dose.

 

[Roloilly]

Alk gets used by corals, you really have no reason to dose.

So why does it keep dropping when I dose to get it to 9

 

[CoralB]

Stabile @ 8.5 is fine .

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

So why does it keep dropping when I dose to get it to 9

Rising nitrate? Other consuming organisms? Abiotic precipitation of calcium carbonate?

Could be any or all of those.

your alk drop is too small to see the calcium drop that might accompany it.

 

[X-37B]

Stabile @ 8.5 is fine .

Exactly stability is the name of the game!