Alkalinity swings

keithmeseroll · Nov 3, 2023

Hi I've got a dosing question. My calcium consumption is at 0.8ml/per day. My alk doesn't drop for weeks than will drop out of nowhere from 8.9(calcium 410)to 7.8.(calcium 450) than I dose a small amount to bring it back to level and it will hold at about 9 for weeks again. Just wondering if anyone knew the reason? Everything I use is red sea from the tests to dosing supplements

Joe31415 · Nov 3, 2023

What's in the tank? If it's new and doesn't have any corals in it, it's not going to consume much of anything.

Pistondog · Nov 3, 2023

keithmeseroll said:
Hi I've got a dosing question. My calcium consumption is at 0.8ml/per day. My alk doesn't drop for weeks than will drop out of nowhere from 8.9(calcium 410)to 7.8.(calcium 450) than I dose a small amount to bring it back to level and it will hold at about 9 for weeks again. Just wondering if anyone knew the reason? Everything I use is red sea from the tests to dosing supplements

What is alk of your fresh saltwater for changes?

Randy Holmes-Farley · Nov 3, 2023

FWIW, this sounds like a testing issue. Calcium cannot be consumed without alk being consumed.

Both will be impacted by salinity changes as well.

keithmeseroll · Nov 3, 2023

Joe31415 said:
What's in the tank? If it's new and doesn't have any corals in it, it's not going to consume much of anything.

It's got lps mostly. Hammers, frogspawn, acans, leptoseris, favia, and some mushrooms. Been going for 9 months strong. Only lost one frag so far and everything is growing and out. Just trying to keep the parameters stable is all the best I can with manual dosing