Hi everyone,
I have a 280G tank with a 40G sump. Established ~7 months ago. Low/Medium level of stocking (all LPS and a few nems) and 2-3 "test" SPS (montipora, birdsnest). I've never been able to get my Alk above 9 for an extended period of time. I started slow, dosing 100ml Alk/Calc daily. Watch careful for precipitation, and keep Mag above 1350. All fine, with Alk around 7 and Calc around 420. All fine so increased to 200ml Alk/Calc. Continued to monitor Mag. Immediately after dosing, I see Alk up by around 1dkh, but then back down again 12hrs later. So I increased to 300ml Alk/Calc -- same thing? Can't get Alk to stay above 9. Mag and Calc are both fine.
So, the only thing I can think of is that my tank is using 2-3dKh / day. But that's a LOT especially for a Low/Medium stocked tank (6 large LPS, 10-12 heads each) and 2 Nems. Also, Coraline growth has been slow. Maybe that's what's taking up the Alk?
When I manual add 1.5 tbsp of Alk, I see the Alk jump by 1dKh. So, I guess that means it's NOT precipitating out? In this way, I can temporarily get it into the 9 range, but then it drops within 12 hrs.
I'm using a Neptune Doser and I dose the Alk and Calc (alternating) between midnight and 9am in 5 different sessions of 30mins / 60ml each with a 30min rest in between Alk and Calc sessions. I'm using BRS Alk, Calc and 2-part Mag mixtures, mixed to their standard specs, with Kent Marine Reef Salt.
I'm ideally looking to get my Alk to stay between 9-10. The tank looks healthy, all corals are open (except one nem which is not happy) -- I was told low Alk affects Nems.
Any ideas? Thanks!
I have a 280G tank with a 40G sump. Established ~7 months ago. Low/Medium level of stocking (all LPS and a few nems) and 2-3 "test" SPS (montipora, birdsnest). I've never been able to get my Alk above 9 for an extended period of time. I started slow, dosing 100ml Alk/Calc daily. Watch careful for precipitation, and keep Mag above 1350. All fine, with Alk around 7 and Calc around 420. All fine so increased to 200ml Alk/Calc. Continued to monitor Mag. Immediately after dosing, I see Alk up by around 1dkh, but then back down again 12hrs later. So I increased to 300ml Alk/Calc -- same thing? Can't get Alk to stay above 9. Mag and Calc are both fine.
So, the only thing I can think of is that my tank is using 2-3dKh / day. But that's a LOT especially for a Low/Medium stocked tank (6 large LPS, 10-12 heads each) and 2 Nems. Also, Coraline growth has been slow. Maybe that's what's taking up the Alk?
When I manual add 1.5 tbsp of Alk, I see the Alk jump by 1dKh. So, I guess that means it's NOT precipitating out? In this way, I can temporarily get it into the 9 range, but then it drops within 12 hrs.
I'm using a Neptune Doser and I dose the Alk and Calc (alternating) between midnight and 9am in 5 different sessions of 30mins / 60ml each with a 30min rest in between Alk and Calc sessions. I'm using BRS Alk, Calc and 2-part Mag mixtures, mixed to their standard specs, with Kent Marine Reef Salt.
I'm ideally looking to get my Alk to stay between 9-10. The tank looks healthy, all corals are open (except one nem which is not happy) -- I was told low Alk affects Nems.
Any ideas? Thanks!
