Dkh staying low in 2 month tank

[PirateMonkeyReefer]

I feel like this question pops up but I’m having a tough time getting my alk up. No clue why it’s going down.

No visible precipitation on pumps, heaters, or visible at the bottom of the sump or tank. No significant growth of calcium consuming algae or animals. Not feeding a ton and nitrates hover at or slightly above 10

I’ll dose some soda ash or baking soda (bicarbonate was finally back in stock on BRS so that’s on its way) and I’ll get the level up to 7.5-8 and then over a day or two it will drop back to 7... should I just dose 1 dkh a day and let it get to 9 and see what happens? Or should I just give it time? Help me R2R

Current levels
ALK 7-7.5
Calcium 470
Magnesium 1450
PH 8.2
Nitrates 10

The tanks about 2 months old and I know I may be hunting this to early but I just want to understand what’s going on as I’m hitting a wall with research on my own.

 

[lapin]

Could be something is growing on the rock or in the sand thats using it up. Too small to be seen yet. Coralline?

 

[PirateMonkeyReefer]

Could be something is growing on the rock or in the sand thats using it up. Too small to be seen yet. Coralline?

No coraline algae yet! I’ve been scrapping at the bits of it on the drags and snails to try seeding it but nothing yet!

 

[lapin]

Not that you can see.

 

[Albertan22]

I believe some part of the nitrogen cycle consumes alkalinity, don’t ask me for reference literature on that though.

 

[lapin]

I believe some part of the nitrogen cycle consumes alkalinity, don’t ask me for reference literature on that though.

I think Randy said something bout that too

 

[PirateMonkeyReefer]

I thought It was something to do with ammonia converting to nitrite. I know that it must still be happening but with 0 ammonia and nitrites for over a month and a half would it still be so significant?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Rising nitrate levels depletes alkalinity. Are you measuring nitrate?

Snails use alkalinity. People often ignore the poor fellows as a sink for calcium and alkalinity. lol

You also may not see deposition of calcium carboante on sand and rock.

In any case, the drop (0.5-1 dKH per day) is not particularly high and I'd just maintain it and calcium.

 

[PirateMonkeyReefer]

Rising nitrate levels depletes alkalinity. Are you measuring nitrate?

Snails use alkalinity. People often ignore the poor fellows as a sink for calcium and alkalinity. lol

You also may not see deposition of calcium carboante on sand and rock.

In any case, the drop (0.5-1 dKH per day) is not particularly high and I'd just maintain it and calcium.

Thanks for the response! I have been measuring nitrates and they’ve been sitting at 10 for the last 3 weeks.

I’ve only got around 9 snails total in the tank 3 Mexican turbo, 3 Astraea, and 3 Nassarius

As for the precipitation I’ve got bare bottom sections of the tank and there’s none in the sump.

Not either way maintaining it is just the best idea for now? If the calcium is high enough I should only need to add the alk solution right?
Thanks for helping a new hobbiest!

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I would not let the alk drift below 7 dKH, and would dose to maintain that level.

 

[PirateMonkeyReefer]

Can do that! Thanks again!

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

You're welcome.

Keep us updated!

 

[PirateMonkeyReefer]

So I tested again today after dosing higher for 2 days to get to 8.5 DKH and then finished the week dosing 40 ml of the baking soda alk solution from the DIY 2 part daily for 5 days. No calcium was dosed as it had stayed steady the last two weeks prior. This week Calcium was consumed through and dropped.

Heres the changes
(tests taken with Red Sea)
Alk prior week 7 DKH - Now 7 DKH
Calcium prior week 470 ppm - Now 350
Magnesium Prior week 1450 - Now 1400
Nitrated Prior week 10 - Now 10

So I'm a little mystified that Alk and Calcium are either being consumed or are precipitating. But I'm not seeing any precipitation in the glass bottom parts of the display or in the bare bottom sump. I'm still not seeing any Coraline algae on the rock or glass but the little bits on the frag plugs and the snail shells are looking healthy and not bleaching.