How much alk do y’all use?

Waynerock · Jul 3, 2019

I have a fully stocked reefer 170 with SPS, LPS, and a few zoas and after testing everyday for a week at 7:30am my alk drops from 8.8 to 8.2/8.3, so I am dropping .6 dkh daily. My question is that doesthat normal for my size tank with a fully stocked mixed reef? My ca drops Considerably slower maybe 7-10 ppm every two days. I am guessing that my corals Have finally Settled in for the long-haul and I am getting great growth and that’s why my usage has gone up.

EmdeReef · Jul 3, 2019

Waynerock said:
I have a fully stocked reefer 170 with SPS, LPS, and a few zoas and after testing everyday for a week at 7:30am my alk drops from 8.8 to 8.2/8.3, so I am dropping .6 dkh daily. My question is that doesthat normal for my size tank with a fully stocked mixed reef? My ca drops Considerably slower maybe 7-10 ppm every two days. I am guessing that my corals Have finally Settled in for the long-haul and I am getting great growth and that’s why my usage has gone up.

Sounds normal and wouldn’t be unusual if it went up.

Ca consumption is about 20ppm per 2.8dKh so what you’re seeing is likely fine (when accounting for testing errors etc).

Marklugo23 · Jul 3, 2019

I do notice a change in consumption from time to time and make adjustments...that's why I always measure my levels right before a weekly water change to make sure my alk is good...I like to keep alk around 10, nitrates 50-100, phos .1

DangerDave · Jul 3, 2019

Total system of 240g currently. On average, I’m using 100ml of esv 2part and two gallons of kalk daily.

Waynerock · Jul 3, 2019

DangerDave said:
Total system of 240g currently. On average, I’m using 100ml of esv 2part and two gallons of kalk daily.

Ouch! I guess I can’t complain about having to dose 7.3 ml of alk 2 part daily

Waynerock · Jul 3, 2019

Thanks everyone for the input! Love the Communal support

DangerDave · Jul 3, 2019

That’s what this great forum is for!

I think once I get towards the bottom of my current 4gallon buckets of ESV, I’m going to move to a calcium reactor. It will save money in the long run, but the time/effort savings is what I’m looking for here...