Low alk fish only

[Talo’s Reef]

I recently got my trident hooked up. My alk is coming in at 5.5. Low calcium as well. I have not calibrated it as of yet nor tested against my Hanna checker. I have two fish in my system and nothing else at this point. It will be a mixed reef. At this point is there any issue raising my alk and calcium quickly or will it adversely affect the fish. Thanks

 

[nereefpat]

I would double check both with your test kit, just to be sure.

How high are you wanting to go, and what are you using to raise alk and Ca?

As long as you aren't making big enough adjustments with chemicals that will drastically affect pH, it will be pretty safe to make changes in alk and Ca in a fish only. Don't go from 5.5 alk to 9 using limewater in one shot, for example.

 

[Talo’s Reef]

I would double check both with your test kit, just to be sure.

How high are you wanting to go, and what are you using to raise alk and Ca?

As long as you aren't making big enough adjustments with chemicals that will drastically affect pH, it will be pretty safe to make changes in alk and Ca in a fish only. Don't go from 5.5 alk to 9 using limewater in one shot, for example.

I’m hoping to run at 9dkh. I have kalk on hand and also two part. What would you think is the maximum change you would make in a day?

 

[nereefpat]

If you have the 2 part, I would dissolve enough of the Alk part in a gallon of water or so, and add it over a couple days. The calcium part, there's no reason you can't add 100 ppm or so in a single shot, dosed at a separate time from the Alk.

 

[Talo’s Reef]

If you have the 2 part, I would dissolve enough of the Alk part in a gallon of water or so, and add it over a couple days. The calcium part, there's no reason you can't add 100 ppm or so in a single shot, dosed at a separate time from the Alk.

Awesome. Thank you

 

[blasterman]

Calcium and alk isn't a big deal in a FO tank because it's consumption without corals is ridiculously slow. However, if you have snails or inverts just ignoring it and letting it get way low isn't a good idea. Then again water changes in a FO tank should easily handle calcium and mag. Alk, as usual will tend to dive even without corals in a young tank...even without corals. That's typically the market for reef crystals.

 

[TheDragonsReef]

If you have no coral id be very surprised if you alk was actually that low. I wouldnt worry until after you calibrate. Checking with the hanna first wouldnt hurt either

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

In a fish only tank, alkalinity declines by production and accumulation of nitrate, and potentially by abiotic precipitation of calcium carbonate.

A rise of 50 ppm in nitrate will drop alkalinity by 4.5 dKH. Sodium bicarbonate (baking soda)or sodium carbonate can easily be dosed to offset that drop.