Low alkalinity, alk drop from 8.4

[Angel_V_the_reefer]

Hello reefers , so I recently noticed my alkalinity dropped a lot. I last tested alkalinity 1 week ago which read 8.4 and as I tested yesterday (I didn’t test Sunday’s how I usually do) I realized my alkalinity dropped. I never miss a water change on my 20 gal nano which startled me. I did add a two head hammer the day before but there’s no way that could’ve changed it. My current alk is at 7.3, maybe it was testing error , not sure. I am using Red Sea test kits for my major trace elements. What do you guys believe could have been at fault ? Should I raise it up ? I only have two hammer corals in my nano

 

[maleshka21]

I would say definitely cz of new corals ? but I' might be wrong. I would doze. I use RS alk supplements start slow thou less recommended dose. If your tank is new i say it's normal. Mine is new and it takes some time to get parameters stable. I do notice it goes down if I add new coral.

 

[Mical]

I'd retest before reacting. All it takes is a minor mistake to throw off test results.

 

[Angel_V_the_reefer]

I would say definitely cz of new corals ? but I' might be wrong. I would doze. I use RS alk supplements start slow thou less recommended dose. If your tank is new i say it's normal. Mine is new and it takes some time to get parameters stable. I do notice it goes down if I add new coral.

Mhm I only have two corals and I barely added one the day before. I’ll give it some time to see if it stabilizes. My corals look very happy and open which is why im not too worried haha

 

[Angel_V_the_reefer]

I'd retest before reacting. All it takes is a minor mistake to throw off test results.

Mhm I agree ! I water change on saturdays on my nano so I’ll retest on Sunday and see how things look. My corals look happy so I’m not worried

 

[maleshka21]

Mhm I only have two corals and I barely added one the day before. I’ll give it some time to see if it stabilizes. My corals look very happy and open which is why im not too worried

Mhm I only have two corals and I barely added one the day before. I’ll give it some time to see if it stabilizes. My corals look very happy and open which is why im not too worried haha

that's great! just keep an eye on it and test again.

 

[Angel_V_the_reefer]

that's great! just keep an eye on it and test again.

Mhm got you on that one !!

 

[maleshka21]

Mhm got you on that one !!

can you expend on Mhm please LOL

 

[Theolox]

I had the same issue. My tank is a month old and my Alk has been 8.0 to 8.3 for all my tests. I put in 3 small zoa frags 2 days ago and I noticed that my alk dropped to 7.5 when I tested today. I am going to watch and see if it recovers. Water change day is tomorrow so that may fix it.