Low Alkalinity in a newer fish only tank?

[BTReef]

Hey guys, was doing some tests today and I noticed that my alkalinity is a little low. I got 5 DKH, I tested 2 different times doing it in the 0.5 & 1 DKH increments using a red sea test kit and got the same results. Any suggestions/ possible culprits? Other parameters, Ammonia-0, Nitrite-0, Nitrate-50, Temp-77.8*F, Salinity- 1.027 SG, PH-7.8. I'm working on correcting the nitrate issue, as well.
Thanks,
Brian

 

[Billdogg]

I don't know that I'd worry about it if it's a fish only tank. They really don't care what the Alk level is. As for the Nitrate - just do a good sized water change or two and it'll be fine. Once again - the fish are way more tolerant of things like that than stony corals are.

 

[BTReef]

Im not planning on keeping it a fish only tank, I probably won't be putting corals in for atleast a month or so. Just was trying to get a method of action on what needs to be done to fix the levels/ prevent in the future.

 

[madweazl]

Hey guys, was doing some tests today and I noticed that my alkalinity is a little low. I got 5 DKH, I tested 2 different times doing it in the 0.5 & 1 DKH increments using a red sea test kit and got the same results. Any suggestions/ possible culprits? Other parameters, Ammonia-0, Nitrite-0, Nitrate-50, Temp-77.8*F, Salinity- 1.027 SG, PH-7.8. I'm working on correcting the nitrate issue, as well.
Thanks,
Brian

Calcareous algae can use quite a bit of alkalinity.

 

[BTReef]

Calcareous algae can use quite a bit of alkalinity.

Not noticing any algae as of now.

 

[BeejReef]

over my head, but denitrification can also consume alkalinity. It's a semi common issue with peeps with tanks in their first few months of life.

 

[DanH86]

I had the same post-cycle, my alk was 6dkh yet my w/c water was 11dkh. In the end I bought a Red Sea supplement and slowly doses up to 9dkh before adding first coral.

 

[BTReef]

I had the same post-cycle, my alk was 6dkh yet my w/c water was 11dkh. In the end I bought a Red Sea supplement and slowly doses up to 9dkh before adding first coral.

Yea i'm hoping to get this under control before I begin to add any corals, Ive heard that topping off can affect the alkalinity of the tank? I do have to top it off roughly every 2-3 days with RO/DI water. Any viability to this claim?

 

[BeejReef]

Topping off doesn't affect your alkalinity in the purest sense. It does affect your salinity. Salinity goes up, all parameters go up.. Salinity goes down, all parameters go down. So, yeah.. after topping up, especially after 2-3 days, your alkalinity, calcium, magnesium would all test lower than they did ten minutes earlier.

An ato is probly the best investment EVER