New to dosing alk.. Need advice

[TJ Merrells]

I have a 5 gallon fluval spec v
I've recently began dosing. Testing daily for almost 2 weeks and I'm using about 0.5 alk a day. I keep mainly lps and soft corals. Hammers, Duncan, frogspawn, acans, zoas etc.

I dose 1.75 ml of brs liquid soda ash new pharma pouch every morning.

When I first started dosing and brought my alk to 8 everything was super open and happy.
Since I've brought it up to 9 and that's where I was wanting to maintain it the corals don't look as happy.

My question is, is dosing 0.5 alk at once everyday too much?

Also considering getting a doser if anybody can recommend a good one. I work away from home 2-4 weeks at a time so need something reliable while I'm away. Thx

 

[Formidableone14]

How much time has passed between 8 and 9 DKH? Albeit a small climb, maybe too quick. Slow and steady will be your best bet. Do you have any test results? I would imagine with a small water volume, stability would be extremely hard to manage for being absent for so long. Im taking a leap here but I would guess phosphate/nitrates may be a factor as well.

 

[nereefpat]

Alk of 8 is closer to seawater than 9, so I would keep it at 8.

0.5 bolus dose is maybe okay, but spread out a few times would be better.

 

[TJ Merrells]

How much time has passed between 8 and 9 DKH? Albeit a small climb, maybe too quick. Slow and steady will be your best bet. Do you have any test results? I would imagine with a small water volume, stability would be extremely hard to manage for being absent for so long. Im taking a leap here but I would guess phosphate/nitrates may be a factor as well.

No phosphates, nitrates 2-5. Ive been home for just over a month due to covid so been on top of stuff but prepping for whenever I go back to work. And originally when I started watching and testing my parameters after a water change on Friday it was 8. By Tuesday it was 6.5.then over the course of a week I brought it from 6.5 up to 9 and been holding there

 

[TJ Merrells]

Alk of 8 is closer to seawater than 9, so I would keep it at 8.

0.5 bolus dose is maybe okay, but spread out a few times would be better.

Yes my concern is dosing 0.5 dkh all at once in a small system is too much