Trouble Keeping my Alk Level Stable

[lapin]

Just measured my magnesium and it came out at 1500 with the Red Sea Pro test

That is fine, about what mine is.

As for dosing If your tank is pretty new then I would suggest maybe changing the water more often to replenish things rather than dosing.

 

[LuisPerez711]

Ok

That makes sense... I'm not sure if I can find it here in Bangkok though...are there other brands with comparable product you're aware of?

If you cannot source AFR, or it becomes too expensive to ship, you can always try Randy's two part. It's a simple and inexpensive way to dose Ca, Alk, and Mg with ingredients that are available world wide. Just read it carefully, take it slow, and if you dont understand, ask all the questions you need to ask. I highly doubt you need a lot of chemicals since your tank is new but I would keep this in mind as your tank matures.

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-02/rhf/index.php

 

[livinlifeinBKK]

That is fine, about what mine is.

As for dosing If your tank is pretty new then I would suggest maybe changing the water more often to replenish things rather than dosing.

How often? I do about 15% every 1-2 weeks right now.

 

[livinlifeinBKK]

If you cannot source AFR, or it becomes too expensive to ship, you can always try Randy's two part. It's a simple and inexpensive way to dose Ca, Alk, and Mg with ingredients that are available world wide. Just read it carefully, take it slow, and if you dont understand, ask all the questions you need to ask. I highly doubt you need a lot of chemicals since your tank is new but I would keep this in mind as your tank matures.

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-02/rhf/index.php

Thanks for the alternative! Before I start dosing, I feel like it might be a good idea to change the water weekly and see if it stabilizes itself that way.

 

[brmreefer]

If you cannot source AFR, or it becomes too expensive to ship, you can always try Randy's two part. It's a simple and inexpensive way to dose Ca, Alk, and Mg with ingredients that are available world wide. Just read it carefully, take it slow, and if you dont understand, ask all the questions you need to ask. I highly doubt you need a lot of chemicals since your tank is new but I would keep this in mind as your tank matures.

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-02/rhf/index.php

This is a good option. Been using Randy's recipe for a long time now, and even transitioned to his newer "Higher pH" recipe for a while now too. Just go about it smart and carefully and one would do fine.

 

[LuisPerez711]

Thanks for the alternative! Before I start dosing, I feel like it might be a good idea to change the water weekly and see if it stabilizes itself that way.

That's a great mindset. Slow and steady. Just make sure the levels in the new salt water are the same as the levels in your reef tank. Hope this solves your issue. Happy reefing!

 

[livinlifeinBKK]

That's a great mindset. Slow and steady. Just make sure the levels in the new salt water are the same as the levels in your reef tank. Hope this solves your issue. Happy reefing!

Yeah, I've always used the same salt in this tank...one way or another, I"ll get it straightened out!

 

[attiland]

What salt are you using?

 

[livinlifeinBKK]

What salt are you using?

Red Sea...the blue bucket

 

[attiland]

Red Sea...the blue bucket

My magnesium never mixed that high with the blue bucket

 

[livinlifeinBKK]

My magnesium never mixed that high with the blue bucket

All I know is that that's the salt I've always used for this tank

 

[nat1881]

Hey reefers! My tank is several months old and I used live rock and live sand. I'm not sure why, but I'm having trouble keeping the alk stable as it seems to move a few tenths of a Dkh every couple days or so. I noticed a distinct drop in alkalinity a few weeks ago ( I do have a few sps corals and sun corals but not many since the tank is relatively new) but over the last few weeks it's been steadily rising and is now around 9.2. I know this isn't a terrible level, I'm just kinda new and have heard from many people that stability is key. Should I be doing anything or will it stabilize on its own as it matures?

I do know my alkalinity drop 0.2 every day, otherwise I keep on dosing to stay 7.8-8.5. All my corals looks happy all the time.

 

[livinlifeinBKK]

I do know my alkalinity drop 0.2 every day, otherwise I keep on dosing to stay 7.8-8.5. All my corals looks happy all the time.

Well if you're corals are growing then that would make sense that your alk is dropping a little daily