very low Alk

[toadfarm]

My alk has been very low the past week, 6. Why? Should I panic?

 

[plexx]

6 is very low , are you dosing? what kind and how many corals in the tank. Also what is the mag. and calcium numbers?

 

[Reefer40b]

I dont consider 6 very low... 5's yes. but some people run full blown SPS systems that low. I say raise it slowly back to high 6's, more importantly how does everything look?

Are you dosing? water change? how do you manage your alk? what type of corals are you keeping?

 

[toadfarm]

6 is very low , are you dosing? what kind and how many corals in the tank. Also what is the mag. and calcium numbers?

Mag 1400
Ca 420
I dose Kent essential and coral vite
6 Lps, 1 sps and 7 softies

 

[toadfarm]

Mag 1400
Ca 420
I dose Kent essential and coral vite
6 Lps, 1 sps and 7 softies

All seem happy. Coral growth isn't off the charts, but it's present

 

[toadfarm]

All seem happy. Coral growth isn't off the charts, but it's present

I do 10% change every 2 weeks. I'm fairly new so I'm not sure how to "manage" my alk

 

[lapin]

What is the test kit and how long have you been testing alk?
Have you obtained a second test (LFS)?

 

[motortrendz]

Are you dosing 2 part? And as state above double check your test kit before making and big changes.

 

[toadfarm]

Are you dosing 2 part? And as state above double check your test kit before making and big changes.

Kit is Red Sea. It's 2 months old.
I do dose both.
This is helpful. I didn't want to push the panic button until getting solid advice

 

[toadfarm]

Are you dosing 2 part? And as state above double check your test kit before making and big changes.

Kit is Red Sea. It's 2 months old.
I do dose both.
This is helpful. I didn't want to push the panic button until getting solid advice

 

[motortrendz]

Kit is Red Sea. It's 2 months old.
I do dose both.
This is helpful. I didn't want to push the panic button until getting solid advice

Get it double checked, bring a sample to LFS and see where your at, if its still low do a water change which will help raise it back up a bit. Then your gonna have to start testing daily while you slowly raise up your alk by dosing a larger amount than you currently are. But go slow

 

[toadfarm]

Thanks
To the LFS we go