What is a safe alk depletion rate?

[PugsAndFish]

I just got started with a 10 gallon tank with a couple of zoa frags and some small LPS - candy cane, torch, hammer, frogspawn, favia, galaxea. All are just single heads more or less.

I noticed my alk dropping by 0.3 dKH each day. Is this a normal drop and is htis expected? I guess I'm just surprised because I don't think I have that much. I notice my corals not opening as much either. How can I combat this? Do I need to dose something or is this normal?

 

[KrisReef]

If that is what they are consuming, that is what you need to add to keep the level stable and the corals happy. They suck it up when they are growing and happy. It always amazes me how much they take in each day. Hth.

 

[chipmunkofdoom2]

Some tanks can consume up to 2 dKh of carbonate alkalinity per day. So 0.3 dKh is not unusual, especially in a new tank where abiotic precipitation might be occurring more than usual.

If your corals are not opening up as much, it's probably not due to the alkalinity. Soft corals are much less sensitive to alkalinity changes than stony corals. I'd look for other explanations for why they are unhappy.

 

[pdxmonkeyboy]

that seems right. especially when you have such a small volume of water.

everything affects dkh absorption when you have sps corals. change lights... consumption changes, move things around...consumption changes, make them angry.. you get the picture.

good luck!

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I guess I'm just surprised because I don't think I have that much. I notice my corals not opening as much either. How can I combat this? Do I need to dose something or is this normal?

It isn't much demand either, so it is normal.

Just manually add 0.3 dKH of an alk additive (or preferable, calcium and alk two part) once a day.

 

[PugsAndFish]

It isn't much demand either, so it is normal.

Just manually add 0.3 dKH of an alk additive (or preferable, calcium and alk two part) once a day.

Is kalkwasser the best recommended solution?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Is kalkwasser the best recommended solution?

It's a fine solution, but I don't think it is better than a two part.