What is sucking up Alk?

[Emma01]

Hi all.
Wondering if someone can help answer my question?...
What is sucking up/consuming my Alkalinity on a daily basis? I only have x1 acan and softie Kenya tree and mushrooms. Livestock -x1clown x1shrimp. No Corraline algae
I do the test on the same time each day and use the Hanna Checker. I don’t dose and I use DDO H20 salt mix. SG-1025. Calcium is all over the place too (Hanna checker)
I’d love to keep SPS, but if I can’t stabilise KH, there’s not much hope for me I guess.
My KH levels daily......
Day 1 -8.3 (WC day)
Day2- 8.1
Day 3 - 7.9
Day 4- 7.8
Day 5- 7.6

Thanks all.
Emma

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Those numbers are well within test error parameters and wc makes sense too.

Completely normal and ime , just fine.

I would go buy some easy sps and not chase the numbers so hard.

 

[Emma01]

Those numbers are well within test error parameters and wc makes sense too.

Completely normal and ime , just fine.

I would go buy some easy sps and not chase the numbers so hard.

Hi.
What SPS would be good for staring out? At what stage would I need to start dosing, ir should that not be the case with good salt and water changes?
Thanks

 

[RobZilla04]

Does the rock show signs of purpling in color? You have something beginning to utilize the major elements, my bet would be coralline. Keep a monitor on it. Most those results are in the range of the test kits, but trending downward indicates to me there is usage.

Birdsnests are about the easiest of the SPS to dabble in for starters.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Hi.
What SPS would be good for staring out? At what stage would I need to start dosing, ir should that not be the case with good salt and water changes?
Thanks

Any sps that is $5
Stylo birds nests etc.
once you hit more than a true 1-1.5 dkh depletion. Or in my case as I only test weekly (somtimes) about 4 dkh per week.

My tank was actually pretty loaded before Instarted auto dosing.

 

[Emma01]

Does the rock show signs of purpling in color? You have something beginning to utilize the major elements, my bet would be coralline. Keep a monitor on it. Most those results are in the range of the test kits, but trending downward indicates to me there is usage.

Birdsnests are about the easiest of the SPS to dabble in for starters.

No sign of any corralline. The tank has been set up for approx 3 years, I’ve never had any corraline grow.
I know that SPS require a fair amount of flow. My tank is a 30litre nano cube. With standard filtration 430L/hr pump. Will this be sufficient you think? I did used to have a wavemaker, but even on the lowest setting..... water was going everywhere and my clowns didn’t take too well to it

 

[Emma01]

Any sps that is $5
Stylo birds nests etc.
once you hit more than a true 1-1.5 dkh depletion. Or in my case as I only test weekly (somtimes) about 4 dkh per week.

My tank was actually pretty loaded before Instarted auto dosing.

Thanks very much

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Thanks very much

You are very welcome

 

[Emma01]

You are very welcome

Something has just clicked!
GFO (chemipure) can that suck up Alk??

 

[rushbattle]

Something has just clicked!
GFO (chemipure) can that suck up Alk??

Yes!

 

[Emma01]

Yes!

Whoops! So if I were to remove the GFO Alk should ‘stabilise’ as such.
I’m using it for nuisance diatoms, and it seems to work

 

[RobZilla04]

No sign of any corralline. The tank has been set up for approx 3 years, I’ve never had any corraline grow.
I know that SPS require a fair amount of flow. My tank is a 30litre nano cube. With standard filtration 430L/hr pump. Will this be sufficient you think? I did used to have a wavemaker, but even on the lowest setting..... water was going everywhere and my clowns didn’t take too well to it

In general SPS do better with higher flow. Based on what you are describing you should be okay to try some of those $5 frags mentioned by others.

 

[Emma01]

In general SPS do better with higher flow. Based on what you are describing you should be okay to try some of those $5 frags mentioned by others.

Ok great thanks. I’ll do that. I’m
Just wary because I’ve had no major growth/new polyps with my Acan in 6 months. About 2 new heads in total. Is that normal

 

[RobZilla04]

Ok great thanks. I’ll do that. I’m
Just wary because I’ve had no major growth/new polyps with my Acan in 6 months. About 2 new heads in total. Is that normal

My acan is a very slow grower as well. I can remember talking with my LFS when I first bought it, he said they do grow slowly.

 

[lapin]

https://www.advancedaquarist.com/2012/2/chemistry

 

[Emma01]

https://www.advancedaquarist.com/2012/2/chemistry

This has made a very interesting read! Thank you very much

 

[Emma01]

My acan is a very slow grower as well. I can remember talking with my LFS when I first bought it, he said they do grow slowly.

Thanks, thought it was just mine!

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Whoops! So if I were to remove the GFO Alk should ‘stabilise’ as such.
I’m using it for nuisance diatoms, and it seems to work

Don’t sweat it.
Honestly

 

[rushbattle]

Thanks, thought it was just mine!

Directly feeding them 3-4 times a week really increases growth, particularly if you have low N and P in the water already.

 

[Bradley Keck]

How is your Ca doing? Are you seeing a similar trend downward with it? I am asking because I have been seeing my alk go down, but my Ca is not. I too use GFO, and now I'm wondering if all this alk drop is due to that. That would explain why my Ca keeps going up but Alk down ( I dose Kalk to try and raise my alk). As far as SPS go, I have been going through some slight swings as well, and I have seen my Montipora grow and thrive as well as birdsnest. You can look at Monti's too. I cannot believe your tank is three years old and has no Coraline! You are very patient!