why is my alk going down?

[mooputingtong]

My tank is fairly new about 2 months old. i have only 4 frags of new sps, few lps and toadstool a 5 small nano fish. When i tested alk 3 days ago it was 7.5. So i dosed red sea liquid alk 3ml a day for 3 days which should increase alk about .3-.4, but when i tested today it actually went down to 7.2. Im not sure whats causing alk to go down even with dosing every day. im very lost right now.

edit: i used hanna checker alk so it would be pretty accurate.

 

[lapin]

Alk consumption is common in new tanks. As a new tank matures a lot of things grow you really dont see. It could be this.
Also have you tested Calcium? It is related to Alk.

 

[C. Eymann]

My tank is fairly new about 2 months old. i have only 4 frags of new sps, few lps and toadstool a 5 small nano fish. When i tested alk 3 days ago it was 7.5. So i dosed red sea liquid alk 3ml a day for 3 days which should increase alk about .3-.4, but when i tested today it actually went down to 7.2. Im not sure whats causing alk to go down even with dosing every day. im very lost right now.

edit: i used hanna checker alk so it would be pretty accurate.

Hanna checker has a resolution that falls within your readings, you can test the same sample and it will read 7.5, then test againand get 7.2, that is within the tests resolution of accuracy for hanna checkers.

 

[mooputingtong]

Hanna checker has a resolution that falls within your readings, you can test the same sample and it will read 7.5, then test againand get 7.2, that is within the tests resolution of accuracy for hanna checkers.

i got 7.2 from mine and 7.6 from LFS.

 

[mooputingtong]

Alk consumption is common in new tanks. As a new tank matures a lot of things grow you really dont see. It could be this.
Also have you tested Calcium? It is related to Alk.

calcium and mag was in a good range. I dont have a test kit for cal and mag so i will need to test it in local LFS. Hows cal related to alk?

 

[lapin]

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-12/rhf/index.php

Chemistry And The Aquarium: Solving Calcium And Alkalinity Problems

I hope this article proves useful is understanding and dealing with the different types of calcium and alkalinity problems encountered by reef keepers. Once you get calcium and alkalinity under control, you are far along the road to having your tank chemistry optimal for its inhabitants.

reefs.com

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2002-04/rhf/feature/index.php

Nitrification also consumes alkalinity.