Why is my tank consuming so much Alk?

[GarrettT]

I started adding corals, specifically acropora, about 3 months ago. I'm beginning to feel like my Alk consumption is higher than systems of similar size. I only have about 16 frags around 1-1.5'' and a clam. So far, I've already maxed out my Kalk delivery of 2 gallons per day (gal per 2 tsp). On top of that, I am having to dose 100ml per day of pure Alk from B-ionic (Ca not included). Is this normal?

 

[Garf]

I started adding corals, specifically acropora, about 3 months ago. I'm beginning to feel like my Alk consumption is higher than systems of similar size. I only have about 16 frags around 1-1.5'' and a clam. So far, I've already maxed out my Kalk delivery of 2 gallons per day (gal per 2 tsp). On top of that, I am having to dose 100ml per day of pure Alk from B-ionic (Ca not included). Is this normal?

Sounds high to me too. You got a tank pic? Is your sand getting clumpy?

 

[GarrettT]

Sounds high to me too. You got a tank pic? Is your sand getting clumpy?

Not since corals have been added. Here's a photo of the frag sizes that I have in the system. Been dealing with Dino's and dosing silicate. Doubt that matters, but thought I would throw it out there.

My sand is getting clumpy. PH ranges from 8.1 to 8.45.

 

[Garf]

Not since corals have been added. Here's a photo of the frag sizes that I have in the system. Been dealing with Dino's and dosing silicate. Doubt that matters, but thought I would throw it out there.

My sand is getting clumpy. PH ranges from 8.1 to 8.45.

Ok, so how are you testing Alk and Calcium and what are the numbers? Are you sure your method of pH monitoring is accurate/calibrated?

 

[T-J]

If your sand is getting clumpy, your calcium is precipitating out.

 

[GarrettT]

Alk 7.6 - Hanna checker
Ca 410 - Salifert
Ph calibrated a month ago, but the Ph reads have stayed consistent.

I do notice a rather large drop in consumption on days where my PH is less than 8.3. Generally, when I have a lot of kids over or grandparent come in town.

 

[GarrettT]

If your sand is getting clumpy, your calcium is precipitating out.

How do you prevent this? Calcium carbonate precipitating right? Meaning Alk and Ca in equal proportions settling outside the water column? Sorry my understanding of this subject is poor.

 

[Lavey29]

How do you prevent this? Calcium carbonate precipitating right? Meaning Alk and Ca in equal proportions settling outside the water column? Sorry my understanding of this subject is poor.

Do you dose alk and cal separately at least 30 or hour apart?

 

[GarrettT]

Do you dose alk and cal separately at least 30 or hour apart?

3 hours minimum

 

[Lavey29]

Interesting when you have people over which means maybe more C02 in the house. I keep an air purifier running next to my tank so there is always clean air blowing in the room. I believe there is some connection with alk and 02 or C02 but I'd have to research it.

 

[Miami Reef]

@Randy Holmes-Farley

 

[nereefpat]

Did I miss it? What's the volume of the tank? What is the alk demand per day?

 

[GarrettT]

Did I miss it? What's the volume of the tank? What is the alk demand per day?

220 total. Would the volume matter if it’s being consumed per day? Using a reef calculator, it seems to be consuming around 2 dKh

 

[nereefpat]

220 total. Would the volume matter if it’s being consumed per day? Using a reef calculator, it seems to be consuming around 2 dKh

For me to play around with a calculator, the 2 gallons of kalk and 100mLs of 2 part don't mean much without knowing the tank volume. The 2 dKH does answer the question too.

2 dKH per day is high, but not unreasonable. Do you have lots of coraline growth?

 

[Screwgunner]

I started my tank and started adding coral. And my alk started dropping i was half teaspoon every day. Then it just stopped using all of a sudden. Then I went though some ugly stages.

 

[GarrettT]

For me to play around with a calculator, the 2 gallons of kalk and 100mLs of 2 part don't mean much without knowing the tank volume. The 2 dKH does answer the question too.

2 dKH per day is high, but not unreasonable. Do you have lots of coraline growth?

Not sure how I missed that. It’s been a long day… lol
No I don’t. Dosing silicate at the moment, so mainly just diatoms with very little coralline algae except on the power heads and rocks.

 

[Garf]

Not sure how I missed that. It’s been a long day… lol
No I don’t. Dosing silicate at the moment, so mainly just diatoms with very little coralline algae except on the power heads and rocks.

This was always gonna be a “what’s your calcium and Alk at? How are you testing? Is your pH test accurate?, type thread.

 

[Dolphins18]

I dose a bit more alk than calcium in my largest system.
Are you trying to keep your alk elevated (above 8)?

 

[GarrettT]

Are you trying to keep your alk elevated (above 8)?

7.5-7.8ish

 

[Dolphins18]

7.5-7.8ish

interesting, those acros definitely are not using that much as little frags. Maybe a lot of coralline on the way, but thats a ton of alk.