wy is my ALK low

[johnj]

iv just got my 1st tank setup and running and did my 1st tests before I was going to add the doc tims bacteria for the cycle! But did the alk test with my hanna checker and said 5.9 ! so did again just to make sure I had not done something wrong" well it came out 6.0 dkh this time!
iv done on my salifert test kit and said 6.1 dkh

so wy so low? I thought the salt would bump my alk upto 8.0 kh at least?

my salinity is 1.026 and temp at 26c

 

[jgvergo]

Since your set up is new, the All level is dictated by your slat mix (assuming you have not done any dosing of Alk). What mix are you using and what does the manufacturer say the Alk level should be?

 

[motortrendz]

Did you calibrate your refractometer? U sure its 1.026?

 

[johnj]

Did you calibrate your refractometer? U sure its 1.026?

the pen was calibrated from shop" but iv just calibrated it and the new reading is 1.024

 

[johnj]

Since your set up is new, the All level is dictated by your slat mix (assuming you have not done any dosing of Alk). What mix are you using and what does the manufacturer say the Alk level should be?

im using red sea blue bucket and iv not done any dosing yet

 

[johnj]

my ph is 8.1 with milwalkee pen

should I still do my cycle with doc tims or wait and put my alk up 1st

 

[motortrendz]

It should be closer to 8. But maybe the rock work sucked it up. Did you use any kind of acid on the rocks? Just a thought. But I would let the cycle run for a bit. There's nothing in the tank. When you do your first water change use a higher alk concentrated salt. Red sea pro coral is a good one.

 

[W1ngz]

The bacteria that grow during a cycle don't care about alk. The new tank, rock, sand, new reefer still learning how to use his gear all introduce variables that no one can know about.

Next time you make a fresh bucket of water, test the alk. It should be about 8.

 

[johnj]

It should be closer to 8. But maybe the rock work sucked it up. Did you use any kind of acid on the rocks? Just a thought. But I would let the cycle run for a bit. There's nothing in the tank. When you do your first water change use a higher alk concentrated salt. Red sea pro coral is a good one.

I did take out a 5gal drum of tank water out today and replaced it with ro water because my salinity was 1.026 on pen"
but its 1,024 know after iv calibrated the pen"
should I add little salt know to bump upto 1.025 or do whot you said and run cycle and do water change after with red sea pro with the higher dkh

 

[johnj]

The bacteria that grow during a cycle don't care about alk. The new tank, rock, sand, new reefer still learning how to use his gear all introduce variables that no one can know about.

Next time you make a fresh bucket of water, test the alk. It should be about 8.

thanks mate and yes my head has bean spinning doing a marine tank for 1st time !

 

[motortrendz]

Just wait till it's time to do a water change and make your adjustments then. You'll be fine.

 

[jgvergo]

You have not mentioned whether you have any corals in your tank. If you don't, then I suggest you DON"T WORRY ABOUT ALK!!! . Get through your cycle first. When you do add your first few corals, you probably will not need to dose ALK. Regular water changes will be enough to replenish the ALK. Once you have a descent amount of corals that are growing you will need to worry about ALK and dosing.

 

[jgvergo]

im using red sea blue bucket and iv not done any dosing yet

According to Red Sea, your Alk should be in the 7-8 range, so your reading is a little low. As I said in my last post, I would not worry about it at this point.

 

[johnj]

iv started my new tank cycle know so hope the alk does not effect my cycle

 

[LIreefguy]

On a side note. Love the rock work
Looks awesome

 

[johnj]

On a side note. Love the rock work
Looks awesome

thank you for that! did start a tank build thread but not much interest lol

 

[jgvergo]

thank you for that! did start a tank build thread but not much interest lol

Put a link to your build thread in your signature (like I did). You will get some traffic that way.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Just a note: cycling a tank reduces alkalinity if nitrate is accumulating.

I might boost it with some baking soda as you'll need a big water change to bring it up that way. This calculator shows how much is needed:

Reef chemicals calculator
Reef Chemistry Calculator

 

[johnj]

Just a note: cycling a tank reduces alkalinity if nitrate is accumulating.

I might boost it with some baking soda as you'll need a big water change to bring it up that way. This calculator shows how much is needed:

Reef chemicals calculator
Reef Chemistry Calculator

would you add around 2 level teaspoons of baking soda to say 2ltr of ro water ?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

would you add around 2 level teaspoons of baking soda to say 2ltr of ro water ?

The amount of fresh water you dissolve it in is not critical, as long as it dissolves. You can dissolve it in a lot less water if needed, but that amount if water is ok.