How do I increase a small amount of Alkalinity to my tank and keep it stable?

[ReefKeeper666]

The alkalinity see-sawing is way more of an issue than the phosphate.

Back 2 decades ago, and before people made reefing so hard, before people started regularly testing for phosphate, and before pumps and skimmers got so good, .5ppm+ was a pretty common thing, and honestly, there are way more successful reefs in that range than people think - because anybody who mentions it has their thread derailed by people.


The idea that you can support a reef tank with stony corals on just water changes is a myth that kills a lot of tanks. Even a handful of stony frags will eat enough alkalinity to cause problems.

Start dosing. Stabilize your alkalinity.

Hi. What would you suggest as a good product/way to dose alkalinity

 

[92Miata]

Hi. What would you suggest as a good product/way to dose alkalinity

In a relatively new tank with low draw? Randy's 2-part recipe, or any of the equivalents - dosed manually.

you'll probably only need to dose a couple milliliters a day initially (and at this point, every couple days is probably fine) But it ramps up and you eventually end up with dosing pumps or a calcium reactor. I'm a fan of dosing pumps - just easier IMO to manage.


My 40g went from 5ml a day when I initially set it up (about .1dkh/day) to doing about 60ml/day 4 or 5 months later (1.2dkH/day).

Typically you start by dosing the tank to your target alkalinity, and then waiting say a week, and testing. Figure out how much you dropped (say, .5dk), dose that to bring the tank back to target, and then start dosing 1/7th of that each day. Test again in a week - see where you are, and adjust.

 

[ReefKeeper666]

In a relatively new tank with low draw? Randy's 2-part recipe, or any of the equivalents - dosed manually.

you'll probably only need to dose a couple milliliters a day initially (and at this point, every couple days is probably fine) But it ramps up and you eventually end up with dosing pumps or a calcium reactor. I'm a fan of dosing pumps - just easier IMO to manage.


My 40g went from 5ml a day when I initially set it up (about .1dkh/day) to doing about 60ml/day 4 or 5 months later (1.2dkH/day).

Typically you start by dosing the tank to your target alkalinity, and then waiting say a week, and testing. Figure out how much you dropped (say, .5dk), dose that to bring the tank back to target, and then start dosing 1/7th of that each day. Test again in a week - see where you are, and adjust.

Thank you so much for this. Gonna leave for the lfs in a lik bit and get when I need.

 

[Fishfinder]

Let’s start with the basics. Where do you get your water? Are you using RODI? Can we see more pics? Pics of the healthy SPS?

 

[ReefKeeper666]

Let’s start with the basics. Where do you get your water? Are you using RODI? Can we see more pics? Pics of the healthy SPS?

I have a RODI maker with an inline tds meter at home. Pics will have to wait for after work.

 

[Fishfinder]

Well water or city water?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Well water or city water?

Why does this matter for a slight decline in alkalinity?

 

[HuduVudu]

On the onset of the 2nd week my alkalinity falls to about 6.8 on Monday6.6 / 6.5 by Thursday. Would this .5 loss/swing in my alkalinity be enough to turn my encrusting corals White?

I have found in my tank that when the alk goes below 6.8 the fast growers suffer. Especially if you have kept them at higher alk. If I see my alk at 7.0 I freak because bad things if it gets lower. FWIW

 

[Fishfinder]

Why does this matter for a slight decline in alkalinity?

Not related at all. I personally don’t think his Alk or PO4 is his problem. I am backtracking to basics to help identify another cause.

 

[ReefKeeper666]

Well water or city water?

City.

 

[ReefKeeper666]

Let’s start with the basics. Where do you get your water? Are you using RODI? Can we see more pics? Pics of the healthy SPS?

My brother just took this tank pics hope they can help