Low Alk, Calcium is ok - is dosing only Alk the right way to go?

[BiggDirty]

Hi guys,

I’ve been doing weekly testing and my Alk consistently is 5.3-5.5 dkH, and my calcium is 405-415. My tank has been running for about 4 months, no coral or livestock - just dry rock. I would like to know if I could just raise my alk with soda ash or baking soda, or if I consider dosing a 2 part? Im a newbie and not sure what the right course of action is, I just want to get my tank parameters all sorted before I start adding fish/coral in the next week.

Advice appreciated.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Hi guys,

I’ve been doing weekly testing and my Alk consistently is 5.3-5.5 dkH, and my calcium is 405-415. My tank has been running for about 4 months, no coral or livestock - just dry rock. I would like to know if I could just raise my alk with soda ash or baking soda, or if I consider dosing a 2 part? Im a newbie and not sure what the right course of action is, I just want to get my tank parameters all sorted before I start adding fish/coral in the next week.

Advice appreciated.

I’d use a two part. You water is equally low in alk and calcium relative to natural seawater.

Calcium will drop if you just add alk, though doing so just once or twice is ok.

 

[BiggDirty]

I’d use a two part. You water is equally low in alk and calcium relative to natural seawater.

Calcium will drop if you just add alk, though doing so just once or twice is ok.

Thanks - much appreciated!