FrugalReefer
Valuable Member
Need help diagnosing why my alk experienced a sudden significant increase from 7.85 dkH on 1/11/24 to 9.3 dkH as of today 1/17/24. Here are some of my numbers since November. Even though the numbers don't reflect it, I aim to keep my alk between 7-8 dkH.
11/26/23 - 7.5 dkH
12/2/23 - 8.0 dkH
12/7/23 - 8.0 dkH
12/14/23 - 7.85 dkH
12/21/23 - 7.85 dkH
12/28/23 - 8.15 dkH
1/5/24 - 8.15 dkH
1/11/24 - 7.85 dkH
1/17/24 - 9.3 dkH
All values were taken using a Salifert test kit which has an expiration of 9/2027 and measured at the same time each day, at around 7:00-7:30pm. I performed the most recent test twice to make sure user error in the testing process could be ruled out and sure enough, I got the same result. As far as other parameters during the same time frame, pH swings from 7.7 at night to around 8.1-8.2 during the day, temp has been in the range of 80-82F, salinity around 1.025-1.026, nitrates around 2, phosphates at around 0.03.
Some information on my system, it is an SPS dominant Waterbox nano with a sump. I know most of you are going to hate and disagree with it but I carbon dose and have been for awhile to keep my nutrients in check and also to feed my corals the extra bacterioplankton. I run only a cheap skimmer and I have xenia in my sump also as filtration. I don't run carbon, GFO, UV, filter socks, etc. I feed my fish flakes, pellets and frozen twice a day on a rotational basis (flakes-pellets day 1, frozen-flakes day 2, pellets-frozen day 3, repeat). The only things I feed my corals are ESV 2 part, Brightwell Coral Amino and Brightwell Replenish. Lighting is suppled by a 150W Nicrew Hyperreef, flow by the return nozzle and some Jebaos.
The only things that I have changed recently are
1/10/24 increased frequency of amino dosing slightly
1/14/24 decreased daily amount of vodka dosed slightly
I implemented these changes because some dinos and small patches of cyano have started to show up and so far the existing dinos and cyano haven't spread. Hopefully they'll disappear over time. Other than that though, I got this jump in my alkalinity and I can't figure it out. I've only been reefing for 8 years but I don't see how this could effect the daily alkalinity consumption of my corals, unless I'm missing something. On second thought though I've read that a decrease in nitrates could cause an increase in alkalinity. But my nitrates have been steady at around 2. Any ideas?
11/26/23 - 7.5 dkH
12/2/23 - 8.0 dkH
12/7/23 - 8.0 dkH
12/14/23 - 7.85 dkH
12/21/23 - 7.85 dkH
12/28/23 - 8.15 dkH
1/5/24 - 8.15 dkH
1/11/24 - 7.85 dkH
1/17/24 - 9.3 dkH
All values were taken using a Salifert test kit which has an expiration of 9/2027 and measured at the same time each day, at around 7:00-7:30pm. I performed the most recent test twice to make sure user error in the testing process could be ruled out and sure enough, I got the same result. As far as other parameters during the same time frame, pH swings from 7.7 at night to around 8.1-8.2 during the day, temp has been in the range of 80-82F, salinity around 1.025-1.026, nitrates around 2, phosphates at around 0.03.
Some information on my system, it is an SPS dominant Waterbox nano with a sump. I know most of you are going to hate and disagree with it but I carbon dose and have been for awhile to keep my nutrients in check and also to feed my corals the extra bacterioplankton. I run only a cheap skimmer and I have xenia in my sump also as filtration. I don't run carbon, GFO, UV, filter socks, etc. I feed my fish flakes, pellets and frozen twice a day on a rotational basis (flakes-pellets day 1, frozen-flakes day 2, pellets-frozen day 3, repeat). The only things I feed my corals are ESV 2 part, Brightwell Coral Amino and Brightwell Replenish. Lighting is suppled by a 150W Nicrew Hyperreef, flow by the return nozzle and some Jebaos.
The only things that I have changed recently are
1/10/24 increased frequency of amino dosing slightly
1/14/24 decreased daily amount of vodka dosed slightly
I implemented these changes because some dinos and small patches of cyano have started to show up and so far the existing dinos and cyano haven't spread. Hopefully they'll disappear over time. Other than that though, I got this jump in my alkalinity and I can't figure it out. I've only been reefing for 8 years but I don't see how this could effect the daily alkalinity consumption of my corals, unless I'm missing something. On second thought though I've read that a decrease in nitrates could cause an increase in alkalinity. But my nitrates have been steady at around 2. Any ideas?
