Dosed alkalinity and no change

cnmcalpi · 01/27/2017, 05:40 PM

I dosed BRS two part alk (100ml) to 130 gal water volume expecting a change from ~8.5 dkh to 9.5 dkh as I am trying to raise alk to induce faster sps growth and there was no change!? It mixed over night, after work I tested and it reads 8.4. Whats going on?

Other parameters,
ca 500
mg 1600
no4 6
po3 .03
Don't know PH as my Hanna meter is out for warranty replacement.

It did seem to cloud and clump up a bit but once it saw flow it dissipated quickly, it did not precipitate into hard pieces.

Could it have ALL precipitated?

cnmcalpi · 01/27/2017, 05:53 PM

I wonder if my high mag is causing the system to be saturated so much that it just can't hold any more salts?

outssider · 01/27/2017, 06:05 PM

your high mg has nothing to do with it. some tanks will drop that much in 8 hrs. that's really quite normal. many tanks go through gobs of carbonate/bicarbonate on a daily basis. you are most likely getting some precipitation. add the alkalinity slowly or better still switch to bicarbonate (baking soda) from carbonate. i'd still put it in slowly though.

cnmcalpi · 01/27/2017, 06:13 PM

So, Im dosing saturated kalk at 1.75 gal per day as well. I can't imagine the little 2" sps frags I have eating that much alk.

6 2" sps frags
1 8" bubble lps
1 5" trachophyllia
soft corals

cnmcalpi · 01/27/2017, 06:13 PM

Ive also been testing with no dosing and just the kalk with no significant change day to day in alk.

bertoni · 01/27/2017, 10:25 PM

I would dose, and then try measuring the level about 10 minutes later. That should give enough time for the supplement to mix throughout the system, unless there's a very large sump or refugium. I doubt that any of the alkalinity precipitated. The magnesium level is fine and the alkalinity and calcium levels are acceptable.

cnmcalpi · 01/28/2017, 08:56 AM

Thanks, Ill try. Ca and alk are in range but not balanced. I know I cant balance alk to 500ppm ca but I would like to get it closer. Really 450/12 would be my ideal.

cnmcalpi · 01/28/2017, 06:38 PM

Dosed 100ml again, measured a half hour later. Reads 9.8. I will read again tomorrow and see if it stays around.

If its reduced back down to mid 8's but stays stable day to day from there with no further dosing, what could be going on?

bertoni · 01/28/2017, 07:27 PM

I suspect that's just consumption. Consumption drops when the alkalinity drops. The test kit might be a bit off, as well. For what it's worth, there's no need to "balance" the calcium and alkalinity. As long as they're in the safe zone, the tank should be fine.

cnmcalpi · 01/29/2017, 10:30 AM

Thank you sir, I will investigate a daily dosing regiment and check the results.

bertoni · 01/29/2017, 09:29 PM

You're welcome. Good luck!

01/27/2017, 05:40 PM	#1
cnmcalpi Moved On Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 46	Dosed alkalinity and no change I dosed BRS two part alk (100ml) to 130 gal water volume expecting a change from ~8.5 dkh to 9.5 dkh as I am trying to raise alk to induce faster sps growth and there was no change!? It mixed over night, after work I tested and it reads 8.4. Whats going on? Other parameters, ca 500 mg 1600 no4 6 po3 .03 Don't know PH as my Hanna meter is out for warranty replacement. It did seem to cloud and clump up a bit but once it saw flow it dissipated quickly, it did not precipitate into hard pieces. Could it have ALL precipitated?

01/27/2017, 10:25 PM	#6
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	I would dose, and then try measuring the level about 10 minutes later. That should give enough time for the supplement to mix throughout the system, unless there's a very large sump or refugium. I doubt that any of the alkalinity precipitated. The magnesium level is fine and the alkalinity and calcium levels are acceptable. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

01/28/2017, 07:27 PM	#9
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	I suspect that's just consumption. Consumption drops when the alkalinity drops. The test kit might be a bit off, as well. For what it's worth, there's no need to "balance" the calcium and alkalinity. As long as they're in the safe zone, the tank should be fine. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

01/29/2017, 09:29 PM	#11
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	You're welcome. Good luck! __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

01/27/2017, 05:53 PM	#2
cnmcalpi Moved On Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 46	I wonder if my high mag is causing the system to be saturated so much that it just can't hold any more salts?

01/27/2017, 06:05 PM	#3
outssider Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Reseda, Ca. Posts: 1,717	your high mg has nothing to do with it. some tanks will drop that much in 8 hrs. that's really quite normal. many tanks go through gobs of carbonate/bicarbonate on a daily basis. you are most likely getting some precipitation. add the alkalinity slowly or better still switch to bicarbonate (baking soda) from carbonate. i'd still put it in slowly though.

01/27/2017, 06:13 PM	#4
cnmcalpi Moved On Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 46	So, Im dosing saturated kalk at 1.75 gal per day as well. I can't imagine the little 2" sps frags I have eating that much alk. 6 2" sps frags 1 8" bubble lps 1 5" trachophyllia soft corals

01/28/2017, 08:56 AM	#7
cnmcalpi Moved On Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 46	Thanks, Ill try. Ca and alk are in range but not balanced. I know I cant balance alk to 500ppm ca but I would like to get it closer. Really 450/12 would be my ideal.

01/28/2017, 06:38 PM	#8
cnmcalpi Moved On Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 46	Dosed 100ml again, measured a half hour later. Reads 9.8. I will read again tomorrow and see if it stays around. If its reduced back down to mid 8's but stays stable day to day from there with no further dosing, what could be going on?

01/29/2017, 10:30 AM	#10
cnmcalpi Moved On Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 46	Thank you sir, I will investigate a daily dosing regiment and check the results.