Low Alkalinity

[MadReefer]

I noticed my red/orange caps are bleaching so tested water. I started dosing Jan at low dose and slowly go up but seems that is not working. Alk has been around 65 or lower entire time; same with cal. mag took a big drop from 1480.

Today increased Alk to 10ml daily, Cal 5ml daily and left mag at 2ml daily. Any help appreciated as I hate to lose the caps.

Alk - 6.2
Cal - 425
Mag 1320

 

[radiata]

Are you using a sulfur nitrate filter? They can trash Alk.

 

[MadReefer]

Using floss in a cup.

 

[myrjon]

i never had any luck chasing # .

 

[MadReefer]

i never had any luck chasing # .

I agree but why are the caps bleaching. I assume Alk is to low.

 

[nvladik]

Check the rest of the params?

 

[john90009]

When you setup the tank did you use fresh sand?

 

[myrjon]

i do not dose just monthly water changes

 

[MadReefer]

When you setup the tank did you use fresh sand?

Yes new sand.

 

[john90009]

For whatever reason it happens when throwing new sand in. It’s happened to me when I moved tanks to. At some point after you dump enough alk the numbers will start shifting. Then dial it back down, it may be that somethings growing in the sand, or that it’s binding to the sand as well. I noticed phosphate Will plunge as well.

 

[Abda410]

I agree. New sand absorbs a lot of alk. Sometimes you can get some precipitation and it turns the sand rock hard. If that's happening, you have to use a low pH alk solution like bicarb to raise the alk without increasing precipitation.

 

[MadReefer]

Never heard this before. Luckily my sand us not hard or clumped any where.

 

[john90009]

I wouldn’t worry about it getting clumped, i have seen it happen with really old sand that was starved of oxygen and never had critters in it sifting and turning it over. I think I’m your case it’s just binding to stuff, it will eventually reach its limit whatever is absorbing it and you will get to a good level again. How’s coralline doing on the glass and rocks?

 

[MadReefer]

I wouldn’t worry about it getting clumped, i have seen it happen with really old sand that was starved of oxygen and never had critters in it sifting and turning it over. I think I’m your case it’s just binding to stuff, it will eventually reach its limit whatever is absorbing it and you will get to a good level again. How’s coralline doing on the glass and rocks?

none growing.

 

[john90009]

Yeah the sand and bacteria are sucking stuff up like crazy, the systems trying to rebalance itself. When you see the coraline growing the sps should look better.