Alkalinity levels

[Jon]

I just got he Hannah Alk test kit and my tank is sitting at 6.8. Ive read you want to keep them around 7-10. Should I start dosing my tank or leave it as is. It’s pretty close to 7 and I’m hoping close enough. What do you guys think?

 

[Foxchase]

Water change should bring the alk levels up. If the level drops a noticeable amount on a daily basis, then i recommend dosing.

(Can't hurt either way but sometimes the drop is so small that it's not worth going through the trouble of dosing because WC will do the work)

 

[MadReefer]

As long as its consistent I wouldn't worry. Water changes will help as Foxchase stated.
That being said I dose 5ml weekly using ESV 2 part and my Alk sits around 8/9.
Monthly WC of about 10g.

 

[Jon]

I do weekly water changes and will monitor the levels. I will Probably test the day before the water change and right after water change. I use brightwell salt mix and it should be around 7.5. Hopefully it doesn’t dip any lower.

 

[MadReefer]

I do weekly water changes and will monitor the levels. I will Probably test the day before the water change and right after water change. I use brightwell salt mix and it should be around 7.5. Hopefully it doesn’t dip any lower.

So there is your answer; The salt mixes at 7.5
If you want higher Alk maybe use a salt mix that has the Alk level you're shooting for.

 

[DangerDave]

You should pick a level that works for you, and keep it there. In my experience the swings are what piss the corals off. Depending on your demand and what you want to keep it at water changes might cover it, kalk might, 2 part will, or a calcium reactor eventually if demand calls for it.

 

[Foxchase]

What @DangerDave said is 100% accurate. For example, i gotta dose 7.8 ml daily to keep my alk at 8.2. Which is not a lot but if I wait for water changes, it drops dangerously low. Once I got my levels consistent, everything started looking 100x better

 

[Jon]

Thanks guys. I like the approach. I’m going to monitor the levels and see if they bounce around. If they don’t bounce around I will
Do nothing and if they do drop I will begin dosing slowly in small amounts

 

[erics210]

What @DangerDave said is 100% accurate. For example, i gotta dose 7.8 ml daily to keep my alk at 8.2. Which is not a lot but if I wait for water changes, it drops dangerously low. Once I got my levels consistent, everything started looking 100x better

RIGHT there with you Foxchase. I have to doze 7ml a day to maintain 8.8. BUT in a week that created a seesaw, so rather dose. And my corals thank me!

I guess its the same for us. Sure you could have one huge meal on Sunday. And eat enough to survive the rest of the week, but having 3 smaller meals a day helps maintain much better health.
Although I over do it way too often! lol

 

[Hockeynut]

I ran my alk at 7.6 for numerous tanks and had great results. Don’t chase a phantom number, decide where you want to be and let it consistent and you will do well. The only reason I went a little higher then that was because when I would buy coral I would always ask where the alk was in there tanks and generally guys were a little higher then me so I bumped it up a little and now I try to be at 7.8 to 8 so I could be similar to the average Reefer. So to have less shock to new pieces.

 

[Foxchase]

I ran my alk at 7.6 for numerous tanks and had great results. Don’t chase a phantom number, decide where you want to be and let it consistent and you will do well. The only reason I went a little higher then that was because when I would buy coral I would always ask where the alk was in there tanks and generally guys were a little higher then me so I bumped it up a little and now I try to be at 7.8 to 8 so I could be similar to the average Reefer. So to have less shock to new pieces.

I did the same. My salt kept it at 11-12 but everywhere I got frags from was around 8dkh. So I decided to lower mine to stay at 8.2 so it's easier on the corals

 

[amado]

I like to keep alk at 8 it give me a little room if something goes wrong.

 

[diana a]

I did the same. My salt kept it at 11-12 but everywhere I got frags from was around 8dkh. So I decided to lower mine to stay at 8.2 so it's easier on the corals

Dumb question: I know how to raise Alk but how do you lower it? Did you switch salt brand, or is there an additive?

 

[amado]

Dumb question: I know how to raise Alk but how do you lower it? Did you switch salt brand, or is there an additive?

Your corals will consume the alk naturally.
So you just wait for it to drop to the range you like.

 

[Foxchase]

Dumb question: I know how to raise Alk but how do you lower it? Did you switch salt brand, or is there an additive?

Exactly what Amado said. I just let it slowly go down over the course of a few weeks. Some people seem to think white vinegar can lower alk, but it also messes with your ph. It's not proven either so idk how much truth that holds.

I still us IO regular salt. Even with it's dog at 11, with the size water changes that i do, it only brings it up a few decimal points and i just stop my dose for a day so I'm not raising it too much

 

[erics210]

Dumb question: I know how to raise Alk but how do you lower it? Did you switch salt brand, or is there an additive?

I was using Reef Crystals and testing with an older Hanna tester. Kept saying I was a little below 8, so was dosing.
During BRS fan appreciation week at Thanksgiving I bought a NEW Hanna Tester. Came and tested my display. 16.2dkh.
Ahhhhhh
SO did a 30 gallon change with fresh salt. 15.8. Another 30 gallons. 14.6
Mixed up another batch and tested the fresh salt mix. 13.2!
How was I EVER gonna decrease the ALK?

So switched to Tropic Marin Classic and mixed a few fresh batch of 30 gallons 8.8dkh and reduced to 8.8 over the next week.
That was December 8th/9th. Dose 7ml a day of soda ash and maintain the 8.8dkh.
I have been still doing a weekly 30 gallon water change, but will reduce to 10 gallons weekly soon.
I am about to do a water change in the next hour. Once I am done I will retest and adjust if needed and then just dose for the week.

Note: I was mixing my Reef Crystals before using the powder, but was still super high dkh.
Best look of my tank in years. Consistency is my new friend!

 

[erics210]

Did my 30 gallon water change and tested.
SG - 1.026
Alkalinity - 8.8 dKh
Calcium 450 ppm
Magnesium 1300 ppm

Like I said, next I will start managing my Phosphates and Nitrates more closely.
But everything looks good, and have visible growth, so I am happy.
Current Display...

Love the duncan colony someone donated for the raffle last February. Amazing piece.
A few pieces on the top right shelf are also from that meeting, was just trying to keep em alive, now I am actually showing growth, especially the chalice I got from Danger Dave (Bubble Gum/Cotton candy pink chalice. Was all battered after 9 months, but coming back strong now. )