Alkalinity dosing

[Bonsai reef]

Hi,

My LFS tested my water alk as 7. My 23g is 1 month old after cycle completed. I have been doing 10% wc weekly.

Current param-
Temp-78
Salinity-1.026
Nitrate/phosphate- 0/ traces
pH-8
LFS readings below-
Calcium-400
Mag-1500
Alk-7

LS-
2clowns
CUC- 5 hermit, 3 cerith snail

Corals-all small frags
1 GSP, 3- zoa
2- hammers 1 head each
1 - acan
1 - small monty cap frag
1-candy cane

Corals look happy at this moment but LFS suggested using seachem reef builder to raise alk. Should i use it? If so what should be proper way to use in a 24g aio nano?

 

[SPR1968]

Your alkalinity is on the very low end of acceptable and you don’t have any more room for downward movement really, so I would raise it to around 8 or maybe even slightly higher but it depends on what your trying to achieve

I try and keep mine around 8-8.5dKH or thereabouts and then there is a little movement if it falls between testing. I’ve also been as high as 12.6 whilst going for increased coral growth as well for a 12 month period a few years ago.

As far as Reef Builder, although I’ve personally never used it, it looks ok so just follow the instructions

 

[IanK]

Im not familiar with the seachem product but a pack of soda ash from bulk reef supply is very inexpensive. Plus using that you can use there reef calculator, which is very helpful

 

[blasterman]

Of course the reef shop advised a commercial alk buffer because they make a fortune selling those products. If you thought 3' USB cables for $29.95 was a rip off from office supply stores they have nothing on the this scam.

Part A - calcium. This fancy bottle consists of a pint of filtered water an a few tablespoons of sidewalk de-icer (calcium chloride).

Part B - alk. This fancy bottle consists of a pint of filtered water and a few tablespoons of non food grade baking soda. I bought a box from the grocery store for 99 cents.

In new tanks alkalinity can be depleted very quickly because it's a main component of biology which supplies bacteria and algae colonies. Fish won't care, but if you plan on keeping corals I advise keeping the level at 8-9 dKH and testing weekly. Calcium likely won't budge, but alkalinity can dive quickly in new tanks even if they don't have hard corals. It will stabilize as the tank matures. Use an online reef calculator and ignore the over priced liquid stuff.