Alkalinity drop

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Is there a way to test the alk in AFR to verify?

Not in any simple way. One could measure the formate with acid in a pH titration.

 

[Reefering1]

Not in any simple way. One could measure the formate with acid in a pH titration.

Couldn't someone just add a precice amount of afr to a precise amount of saltwater and expect a certain increase, within a given timframe?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Couldn't someone just add a precice amount of afr to a precise amount of saltwater and expect a certain increase, within a given timframe?

Yes, one could do a time course of measurements over time and see where it stabilizes, but I do not know how long that might take in a nonreef setting. Might be an extended period to get enough of the right bacteria present to convert it. Like how long it takes to cycle a tank for ammonia.

 

[Reefering1]

Yes, one could do a time course of measurements over time and see where it stabilizes, but I do not know how long that might take in a nonreef setting. Might be an extended period to get enough of the right bacteria present to convert it. Like how long it takes to cycle a tank for ammonia.

What if said person uses tank water?

 

[Reefering1]

Yes, one could do a time course of measurements over time and see where it stabilizes, but I do not know how long that might take in a nonreef setting. Might be an extended period to get enough of the right bacteria present to convert it. Like how long it takes to cycle a tank for ammonia.

What if said person uses tank water?

Or would they need to use the whole functioning tank?

 

[backbayreef]

There is no alk reduction from nitrate reduction. It raises alk.

The context I was referring to earlier, sulfur denitrification reduced alkalinity (and pH). I’ve observed it my tank. For the OP doing carbon dosing, the opposite is true but unlikely to notice anything.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

The context I was referring to earlier, sulfur denitrification reduced alkalinity (and pH). I’ve observed it my tank. For the OP doing carbon dosing, the opposite is true but unlikely to notice anything.

Yes, I do agree that sulfur denitrator are a big sink for alk. :)