Alkalinity drops. Cal/mag stable

[Jrswish]

my tank is 2 months old, but for some reason my alkalinity will not stabalize, it just keeps lowering everyday. Somedays it goes down by 1dkh some .5 i dont get. I've been dosing to keep it at 8 but idk why it keeps lowering

 

[Lavey29]

Check magnesium level which is the buffer for alk and cal. Also make sure salinity is stable. Drop in salinity lowers alk to.

 

[Garf]

my tank is 2 months old, but for some reason my alkalinity will not stabalize, it just keeps lowering everyday. Somedays it goes down by 1dkh some .5 i dont get. I've been dosing to keep it at 8 but idk why it keeps lowering

If you have no corals consuming it, is your sand going hard? What are you using to raise it back up?

 

[Jonify]

Two things might be driving it: 1) either your alkalinity is precipitating out/into your sand and rock (high pH and CO2 scrubbers can also drive precipitation in new tanks) or 2) your tank's biological processes are using up the alkalinity, which also happens more frequently in newer tanks. If it's the first, turn off any CO2 scrubbing and swap to bicarbonate alkalinity; if it's the 2nd, just give it time.

 

[Jrswish]

I have corals, 7 zoa frags, 2 torches and 2 Acros that are all doing well I just can't keep my alk stable makes no sense but thanks for the info

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I have corals, 7 zoa frags, 2 torches and 2 Acros that are all doing well I just can't keep my alk stable makes no sense but thanks for the info

Unless you see excessive precipitation, I’d just dose BOTH calcium and alkalinity in a balanced ratio to maintain alk. Calcium just moves much more slowly, both up and down.