Randy Holmes-Farley
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My Tank Thread
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so in short, what is the problem?
Not a problem, just soemthing to know and account for.
The issue in new tanks that depletes alk (and calcium) is most often precipitation of calcium carbonate on rock and sand surfaces. Over time, this slows as the surfaces get plugged up with organics, magnesium, and phosphate.
Rising nitrate also depletes alkalinity for the reasons give above. Stable nitrate at any level does not impact alkalinity.