Huge Alk Consumption After Tank Swap?Help?

Alex’s_Mini_Reef · Mar 6, 2024

I upgraded from a Nuvo 15 To A Fusion 20
I brought all my live rock ,bio media & livestock and as much water as I could. I dose some tubrostart just in case. I was recommended to start with new sand.Iv been noticing a huge consumption on Alk about 1 to 1.5 a day. For the past 3 days In my prior tank it consuming about 0.3 Dkh a day. A little concerning any advice or knowledge of why this is occurring would be great help.

Randy Holmes-Farley · Mar 6, 2024

Do you know what is happening to nitrate during this time? Net production of nitrate consumes alkalinity.

Can you post a picture of the tank so we can gauge expected demand?

Alex’s_Mini_Reef · Mar 6, 2024

Randy Holmes-Farley said:
Do you know what is happening to nitrate during this time? Net production of nitrate consumes alkalinity.

Can you post a picture of the tank so we can gauge expected demand?

There sitting at 3ppm , I haven’t added any extra corals and in my 15 gallon it was consuming at about 0.3Dkh a day. it could maybe be going threw a mini cycle.

Randy Holmes-Farley · Mar 6, 2024

Was there any new bare rock or sand used? That can get some precipitated calcium carbonate on it.

Alex’s_Mini_Reef · Mar 6, 2024

Randy Holmes-Farley said:
Was there any new bare rock or sand used? That can get some precipitated calcium carbonate on it.

Only the sand is new , Rock was transferred about 6months old. I don’t see any clumps forming on it. How long do you typically see sand precipitation calcium ? Give or take give me an idea of how long I’m going to be in for extra dosing. Also Appreciate the help!!

Randy Holmes-Farley · Mar 6, 2024

Alex’s_Mini_Reef said:
Only the sand is new , Rock was transferred about 6months old. I don’t see any clumps forming on it. How long do you typically see sand precipitation calcium ? Give or take give me an idea of how long I’m going to be in for extra dosing. Also Appreciate the help!!

In a tank with organics, bacteria, phosphate and magnesium (all of which reduce precipitation), it does not go on too long. Days, not months.