Impact of nitrogen cycle on alkalinity

[phish1627]

Recently cycled my first tank using tropic Marin pro salt. After the cycle was complete I tested, alk, nitrate, and phosphate. My alk was 6.8. I understand that tropic Marin pro is a somewhat low alk salt, but was surprised to be under 7. Does the nitrification/cycling process consume alkalinity. Not concerned since I haven’t even added fish much less corals but just curious.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

accumulating nitrate causes depletion of alk. Each 50 ppm rise in nitrate depletes 2.3 dKH of alk.

Calcium carbonate also precipitates into bare sand and rock, depleting alk.

 

[Malcontent]

Nitrification produces H+ which lowers pH. Some alk is directly consumed but AI assures me the pH effect is mainly due to acid production.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Yes, conversion of ammonia to nitrate directly depletes alk. But if nitrate is steady at any concentration, there is no effect on alk because consumption of the nitrate in any way (except water change or sulfur denitrator) adds back exactly the amount lost.

 

[phish1627]

Yes, conversion of ammonia to nitrate directly depletes alk. But if nitrate is steady at any concentration, there is no effect on alk because consumption of the nitrate in any way (except water change or sulfur denitrator) adds back exactly the amount lost.

So now that I have somewhat low alk from the nitrification process, should I eventually do a larger water change to replenish? I wasn’t planning on it as my nitrate is only 2.2 and my phosphate is 0.04 (I only dosed 1ppm of ammonia to start my cycle as my lfs owner stated that 2ppm or higher can cause a large nitrate/spike)

 

[Poseidon03]

So now that I have somewhat low alk from the nitrification process, should I eventually do a larger water change to replenish? I wasn’t planning on it as my nitrate is only 2.2 and my phosphate is 0.04 (I only dosed 1ppm of ammonia to start my cycle as my lfs owner stated that 2ppm or higher can cause a large nitrate/spike)

What's your current ammonia level? Any livestock in the tank?

 

[phish1627]

So now that I have somewhat low alk from the nitrification process, should I eventually do a larger water change to replenish? I wasn’t planning on it as my nitrate is only 2.2 and my phosphate is 0.04 (I only dosed 1ppm of ammonia to start my cycle as my lfs owner stated that 2ppm or higher can cause a large nitrate/spike)

What's your current ammonia level? Any livestock in the tank?

Zero ammonia and zero nitrites with no livestock (planning on adding a pair of small clowns in 2 weeks as long as things remain stable). Once ammonia and nitrite were zero I added Marco maricultured live rock to my sump to boost diversity/bacteria so I am hoping even with starting at 1ppm my tank should be able to handle the clowns

 

[Fish Fan]

I think you're in good shape here. Even though I do not suggest a 'fish-in' cycle, Clownfish were often used to cycle a tank years ago (some still do). Clownfish are very tolerant of ammonia, and with the addition of the live rock, I don't think you'll have a problem if you add your Clowns now. I personally wouldn't worry about the Alk or a water change until you get some corals.

Good luck!

 

[Poseidon03]

I'd double check salinity first. Test your saltwater mix too.

After those are checked, your tank should be fine to add clowns. I'd dose a little of your major 3 to match your salt mix. I typically go slower than most with alk changes, so I recommend no more than .5 dKh if dosing for 1 day or .25 dKh per day if you need it raise it more than .5 on a brand new tank.

 

[Poseidon03]

Also read up on the ugly cycle of a reef tank. You can look into Serious Reef and get a free membership for your first month. Watch all the videos on biome cycling when you have time and that should help you through the ugly stage.

I'd recommend researching each and having a plan for each as most are common in the first year. You could have also introduced some with the live rock, but is not much of an issue.

Dinos
Diatoms
Cyano
Hair Algae
Bryopsis
Bubble Algae
Aiptaisa anemone
Majano anemone

The uglies, heater failure, and trying to do too much too fast are the most common destroyers of tanks and why so many hobbiests leave in the first year. I'd recommend your next purchase being a heater controller if you can spare the budget.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

So now that I have somewhat low alk from the nitrification process, should I eventually do a larger water change to replenish? I wasn’t planning on it as my nitrate is only 2.2 and my phosphate is 0.04 (I only dosed 1ppm of ammonia to start my cycle as my lfs owner stated that 2ppm or higher can cause a large nitrate/spike)

No. There's no reason to do water changes to boost alk. Very expensive. A little bakign soda is the best way, but at 6.8 dKH I would not even do that now.

When you do, this is the calculator to show how much:

https://reef.diesyst.com/chemcalc/chem_calc3.html

 

[phish1627]

Also read up on the ugly cycle of a reef tank. You can look into Serious Reef and get a free membership for your first month. Watch all the videos on biome cycling when you have time and that should help you through the ugly stage.

I'd recommend researching each and having a plan for each as most are common in the first year. You could have also introduced some with the live rock, but is not much of an issue.

Dinos
Diatoms
Cyano
Hair Algae
Bryopsis
Bubble Algae
Aiptaisa anemone
Majano anemone

The uglies, heater failure, and trying to do too much too fast are the most common destroyers of tanks and why so many hobbiests leave in the first year. I'd recommend your next purchase being a heater controller if you can spare the budget.

Genuinely appreciate this advice. I spent 9-10 months researching before adding water to my tank. I have 2 heaters, an inkbird, ato etc. Plan on being extremely patient with adding any livestock, starting my light schedule very incrementally after 2-3 months of them off. I am familiar with various aspects of the uglies etc. Trying to give myself the best start I can to have a somewhat smooth first year despite knowing I will most likely battle some issues along the way.