Likelihood of Barnacle Cluster causing Alkalinity to Increase

[EricR]

If this keep going, and you doo not add creatures that use alk, then putting the bisulfate in your ATO may be a fine plan, assuming it is made of materials that can withstand low pH.

Can you list any foods that you use?

I mainly feed LRS Reef Frenzy Nano but also, occasionally, feed home-made with MOSTLY chopped, fresh (grocery store) clams/mussels.
Nori and fresh clams for inverts periodically but not massive amounts.

If I knew of easy creatures that use alk, I'd consider that.
So far, I do have 2 LPS (Duncan corals) and they're growing but still just single heads with one sprouting 4-5 new heads.
*don't really have any idea how many corals of which types/sizes would really be needed to start using noticeable alkalinity

I have wondered if I could do anything to my ATO source -- I guess sodium bisulfate would decrease alk in RO/DI the same as it does in saltwater? ...so basically make NEGATIVE alkalinity top off water?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Yes, the bisulfate is just residing as H+ and sulfate in the ATO water, providing it with a negative alk. The problem, as with any other way of adding directly is that it will lower pH significantly. Slow dosing and high aeration will mitigate the effect.