Low Alk but all else is well

[Hillerd86]

Hey everyone. I know I'm opening a giant can of worms here but here it goes

I have a 20gal AIO that has been running for about 2 years. Have it loaded with all types of coral ranging from zoas to a few very small acros. Mostly LPS like acans though.

I slacked testing for a while but mostly everything is solid except my alk. Verified using different brands as well

Params
Nitrate: 16ppm
Calcium: 420
Alk: 5.6-5.8
Ph: 8ish
Temp: 77F

Weird thing is my alk tested daily for the whole week goes from 5.8 down to 5.6 or so. So it's pretty solid. My salt mix (live aquaria) is around 8-8.5.

So it seems like if I boosted my alk and just did regular water changes it would hold. What's the best or easiest way to boost alk without having a doser?

Pretty much do a 2.5 gallon water change weekly.

 

[Hillerd86]

Some tank photos as a thanks

 

[Saltyreef]

You can use baking soda mixed into rodi water.
Follow randys recipie for alk using baking soda.
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-02/rhf/index.php
and dose accordingly with this calc.
http://reef.diesyst.com/chemcalc/chemcalc.html
If your ph hovers below 8, you can benefit from the soda ash vs baking soda just follow the instructions in the first link.


OR, just buy some liquid alk solution.

 

[RedReefer]

I would not change anything, the corals look fine! Double check your test kit with a different kit. Check it another week a see if it drops lower. If so you might need to dose a little. I've seen full blown out reef tanks running 6 dkh with no issues and thriving coral.

 

[Saltyreef]

I would not change anything, the corals look fine! Double check your test kit with a different kit. Check it another week a see if it drops lower. If so you might need to dose a little. I've seen full blown out reef tanks running 6 dkh with no issues and thriving coral.

Good point

Edit: saw he verified with more then one brand