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- Jul 12, 2019
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Wanted to get some opinions if low alkalinity can cause fish death. As indicated pH is good averaging 8.2 (verified measurement is accurate).
I've recently rebooted my tank and currently going through the ugly hair algae phase now. Started with dry rock and dry sand. It's been about 3 months since tank has completed cycling. I've been slowly adding fish and tangs as the primary way to manage algae growth. However, I've now lost 2 Powder Blue Tangs. First lasted a few days , and the second less than 2 weeks. At first I thought it was just because those fish are notoriously difficult to keep, especially without a quarantined setup. I knew something was seriously wrong when 2 clowns died overnight after looking healthy for 2 weeks.
I tested my Alk it it's around 4.5 dkh, I'm slowly bringing it up now. I didn't consider dosing alkalinity as it's just rocks for now, coral will come much later. I didn't anticipate alk to be this low anyway. All the other parameters like Calcium, mag, nitrate, phosphate are fine.
So my question is can low alkalinity be enough to cause fish death? And again, keep in mind that pH is completely within a good range. I run a UV sterilizer 24/7.
I've recently rebooted my tank and currently going through the ugly hair algae phase now. Started with dry rock and dry sand. It's been about 3 months since tank has completed cycling. I've been slowly adding fish and tangs as the primary way to manage algae growth. However, I've now lost 2 Powder Blue Tangs. First lasted a few days , and the second less than 2 weeks. At first I thought it was just because those fish are notoriously difficult to keep, especially without a quarantined setup. I knew something was seriously wrong when 2 clowns died overnight after looking healthy for 2 weeks.
I tested my Alk it it's around 4.5 dkh, I'm slowly bringing it up now. I didn't consider dosing alkalinity as it's just rocks for now, coral will come much later. I didn't anticipate alk to be this low anyway. All the other parameters like Calcium, mag, nitrate, phosphate are fine.
So my question is can low alkalinity be enough to cause fish death? And again, keep in mind that pH is completely within a good range. I run a UV sterilizer 24/7.