Low alk on a new system

[CK00020]

I use tropic Marin pro, my tank has only been up for 2 months and I find my alk is low. I test with a Hanna checker and am getting a salifert test soon to double check but when I make water it’s 7 dkh does the rock and sand soak up alk, and what do I dose to combat this? Soda ash? if so in what quantity, 120 with a 40b sump.

 

[lapin]

The nitrogen cycle will use alk.

 

[CK00020]

Thanks much, I was wondering what was going on, nothing in the tank but clowns

 

[Dannad]

Tropic Marin Pro salt is 7dkh

 

[CK00020]

I know I said that in the first question

 

[CK00020]

But I guess I didn't disclose my current alk is 5.8 dkh

 

[Dannad]

Wow! 5.8 is kinda super Low! Don’t think fish and rock will soak up alk. What’s your salinity level?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Rising nitrate depletes alkalinity.

Just add some baking soda or sodium carbonate at this point.

This calculator shows how much:

Reef Chemistry Calculator

 

[CK00020]

Thanks Randy, no more than 1dkh per day right

 

[CK00020]

I got my salifert alk test in yesterday, it tested 7 dkh. So either I am doing something wrong with the Hanna or it’s inaccurate