- Joined
- Apr 13, 2020
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I'm kinda hoping that there is some chemistry interaction that I'm not understanding that may be the problem. 6 YO 135 gallon total volume with sump. Skimmer connected to outside air via hose. Kalk dosed separate from ATO. Also dosing Acropower and BRS general adjustment magnesium. Daily additions of DIY NoPox and occasionally LaC (Phosphate RX) to keep phosphate in check. I have 10 Fish, including an adult sized Hippo and Flagfin Angel. Mixed reef with Leathers and Montis and Acros. Great Monti, Chalice growth, moderate/slow Acro growth. I feed DIY frozen melange equivalent to 3-4 cubes a day. Salinity 1.026 (pinpoint salinity monitor for conductivity) 25 gal per month water change with reef crystals.
The situation is thus, been dosing Kalk since tank inception. For last three years pH was 8.2-8.4 (pinpoint, calibrated every month) measured in sump. I only test Alk and Po4 (average .12) regularly, Mg, Nitrate (average 15), Ca occasionally. pH stared dropping to where i can no longer keep it above 8.0 and it fluctuates down to 7.6-7.7 at night. So of course I tested all parameters. I found that my Ca was over 500 and Mg over 1500. I had my Kalk dosing 2.2 ml per minute to keep up with Alk demand (which is always higher than CA demand. Alternately I would add some liquid baking soda to make up for Alk deficiency. I was keeping my Alk at 8.0. So I was pumping in a large amount of Kalk and my pH was still decreasing. Since taking new readings showing elevated levels of CA and Mg I cut back my Kalk additions and Mg dosing until those levels come back in line. To compensate for Alk demand in the meantime I have been adding liquid soda ash instead of liquid baking soda, as per Mr. Farley articles saying that is the preffered additive of the two for tanks with lower pH. Im also using it to slowly bring my alk up to 9.0. The condition of my inhabitants is ok, I am usually of the school that plenty of tanks run at that pH, so don't chase numbers. But in my case the numbers WERE higher ansd stable for a long time and then started dropping. I thought Kalk additions would always keep my pH at elevated levels. Thats why i'm wondering if there is not some chemistry imbalance point I am missing.
The situation is thus, been dosing Kalk since tank inception. For last three years pH was 8.2-8.4 (pinpoint, calibrated every month) measured in sump. I only test Alk and Po4 (average .12) regularly, Mg, Nitrate (average 15), Ca occasionally. pH stared dropping to where i can no longer keep it above 8.0 and it fluctuates down to 7.6-7.7 at night. So of course I tested all parameters. I found that my Ca was over 500 and Mg over 1500. I had my Kalk dosing 2.2 ml per minute to keep up with Alk demand (which is always higher than CA demand. Alternately I would add some liquid baking soda to make up for Alk deficiency. I was keeping my Alk at 8.0. So I was pumping in a large amount of Kalk and my pH was still decreasing. Since taking new readings showing elevated levels of CA and Mg I cut back my Kalk additions and Mg dosing until those levels come back in line. To compensate for Alk demand in the meantime I have been adding liquid soda ash instead of liquid baking soda, as per Mr. Farley articles saying that is the preffered additive of the two for tanks with lower pH. Im also using it to slowly bring my alk up to 9.0. The condition of my inhabitants is ok, I am usually of the school that plenty of tanks run at that pH, so don't chase numbers. But in my case the numbers WERE higher ansd stable for a long time and then started dropping. I thought Kalk additions would always keep my pH at elevated levels. Thats why i'm wondering if there is not some chemistry imbalance point I am missing.