The alk level of the Red Sea blue bucket should be around 8.0 when mixed properly. So this would lower the alk of your tank assuming your tank had a higher alk. As well doing a 5 G water change is not going to cause your alk to move much at all. So like Fishfinder offered, this is most likely test error.
Yes, that is pretty much the only conclusion we are left with.
Some rock and sand will increase alkalinity. What do you have for those? I have been dosing Acid Buffer to my new setup because my Real Reef rock causes my alkalinity to rise by 1 dKH every week. Once my newly added coral settles in, I won't have that issue and I will need to start dosing alkalinity.
I wouldn't start dosing potassium or sodium NO3 personally as it can upset the balance of building blocks available in your system. Increasing NO3 can drive down PO4 and vice versa. I think it is wiser to let your tank manage this number on its own through food input/processed organics. Dosing NO3 might get you a jumpstart in color, but I think a more stable food chain source is best and reliable.
I started with dry rock and sand not sure of the names but I also went bare bottom a few months ago. My tanks been up and running for about 8months now
Favorite ATO & any other beginner equipment?
