Struggling to maintain Alkalinity!

[willy69]

Parameters:
Temp: 77.8
Salinity: 1.025-1.026
Calcium: don’t test often
Alk: 6.1
Ph: 8.6
Phos: 0.03-0.05
Nitrate: don’t test

Recently my tank has been struggling to maintain proper alkalinity levels. I dose saturated kalk throughout the day using a modified kalk stirrer as well as supplementation of highly concentrated saturated kalk. My acros and clams love the high ph but recently no matter how much a dose I cannot break 6.5 dkh. Any advice? Ps I am considering adding a second dose pump of all for reef.

 

[386reeftrader]

Are you having issues with your corals? Or just wanting a higher kh? 6.5 is not a bad level if your SPS and clams are growing and healthy I wouldn’t worry about it imo. 2-part will get you to where you want to be if you want it higher.

 

[rossco]

you might consider slowly bumping up your Alk with something like reef builder and then maintain it there with kalk supplementation, much like one would to with a calcium reactor.

 

[SamMule]

How are your magnesium levels? Low mag can make alk difficult to maintain IIRC.

 

[exnisstech]

I've never been able to keep alk where I want it (8ish) using kalk only. I always have to supplement with 2 part.

 

[OnPointCorals Verified Sponsor]

Yes, make sure your mag levels are where they should be. Also, you can't make correction doses with Kalk. You need to get a 2-part mix and do your corrections with that. (Soda Ash or Sodium bicarbonate).

 

[etcee]

2 part

 

[ScottB]

Like others have said, in a high ALK consumption system, it is challenging to maintain ALK via Kalk alone. I dose 4 liters of saturated Kalk per day (mostly at night of course). This accomplishes two things:
a) Maintain pH at 8.3 to 8.5
b) Reduces the required amount of ESV two part by about half.

I fine tune ALK via my APEX DOS. Super easy and reliable.