alklinity problems

[cope787]

my alklinity will not stay up. i added kent superbuffer about 5 days ago and then measured the alklinity the next day and itr was at 9.0. i measured it again today and it was at 7.2. what could be the problem?

 

[thomas712]

Are you talking Dkh or what? and what test kit are you using.?

 

[grimm reef]

How much of the buffer did you add at one time, also what is your ph and other levels, when was your last water change

 

[attml]

What is your calcium level at? How much Calcium & Alk demand does your system have?

 

[jugger]

i dont know why but i have to add 1/4 tsp of alk buffer to my 20 gallon EVERY day to keep it at ~3.00 m...not sure why

 

[jauringer]

that doesn't sound that bad to me. what kind of corals are you keeping? I have mainly stonies and I loose 1 dkh every 24 hours.
i trade ya!!!

 

[cope787]

yeah im talking dkh. my calcium level is 400-450ppm which is good. my pH and eveything is good. i have leathers, bubble coral, and brain coral. also star polyps. i use the salifert alk/dkh test kit. i add about 2 teaspons for 55g.

 

[dburr]

Same here to. Mine will always drop to about 4.0 DKh and hang their if I don't keep an eye on it. It doesn't drop any more than that, don't know why. I think it's just every tank is different, the chemistry is different.
7.2 is really not bad, low yes, but shouldn't be a problem if all the other numbers are in-line. Remember, don't move any numbers to quickly, that could cause more of a problem than the low number itself.
Dan

 

[jugger]

Originally posted by jauringer
that doesn't sound that bad to me. what kind of corals are you keeping? I have mainly stonies and I loose 1 dkh every 24 hours.
i trade ya!!!
some acros...digitatas...clam....hammer...frog....fungia.....candy....blasta.... but if you say thats normal then ok