Alk consumption gradually decreasing ..
- Thread starter newfly
- Start date
Your statements on the first parts are aligned with my statement, but the implication you're drawing is different.
My statement is:
* January 1, you add in new GFO. Your alk consumption is elevated to be `coral + GFO`
* February 1, your GFO is fully depleted or removed, your consumption drops to just be `coral`
* February 15th, your coral start having issues (possibly unrelated), your consumption drops further to just `slow coral`
The outcome is a direct effect, measured as the difference in alk consumption having dropped from earlier to now.
Looks great previously. I apologize for not being clearer before, but I'd try some standard 20% water changes on a standard schedule next time.
Sucks it is continuing sideways
, but you're one step closer to debugging since you have a bit more info now. If something extreme happens after a water change, I'd take a look at your water change:
1. Was the alk & salinity & temp matched? A big drop immediately seems like maybe something is going on there
2. How are you RODI filters and water mixing setup? A big water change assumes that new water going in is good versus the old, but depleted filters can make that not true. I had an issue for awhile where I thought my filters were good, but they weren't. Auto top offs were incrementally causing issues, and water changes exacerbated issues. Also I had a broken mixing pump one time that caused some losses
Maybe switch to checking outside of the tank things, and letting it chill a bit.
My sympathies. It'll eventually rebound back, even if it takes time and coral replacements.
newfly
Supporting Member
My normal routine is 15% WC. This (massive WC) is a one off change , hoping to reset whatever issue i have with the tank.Looks great previously. I apologize for not being clearer before, but I'd try some standard 20% water changes on a standard schedule next time.
Sucks it is continuing sideways
If something extreme happens after a water change, I'd take a look at your water change:
1. Was the alk & salinity & temp matched? A big drop immediately seems like maybe something is going on there
2. How are you RODI filters and water mixing setup? A big water change assumes that new water going in is good versus the old, but depleted filters can make that not true. I had an issue for awhile where I thought my filters were good, but they weren't. Auto top offs were incrementally causing issues, and water changes exacerbated issues. Also I had a broken mixing pump one time that caused some losses
Maybe switch to checking outside of the tank things, and letting it chill a bit.
My sympathies. It'll eventually rebound back, even if it takes time and coral replacements.
1. I didn;t check Alk in the new water. But temp is close. I check Alk in the main tank after the change and its within range.
2. RODI outputing 0 tds. Unless the tds meter is off,
yeah, letting it chill. Unfortunately, i will be away btw Xmas to New Year. I can monitor most parameters remotely with Hydros and Alkatronic.
Things stabilize regarding losses?
newfly
Supporting Member
Hard to tell. It goes up one day, down another. At least no major deterioration.
I also realized my cal and mag test kit expired. I’ll pick up a new kit over the weekend. Icp should be out end of next week as well.
newfly
Supporting Member
updates
Monti sentosa colony continue to have small sign of stress. Turning white at a corner. Nothing major yet.
Parameters is ok.
Alk 8.3
Phosphate 0.02 ( not running gfo, just carbon)
Nitrate 6.5
Alk consumption stabilize so far. Now dosing 65ml soda ash daytime and 1.4l kalk at night.
Some early cyano/dinos . Running a small 7w UV.
Monti sentosa colony continue to have small sign of stress. Turning white at a corner. Nothing major yet.
Parameters is ok.
Alk 8.3
Phosphate 0.02 ( not running gfo, just carbon)
Nitrate 6.5
Alk consumption stabilize so far. Now dosing 65ml soda ash daytime and 1.4l kalk at night.
Some early cyano/dinos . Running a small 7w UV.
Alexander1312
Supporting Member
I would be concerned with the relationship between the low PO4 and higher alk parameters and aim to increase the PO4 values. Also, the kalk will continue to decrease the PO4 values and they might be already bottomed out at this point given the potential for testers to have an accepted inaccuracy threshold.
newfly
Supporting Member
Random acro. I don’t even know the names. The latest casualty is birdnest. However for the birdnest , it’s been overtaken by stylo, so the death may be just that. A tidy frag like 1-2 inches.
There is a slight risk of MEN since I got some frag from someone with MEN. Haven’t seen one
newfly
Supporting Member
I have been feeding heavy. Gha is growing but not overtaking the tank yet. Bristle worms are fat and happy.
yeah PO4 is low ish side. It’s going to increase . I assume as long as it’s not zero, I’m okay. Is that not the case?
Alexander1312
Supporting Member
Maybe the GHA is taking out all the phosphate. WIth nitrate, I would be ok just showing higher than 0, with phosphate, I would not ride it too low and have a higher buffer than 0. The Hanna phosphate checker has +/- 0.02 accuracy tolerance so you could be a 0, theoretically. With higher alk (higher than 7.5) low nutrients become an issue for SPS.
newfly
Supporting Member
my Alk is not that high. I can slowly reduce it to 7.5
newfly
Supporting Member
Ordered a new salifert calcium and mag test. I knew I have high ca and mag, but didn’t realized it’s really high. My previous test kit is 2+ yrs old and expired.
Ca - 490
Mag - 1500
I got really curious where the high mag comes from. I do dose 1-1 ca and all, so my fault really following common recommendations.
I tested the fresh saltwater and indeed the value matches my tank . No surprises as I did a lot of water change over the last months.
I mixed a new batch ( new package of salt) and it’s also very high.
Naturally I stop dosing calcium. Haven’t dose mag for a while, so nothing to do.
What’s my option? Maybe this is the smoking gun? Buy new salt and do more wc to reduce both parameters?
Any suggestions?
Ca - 490
Mag - 1500
I got really curious where the high mag comes from. I do dose 1-1 ca and all, so my fault really following common recommendations.
I tested the fresh saltwater and indeed the value matches my tank . No surprises as I did a lot of water change over the last months.
I mixed a new batch ( new package of salt) and it’s also very high.
Naturally I stop dosing calcium. Haven’t dose mag for a while, so nothing to do.
What’s my option? Maybe this is the smoking gun? Buy new salt and do more wc to reduce both parameters?
Any suggestions?
Alexander1312
Supporting Member
What do you mean your fresh saltwater matches your tank? Are you saying the CA and MG you measured in your fresh SW is 490 and 1500 respectively? Which salt are you using?
H2OPlayar
Supporting Member
I say this to almost everyone, lol
newfly
Supporting Member
Yes. Fresh sw have high ca and mag. I’m using aqua forest salt
