Alkalinity sink
 

well after tracking the alk depleation in my tank for the last week, I have come up with a depleation rate of 1.1dkh/day (24 hour) period.

my Ca is steady at 395ppm, temp steady at 79 degrees with a 0.5 temp swing. PH is 8.0 as always.

so I guess my question is that does that amount of Alk depleation seam high and if so what is contrubiting to it?

Steve

This might provide the answer.

yup, I have seen that befor and understand that, but I am looking at a very high Alk depleation rate.. just looking for a reason for the amount not that itis depleating. I personaly am leaning to wards it being used up by the corals but I am looking for other reasons that I might have overlooked.

Steve

Steve how about other water parameters? Do you always have pH at 8.0?Acid presence from some organic matter decomposition might cause rapid depletion as well. I had similar problem in my tank in the past. A few major water changes (about 30%) over period of 10-14 days fixed the problem. Yes, calcium level was just fine during the whole time.

my PH is always between 7.8 and 8.0. as for the decomposition I think this might be a little of the problem.. I did lose a little bit of coral befor I got the chiller. so this might play a part .. as well as a couple snails that decided to cook themselves. I guess I just got to keep watching it and see what it does. I am going to be doing a 50% water change soon here when I pull out the restof the sand bed.

Steve

Let us know after your annual water change!! :razz:

Steve, do you have AC and have your windows closed most of the time? Is your abode newer and possibly air tight? If so, you probably have high CO2 levels in your house which is contributing to the depressed pH. If not, I don't know what the heck the problem is :confused:

nope, none of the above.. I in the old house I had every window open and the door right beside the tank and it is still that much.. I think it is because of the low PH of the make up water as no matter what I do it is always in that range.. also I don't feel that that PH is realy depressed. I think anywhere between 7.8 and 8.2 would be a normal range myself.

Steve

Steve whats your mag. like

Mike

um, would have to look at my book to be sure and I am stuck at work overnight but I think it was 1350ppm

Steve