Having a hard time getting my alkalinity up.

[lakedawgs]

Hi,

I have a Fluval EVO 13.5, 11 gal net volume.  It has been up and running for a couple of months.  I had almost no cycle as I used live rock from a friend's tank that was transported submerged in water from his 90 gallon reef.

I cannot seem to get my alkalinity up to where I would like it, about 8.

I am using B-Ionic part A and B.  I have read that you should use these in even amounts but my calcium #s are good.

Take a look at my #s below please and let me know what you think.

 

Thanks much,

Lakedawgs

 

	Calcium	Magnesium	Alkalinity		Dosing
Sunday 3/13/22	490	1380	8.5	Mixed Saltwater
Monday 3/14/22	480	1320	6.1	Aquarium Sample
Tuesday 3/15/22	450	1320	5.4	Aquarium Sample
Wednesday 3/16/22	445	1320	4.9	Aquarium Sample
Thursday 3/17/22	440	1320	4.8	Aquarium Sample	3ml A&C
Friday 3/18/22	420	1320	4.5	Aquarium Sample	3ml A&C
Saturday 3/19/22				17.5% Water Change	3ml A&C
Sunday 3/20/22					3ml A&C
Monday 3/21/22	440		4.8	Aquarium Sample	3ml A&C
Tuesday 3/22/22					3ml A&C
Wednesday 3/23/22			5.80	Aquarium Sample	3ml A&C
Thursday 3/24/22					4ml A & 3ml C
Friday 3/25/22			5.80	Aquarium Sample	4ml A & 3ml C
Saturday 3/26/22					5ml A & 3ml C
Saturday 3/26/22	480	1420	10.00	Mixed Saltwater
Sunday 3/27/22					5ml A & 3ml C
Monday 3/28/22					5ml A & 3ml C
Tuesday 3/29/22	480		7.00	Aquarium Sample
Wednesday 3/30/22
Thursday 3/31/22

 

 

[Jaren45]

Is there anything in the tank currently? Lots of coral or even coralline algae can uptake alkalinity quite fast. Also what test kit are these being done with?

[lakedawgs]

Sorry, my bad.

The tank currently has 7 very small frags.  Some zoas, palys, leptos and sps.

No fish, a couple of snails and a blue leg hermit.

[seabass]

You don't need to use part A and B in equal amounts.  However, in general, they are formulated so that normal consumption by corals is replaced with equal parts of each.  Although there is no reason that you can't dose more of one (or just one) to achieve your target values.

 

You can use the linked dKH calculator to help determine the dose you need:  https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/reef-calculator/alkalinity-calculator-reef

Choose E.S.V. B-Ionic (Part A) as the product.