Unable To Raise Alkalinity

[clamfoot]

I have a 75g. reef tank. I am unable to raise my alkalinity above 8.0 dKH. On Sep.12 it was at 8.0 dKH. I have added 1 teaspoon of alkalinity booster every day since then and today (sep.19) it measured 8.0 dKH. I have been using "Reef Builder" a Seachem product to try and raise it. I maintain my Calcium between 375ppm. and 400ppm. with "Reef Advantage". My pH runs between 8.05 and 8.25. Where is all the Reef Builder product going and why won't it raise the alkalinity? I have seen nothing precipitate out as of yet. But I'm afraid to add any more Reef Builder. I guess I should ask, do I even have a problem?
Thanks

 

[randy holmes-farley]

A teaspoon of reef builder is about 5 g. If we assume that it is mostly sodium bicarbonate, then that would contain something like 60 milliequivelents of alkalinity. When you put that into your 75 gallon (284 L) tank, you should expect to raise alkalinity by about 60/284 = 0.21 milliequivalents, or by a dKh of 0.6 per day.

Since it is not going up, the organisms in the tank are likely consuming that amount of alkalinity each day (assuming that your kits are correct). You don't say what's in the tank, so we cannot assess if this is reasonable or not, but it's not especially unusual. A 75 gallon tank filled with SPS corals will use far more than that.

 

[danmhippo]

What is the make of your test kit? Did the instruction ask you to fill up another syringe of regent if the color of water does not change?

 

[Mike&Pam]

I just raised my alk a few weeks ago using reefbuilder. I was able to with no problems. Just use the appropriate amount accofding to the instructions on the label. In my case, I have a 90 gal, so I dosed about 1 1/4 teaspoon TWICE a day. I just mad sure to do these dosages about 8 hours apart. Follow the instructions. I think each dosage raises it about .25 meq. So, divide that into how much you want to raise it and that's how many dosages you'll need. Also, on the days I would add my calcium, I made sure to do it in between reef builder dosages (about 4 hours after the morning dose). Good luck!

Mike