High alkilinity

Question
I can't seem to get my alkalinity in line.  I am at 15 drops and have been struggling with it for 2 1/2 months now.  I use RO water for water changes, my Cal levels are at 550 and my Mag levels are around 1500.  Hardly noticeable Nitrates.  When I first started my ALK level was 28 drops to change the water and I melted a lot of beautiful coral.  Just haven't been able to get it back to a manageable level to put what is left of my corals back where they belong.  Got any suggestions?

Answer
Hi Casey,

To help maintain alkalinity in the long run, which (alkalinity) is essentially a (measurement of water's ability to neutralize acids - "aka" is a measure of the buffering capacity of a system) you may want to consider adding a good substrate containing aragonite once a year. You would add the substrates containing aragonite in small amounts, and you wouldn't completely change out your older substrate, as to not disturb the beneficial bacteria.

There are of course various methods to maintain alkalinity, however one of the very best ways to maintain alkalinity in (dedicated reef invertebrates systems) is the employment of a calcium reactor (properly maintained and adjusted accordingly). As most aquarists already know, calcium reactors are vessels filled with calcium carbonate material that is slowly dissolved with a supply of carbon dioxide.

Regarding Alkalinity: The alkalinity of water in regards to pH merely refers to the basic end of a pH scale (alkaline) in contrast to the acidic end of the scale, and does not reflect the buffering capacity of a system. It is easy to believe that water with alkaline pH is likely to be high in alkalinity (buffering capacity). However, this is not necessarily true. Water with a high pH, but a low alkalinity is regarded as unstable. Such water will quickly decline in pH with the natural accumulation of organic acids in aquarium systems. This would be the need for adding a good aragonite substrate which will in the long run help to correctly stabilize the system without drastically changing it.

See the (CaribSea Aragamax Oolitic Select Reef Sand Substrate) link below for information on this quality product.

http://www.ocreef.com/caribsea_aragamax_oolitic_select_reef_sand_substrate_30_lb...

See the KNOP Calcium reactor C link below for information on this quality product.

http://www.ocreef.com/knop_calcium_reactor_c?category_id=408

Regards,
Dave

All Experts - Editor

OCReef.com - Director