Alk levels fluctuating

[JenniferL]

My alkalinity levels are never stable. They are constantly ranging from 6.7 to 8.2. If I don't dose they stay at around 6.7dkh. I can get them up if I dose but they fall back in about a few days. Last dosed on April 28 and levels were 8.2dkh.

Today my reading are
pH 8.2
alkalinity 6.72
mag 1375mg/L
calcium 420

every thing else is at 0ppm except nitrates at 5ppm. I don't test these that often anymore. Is it okay to leave my alk at this level. Everything else is at the right levels so I hate to adjust too much and have calcium drop.

[fishytime]

how often are you dosing?

[JenniferL]

I dose about once a week. Once I dose it goes up to 8.2 but is down the next day again. Is it possible that I should be dosing everyday? When I do dose my calcium drops to about 380 then. Will raising my mag a little more help with keeping my calcium in the 400-420 range while bringing my alk up to about 8?

[fishytime]

the big three (Ca Mg and DKH) need to be in balance.....if your DKH is droping that much between dosing then you do indeed need to dose more often....all three are easier to maintain when they are at "ideal" levels:wink:

[chris88]

I have to does every two days and i use 1tbs of baking soda each time. My dkh drops 2 every two days. I try to keep it at 10.

[kien]

some of us dose every single day, or utilize a doser to dose every single hour of the day in little increments.

[globaldesigns]

I agree with the others. Personally I have figured out my daily dosage of DKH, MG, Str, Cal and Trace Elements... Doing it everyday is a pain sometimes, but good for the tank and things are stable.