Levels fluctuating

[IronChefItaly]

Originally Posted by TimT

I doubt it's a test kit issue if your using quality kits. Titration method testing is more accurate for Ca, Alk and Mag then the digital colorimeter tests. Info direct from Lamotte technical support.

My suspicion is it could be related to carbon dioxide levels in the house and consequently in the tank. How does your pH fluctuate during a day? Monitor it over a week long period, say every 3 or 4 hours. There may be a correlation between co2 levels in the tank(lower pH) and the alk issue. ie High co2 would cause the alk to be depleted in the tank.

Cheers,
Tim

That is a very valid point regarding the relationship between CO₂ and alkalinity – see link below that illustrates this very well.
http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-09/rhf/

Before you toss your doser and head for a calcium reactor, have you ever calibrated your doser or checked the consistency of each dose? In any case, at 200+ ml of alkalinity and calcium solution a day I'd say you're definitely in the range where a calcium reactor will be more economical in the long term – and as others mentioned, it will keep your values ever so slightly more consistent.

[iceman86]

Hey guys, just back for an update. I stopped dosing calcium for a few days and just dosed alk until the levels dropped to cal 430, kh 8. In the meantime I picked up a calcium reactor and put it in. My levels have perfectly stable since then.

Thank you for all the help!!!

[Myka]

Awesome thanks for the update!