Maintaining alkalinity in nano tank
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creekmaster - Posts: 2
- Joined: Thu Oct 10, 2024 6:51 pm
Maintaining alkalinity in nano tank
My alkalinity keeps dropping in my 10-gallon nano tank. I'm dosing kalkwasser but it's not cutting it. Anyone got tips for keeping it stable without messing with pH too much?
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reelmaster - Posts: 12
- Joined: Sun Jul 03, 2022 4:18 pm
Re: Maintaining alkalinity in nano tank
What's your current alk level, and how often are you testing? In nanos, small changes hit hard. I'd switch to a two-part dosing system like B-Ionic for better control.
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vimster - Posts: 20
- Joined: Mon Sep 25, 2023 12:04 am
Re: Maintaining alkalinity in nano tank
Kalk can be tricky in small tanks. Have you checked your magnesium levels? Low mag can make alk bounce around. Also, what's your coral load like?creekmaster wrote: ↑Wed Aug 13, 2025 3:25 pm My alkalinity keeps dropping in my 10-gallon nano tank. I'm dosing kalkwasser but it's not cutting it. Anyone got tips for keeping it stable without messing with pH too much?
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lad - Posts: 11
- Joined: Sat Feb 17, 2024 11:11 pm
Re: Maintaining alkalinity in nano tank
I had the same issue in my 15-gallon. Switched to daily water changes with Red Sea Coral Pro salt, and it leveled out. Maybe try that?
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Fable4 - Posts: 2
- Joined: Thu Oct 10, 2024 7:38 pm
Re: Maintaining alkalinity in nano tank
Yo, nanos are finicky beasts. I'd ditch the kalk and go for a steady two-part. Also, check your dosing pump if you're using one—sometimes they're sketchy with small volumes.
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blumina - Posts: 7
- Joined: Fri May 26, 2023 8:54 am
Re: Maintaining alkalinity in nano tank
I'm new to this, but my LFS told me to use Seachem Reef Builder. It's been working okay, but my tank's only got soft corals.
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neonwing - Posts: 10
- Joined: Thu Oct 10, 2024 3:44 am
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creekmaster - Posts: 2
- Joined: Thu Oct 10, 2024 6:51 pm
Re: Maintaining alkalinity in nano tank
Thanks for the suggestions, everyone. I'll test mag and look into two-part dosing. Appreciate the help.
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reelmaster - Posts: 12
- Joined: Sun Jul 03, 2022 4:18 pm
Re: Maintaining alkalinity in nano tank
Let us know how it goes. And yeah, mag is key—keep it around 1350 ppm for stability.
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vimster - Posts: 20
- Joined: Mon Sep 25, 2023 12:04 am
Re: Maintaining alkalinity in nano tank
Also, if you're running a skimmer, dial it back a bit. Over-skimming can strip alk faster than you can replace it.