Advice? alkalinity

I was finally able to test and my alkalinity came back at 2.5. I know I need to dose to bring it up but what would cause it to be so low when everything else tests normal. My ro water comes thru a water softener first, would that mess up anything?

--- Auto-Merged, Aug 16, 2015, Original Post: Aug 16, 2015 ---

Admin please delete, I can't figure out how from my phone

 

Did you get it figured out

 

Yes, stupid mistake. I used the wrong equation to figure out dkh. It's 7.28 not 2.5. Thanks though

 

I have done that before so your not the only one

 

It was my first time testing alk. Only been in the game a couple months. Lol.

 

This was my first test, up until this point everything else has been stable except calc which has been at 500. Using io reef crystals and tank has only been up a couple months, couple corals and cuc in tank at the moment

 

Thats pretty normal for reef crystals im surprised your alk isnt testing higher also

 

I'm hoping my alk is only low due to using soft water. I switched my ro system, will keep an eye on things in weeks to come.

 

It's nice to keep an eye on your alk/calc/Mg but don't get too caught up in chasing the perfect number. If everything looks happy and is growing well stability can be an important part of life as well

 

That's what I'm trying to work on. Learning as much as I can now before I have to much life in my tank incase something goes wrong

 

Is it normal for a system to eat up alk, but not calcium or mag. I test weekly and everything comes back normal but my alk. I test that a couple times a week when I can

 

Do you have corals in the tank now? Things seem to absorb Alk faster than they do Ca and Mg.

 

Couple zoa colonies, some palys and a big piece of monti. I tried searching but could find any. Didn't know if things got used at the same rate or at different rates. Thanks

--- Auto-Merged, Oct 23, 2015, Original Post: Oct 23, 2015 ---

Thinking of switching products. What are people using for alkalinity?

 

I use Soda Ash from Bulk Reef Supply.
BRS Bulk Soda Ash (Sodium Carbonate) Aquarium Supplement - Bulk Reef Supply

 

I find with Alk that I go through so much of it that the BRS is a nice bargain for the quantity.