Hard Sand Bed

[TnReefer]

I have had the same problem with my sand bed. It almost turns to cement if you don't keep it broken up. My alk. and cal. went up and down and up and down.
I finally decided to buy a calcium reactor. They are expensive but in the long run they are worth it. You don't have to buy additives to keep your alk. and cal. up. Your tank stays stable which keeps your corals from getting stressed out over the constent yo-yoing of Alk. and Cal.
I have also read that with a reactor you will not have the problem of clumping sand or it will not be as bad. I don't know if this is true or not since my sand was badly clumped when I started using the reactor.
I know from experience that it is aggravating.
Good luck.
TnReefer