Alk problem

[chrisalmand]

I don't know what it is, but I cannot seem to get my alk below 15. I've done 2 20 gallon water changes in the past 2 weeks and the alk in my tank stays the same. I dose Calcium, Mag, Stromium, and drip kalk every night but have not dosed alk in a month or 2.

 

[curtis hi-tech]

What kind of test kit are you using and have you tried other ones for a comparison?

 

[Gilby]

check your tests. you may need to get some different tests or get tested at LFS. This happened to me, I thought my alk was high, my test showed it at 17dkh so i went and bought new tests and had the LFS test it and it was normal, 9dkh.

 

[MCsaxmaster]

1) Are you using tapwater in the tank?

2) Kalk provides both calcium AND alkalinity

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Some calcium supplements also supply alkalinity, such as Tropic Marin Biocalcium or Seachem's polygluconate calcium.

 

[chrisalmand]

I use rodi water. Any advise?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Stop using limewater, or use less, if you want the alkalinity to drop.

Just be totally clear that you are not using any other alkalinity additives: no pH buffers, etc.

What are you using for calcium and magnesium and strontium?

 

[tbar]

Some calcium supplements also supply alkalinity, such as Tropic Marin Biocalcium or Seachem's polygluconate calcium.

I used Tropic Marin Bio Calcium the last couple of days to bring cal up but now my alk is at 16 dkh. I guess it will fall on it's own over time. What are the negative effects of having high alk?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Bingo!!!!!!!

Tropic Marin Biocalcium is a balanced calcium and alkalinity supplement, despite the confusing English label that does not make that clear. Stop using it if alkalinity is high.

It will fall on its own in a few days.

 

[tbar]

I'm not using it anymore. Thanks Randy The label didn't say anything about alk, it just said it doesn't alter PH.

 

[tbar]

I'm not using it anymore. Thanks Randy The label didn't say anything about alk, it just said it doesn't alter PH.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

No, the label is badly worded to say the least.

Good luck.