alk

[liferuiner055]

what happens when alk is too high. what exactly is too high?

 

[bertoni]

Well, that depends on high high the alkalinity is. The usual recommended zone is 7-11 dKH. When pushed higher, the tank might show some calcium carbonate precipitation, and there have been reports of animal loss with higher levels, as well.

 

[liferuiner055]

hmm my alk was at like 6 2 weeks ago, and i used marine buffer over the 2 weeks then test again today and it said 15 drops. i only used the buffer twice and the amount it told me. my ph is at 8.3 but my alk was at like 15. that seems strange. the test kit was at my work in the backroom, so maybe it was a bad one. i dont know, could that be right?

 

[bertoni]

Marine Buffer is designed for fish-only systems, and I wouldn't use it in a reef tank. It contains a lot of borate, which provides alkalinity, but can't be used by corals for their skeletons. The test kit might be correct, but I'd get a second opinion.

 

[liferuiner055]

ahh, thats no good. ok well, if that is the case and its not going to be used by coral, whats the solution. big water change?

 

[bertoni]

I would do a series of 20-25% water changes, at this point, to help remove the borate from the system. Larger changes can cause problems in some cases, so I avoid them. I don't see a need to rush.

 

[liferuiner055]

alright will do thanks. thats such a bummer, haha cuz i just figure out what the issue is with the low ph..too low alk. then this stuff doesnt say that about the borate being useless to coral. oh well. i guess thats how is goes sometimes. thanks again.

 

[bertoni]

You're welcome! Good luck!