alkalinity

[PresseA]

ive got a 55 tank with 50lbs live rock and 4 damsels.my water quality is

ammonia=0
nitrite=0
nitrate=around 5
ph=8.0-8.1
calcium=420
alkalinity=24 dkh

i know that the alkalinity should be around 10or 12 but is that 24 a problem that needs imediate repair or is it nothing to worry about?

 

[mbbuna]

what are you adding to raise your Alk?

 

[bertoni]

You can probably let it drop on its own, and just supplement calcium for the time being. If you're using a buffer to control pH, that might cause this problem.

 

[PresseA]

im only using essential elements and kalkwasser.

 

[bertoni]

Hmm, I woud avoid using the Kent Essential Elements since it's uncontrolled dosing of a mix of ingredients. You might want to check some freshly-mixed salt, since that alkalinity is far too high. You might have gotten a bad batch.

 

[Paintbug]

what test kit are you using?

 

[PresseA]

im using a fast test test kit for alk.

 

[Paintbug]

i havent heard alot about those kits. may want to stop by the LFS and double check your reading. 24 dKH is EXTREMELY high. i would say check your salt as well. just mix up a cup full of water or two at the SG you keep your tank at, and check that waters alk level. how new is the tank? most the time your alk will be high and your calc will be low and they work themselves out until they are balanced.

 

[bertoni]

I've used the FasTest alkalinity kit. It has worked well for me, although any kit can expire, etc.

 

[PresseA]

my tank is 2 months old

 

[Billybeau1]

What brand salt ?

 

[PresseA]

i actualy never mix my own water. i buy premade RO water that has the salt in it. im not sure what brand salt but i know its reef salt.

 

[Billybeau1]

I would definitly test the salt mix you are buying before you put it in the tank. If the alk is still high in that I'd say something to the seller.

 

[PresseA]

i tested the alk yesturday and got 9.6. the problem was that the dropper on thekit makes it difficult to get single droplets.

 

[Billybeau1]

I used to use fastest. I found you've got to shake out the air so your drops are even before you start dropping in the test tube. I use Salifert now. Much less margin for error.

 

[bertoni]

Hmm, I agree that you're likely having testing problems. You do need to be careful with the bottle of titrant for the FasTest kit.