Calcium & Alkalinity Issues

[TwoShoesOrOne]

How do I know

How do I know

Your fix is an easy one.

If your calcium and magnesium are both at the correct parameters, and your elevated alkalinity isn't causing any problems to your livestock, I'd simply leave it to come down on its own over time.

How do I know if it is causing problems to livestock? I don't want to risk waiting until something dies.

 

[bertoni]

A long time ago, people ran tanks at 18 dKH for years because they thought it would increase growth. It didn't seem to cause harm. It seems possible for some tanks, particularly those that get carbon dosing, to have problems with higher dKH levels, but it's rare, and you'd have seen dead corals by now if that were an issue. We don't have a lot of hard data on the topic.

 

[dava6711]

A long time ago, people ran tanks at 18 dKH for years because they thought it would increase growth. It didn't seem to cause harm. It seems possible for some tanks, particularly those that get carbon dosing, to have problems with higher dKH levels, but it's rare, and you'd have seen dead corals by now if that were an issue. We don't have a lot of hard data on the topic.

You're a great guy to have on this board, helping aquarists by passing on your wealth of great knowledge.

 

[bertoni]

You are very kind.

 

[nereefpat]

Thanks for the update.

Evidence that getting Mg close to natural seawater parameters will help with Alk trouble.

 

[Uncle99]

How do I know if it is causing problems to livestock? I don't want to risk waiting until something dies.

Leathers are affected by high Alk, they will "œlie down" then come apart.

The most important factor is no the level but the consistency.