Help, Help, Help..tank levels off!

[Hens4Fish]

Hey,
So I just checked my tank levels and my alkalinity is way low, like 40. My nitrates are kind of high, about 20-30. So how do I raise the alk. without a substitute additive. I have been slowly removing my bio balls in the hopes that my nitrates will go down. Any help, is great.
Bill

 

[Paintbug]

without a substitute additive your left with water changes. i am assuming your reading is in ppm right? water changes will raise the alk back up. what type of salt are you using by the way?

 

[Hens4Fish]

I use coralife. I have not done a water change in a while. Thanks for the advice. Is there a better salt to use?

 

[Paintbug]

well im not a big fan of coralife, since they are the ones that messed up Kent Marine salt (long story). as far as the best, there isnt one. every salt has its +'s and -'s. i still use Kent Marine myself. if you havent done a water change in a while, then that should help. alk will drop in a tank if it is not replaced, as well as calcium, and others. be sure to test you fresh salt water before you add it, just to make sure the alk levels are ok before hand.