Help w/ High Alkalinity

[plyle02]

Help, I have a 55 main tank, with a 20 gallon sump w/ euro-reef skimmer, and a 20 gallon refugium postioned above main tank. I use Salifert to test for calcium and Alkalinity. I have been dripping Kalk 24-7, and adding ESV stronthium once per week, ESV magnesium every other day, ESV 2 part calcium once per week, and Kent Iodine once a week as well. My recent tests of calcium have been cool, right around 425. However, my alkalinity won't even test, I have to add more of the dropper solution to get a reaction. This obviously tells me I am off the charts, way too high! My other parameters are well with nitrate at 5-10 ppm, ammonia 0, nitrite 0, however, my ph is a little lower than I would like, at 8.0-8.2 depending on what time of day I test. I use a reverse light cycle from refugium to main tank. All livestock seem ok, well expanded corals and happy fish. I just want to avoid any potential dissasters. Any suggestions? I asked my LFS, and was told to stop on all additives, and give the tank a week or so and check again. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[jasob]

If it were my tank I would stop adding any alkalinity supplements right now as your LFS suggested. Make sure to keep your Calcium levels ok though. Alkalinity will correct itself overtime and then just keep testing a few hours after dosing so you can come up with a better schedule of dosing so it doesn't get out of control again.

Also I think you could change large amounts of water to bring the alkalinity to specs. That is if you are sure you're test kit is reading accurately. I would recommend just leaving alkalinity alone and letting it settle slowly to avoid any livestock shock.

The problem should remedy itself.

 

[Paintbug]

i would stop dosing anything you are not testing for. Iodine, Strontium, and Magnesium especially! there should not be a need to add them as often as you are, if at all.

water changes will help get the alk back where it needs to be. until it does get there, stop dosing the kalk, and keep the calcium up with the calc part of the 2 part.

 

[plyle02]

Thanks for the reply,
Based on the previous replies and some info I gathered, I will stop all additions of any supplements whatsoever. I have been using Instant Ocean since day one with R/O water. Any feedback on the salt I am using, or suggestions on using another brand to keep a better balance. Also, I don't use any biological filtration, sponges, only a carbon sock in the sump with live rock. Thanks, I appreciate all of you guys help....
Perry

 

[mg426]

You might try IO reef Crystals.

 

[plyle02]

I think I narrowed down where my problem lies... I tested my replacement salt water with my r/o and I have high alk before the water hits the tank (during water change). I tested my r/o, and the alk was low, like I thought it would be. Can anyone recommend a solution or brand of salt with a lower alk? Is this normal, and the alkalinity will correct itself over time? Everything seems ok in the tank, and I have not dosed with anything, just using r/o for top off.

 

[plyle02]

By the way, off the topic, but some crazy stuff going down here in Lakeland, FL today!