High kh reading?

[clk17]

So ive done this test 3 times to make sure and ive had to put 14 drops of the kh test solution into the tube which means my kh is rediculously high?

The instructions say that my ph will also be high if thats the case but its not reallt high is it? Included pics cuz i clearlu have no idea what to do or whats going on

Thanks@

 

[Spyderturbo007]

My first suggestion would be the chuck the API Alkalinity in the trash and pick up a Salifert, Red Sea or Hanna Checker to do the test. The API kits are great for when you're starting out and cycling the tank (pH, Ammonia & Nitrite), but they aren't recommended for anything else.

 

[myram]

What are you using for water?

Are you using a buffer or anything similar?

 

[clk17]

Haha ok, well i AM just starting out, this would be my seccond week with the lr in it but i also have zoas, featherdusters, and some polyps that came on my live rock. yhey have survived so far and would like to keep it that way.

But ill definately look into buying one of those tests.

Thanks!

Also i literally just had tap water with salt in it for about a week, then added LR and two weeks after that brings me to this. I havent added any chemicals or anything of the sort.

 

[Zer0.]

My API alk kit is actually pretty on with my red sea test. of course it doesnt messure down as far only in intervals of 7,8,9 dKH etc. but it gets the main number right.


What salt mix are you using? and at what salinity?

 

[Spyderturbo007]

Haha ok, well i AM just starting out, this would be my seccond week with the lr in it but i also have zoas, featherdusters, and some polyps that came on my live rock. yhey have survived so far and would like to keep it that way.

But ill definately look into buying one of those tests.

Thanks!

Also i literally just had tap water with salt in it for about a week, then added LR and two weeks after that brings me to this. I havent added any chemicals or anything of the sort.

The first thing you need is an RO/Di system. I would recommend a SpectraPure Refurbished unit. It won't break the bank and they make an excellent system. Tap water is a very big "no-no" in this hobby and can lead to all sorts of problems.

You don't need to be testing Alkalinity at this time, since your inhabitants won't be consuming much, meaning regular water changes will handle demand.

How far along are you in your cycle? Have you passed the initial ammonia spike?

 

[clk17]

I used the instant ocean, not the reef one. I wasnt planning on having corals lol

I have yet to have a spike in anything really, i were told those diatoms were good thing, but other than that no amonia spike or anything yet.
My lfs sells pre mixed instant ocean salt water, could i use that? Its only a 45gl tank so i wont need to change much of it.
My salinity is 1.026

 

[Zer0.]

hmm, yeah your salt mix should only mix to about 11 KH at that salinity. Did you say your not using RO/DI? if not that could contribute if you have very hard tapwater. (As previous poster said lots of other reasons why not to use tapwater, nitrates, phosphates, etc.)

If you do need a good RODI Bulk reef supply value plus 4 stage RODI is a really good one for the money as well. I have been really happy with mine.

 

[DDon]

I used the instant ocean, not the reef one. I wasnt planning on having corals lol

I have yet to have a spike in anything really, i were told those diatoms were good thing, but other than that no amonia spike or anything yet.
My lfs sells pre mixed instant ocean salt water, could i use that? Its only a 45gl tank so i wont need to change much of it.
My salinity is 1.026

Buying premixed saltwater from LFS is fine. You will also want to buy ro/di water for topping the tank off for water you lose to evaporation.
It does get old after awhile lugging jugs of water from the store and you may decide in the future to invest in a ro/di unit.

 

[clk17]

Ok ill save up for one then,
This will be a slow process which in some ways is a good thing because rushing never helps. But being a server im broke so ive got to save... shoulda picked a cheaper hobby

So ill buy thr pre mixed for now and take it fromthere to an ro/di system.

Thanks.

Anything i should do now about the kh? Like additives?

 

[Zer0.]

Ok ill save up for one then,
This will be a slow process which in some ways is a good thing because rushing never helps. But being a server im broke so ive got to save... shoulda picked a cheaper hobby

So ill buy thr pre mixed for now and take it fromthere to an ro/di system.

Thanks.

Anything i should do now about the kh? Like additives?

Not sure what you would dose to lower it as most additives are for raising it instead.

I personally wouldnt jack with it. I think it would probably be better to have it high and stable than fluctuating around, but if you do just do it gradually.

 

[NWoods]

By any means, don't feel bad about having a high dkH. I upgraded my reef and in the process was using the wrong salt mix. I started noticing all of my corals bleaching and dying off. My dKh was at 25. I also had almost no calcium in the system, and my magnesium was way off as well. I've since recovered, but if you have no corals or softies (i.e. FOWLR) 14 dKh is not excessivly high. Alk, calcium and magnesium all go together.

 

[Spyderturbo007]

were told those diatoms were good thing, but other than that no amonia spike or anything yet.
My lfs sells pre mixed instant ocean salt water, could i use that? Its only a 45gl tank so i wont need to change much of it.
My salinity is 1.026

If you used all live rock, you might not experience much of a cycle. Have you been monitoring Ammonia, Nitrite and Nitrate on a daily basis? If so, can you post some of your results?

So ill buy thr pre mixed for now and take it fromthere to an ro/di system.

Pre-mixed will be just fine for now, but remember to get some distilled water from the store for your daily top offs.
Thanks.

Anything i should do now about the kh? Like additives?

I wouldn't do anything until you get a more accurate test kit and even then, I think I would let the Alkalinity drop on its own. If you really want to pull it down, you can do it with Hydrochloric Acid, but it isn't necessary in your case. It will be some time before you're ready for any additives and when you are, I suspect that Kalkwasser in your ATO will be sufficient. For now, regular water changes will replenish whatever is depleted in the system.

 

[tvu]

I'm reading 13 dkh with RO water and reef crystals salt using Red Sea foundations test kit.

 

[ken6217]

Nothing wrong with API Alk kit. I have that and LaMotte and I get the same reading.

 

[clk17]

Just a heads up, did a water change, fixed my salinity cuz it was a bit high, tested and it was 12-13ish drops. No ammonia spike at all but everything is running great.

Put my last 15lbs of live and base rock in today. So we will see how it goes. Theres 42 lbs o df rock about 30live, 12base. And i just added reef sand. So in a couple weeks comes clean up crew and then fishies!