How to lower alkalinity.

[Cannon7]

Hey guys,

I've tried searching but no luck. How can I lower alkalinity? It's at 13.7 and I can't bring it down. My other parameters and info are below and tested with salifert. I'm trying to ultimately keep sps.

55g with sump, 5+ years old but with fowlr
Water from Vivid aquarium
T5 Tek lighting with 6 ATI bulbs 5 months old (6" from water)
Salinity: 1.025
Calcium: 460
Magnesium: 1500
Others are normal.

I have polyps (lost color in the 2 months they've been in there), frog spawn (don't extend all the way), powder brown tang, 3 chromis and a mandarin goby.

All lot of info but any input will help.

Thank you!

 

[Neptune_Fan]

water changes... confused though as you say water is from vivid aquarium, are you saying that they have high alk as well?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Waiting for it to drop on it's own is usually the best option.

How are you measuring it?

What salt mix (some start close to that, so water changes won't necessarily help)?

Are you adding any supplements?

 

[Cannon7]

I haven't checked Vivids water, I'll try that.
I do 5% WC every week. I've been checking for the last three months and it doesn't budge.
I'm not sure what salt mix they use but I believe it's brightwell or red sea.
No supplements used and I test with salifert.

 

[Steve175]

Suspect a testing error. Buy a 2nd kit (Hanna or Red Seas) or ask a buddy (or the guys at Vivid) to double check for you before you do anything dramatic.
(To be clear: I trust and use Salifert, but find it hard to compute that your Alk is that high without a reactor or additives).

 

[Cannon7]

Might be the test. I tested their water and got the same results, 13.7. Would keeping the water in a container for a few days change the alk?

 

[bertoni]

Not unless the container got hot or froze. I am skeptical about the test kit.

 

[Cannon7]

Thanks for the input guys.

 

[hypnoj]

I've overdosed KH in my tank. I know it's not a test error or salt mix error. Is there really no other way to lower my KH then by water changes or just waiting it out?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Yes, you can add a mineral acid, such as hydrochloric acid. It lowers pH and alkalinity, with the risk being it would be easy to overshoot and cause much worse problems than slightly elevated alkalinity. Waiting is usually a much better option.

 

[hypnoj]

thanks Randy

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

You're welcome.

If you want to resort to acid, check out this thread:

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1530419