KH too high

[currentking]

I tested it and it is at about 120, How do I lower it?

 

[dtaranath]

Is that number in mg/L (ppm) CaCO3? If so, then it's actually low. you want your alkalinity to be between 140-200, or 8-12 dkH.

Are you using Hagen test kits?

 

[currentking]

yes i am. it said to put 1 drop of solution each time till it turns color and I added 12.

 

[drummereef]

If that's in ppm CaCO3, then it's actually low. 7-11dkh, 2.5-4meq/L, or 125-196.4ppm CaCO3 are recommended values.

What test kit are you using?
What are you dosing to raise alkalinity?

 

[dtaranath]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10251866#post10251866 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by currentking
yes i am. it said to put 1 drop of solution each time till it turns color and I added 12.

The problem with Hagen test kits is that the instructions tell you that above 125 "contact your reef aquarium specialist". That's misleading. As I said in the previous post, and mentioned in the post before this, you are too low. You should shoot for 17 drops, which will make your ppm 170, or 9.5-10.0 dkH.

 

[currentking]

how would I raise it?

 

[dtaranath]

there are a variety of alkalinity buffers on the market. Kent Tech CB is a good one.

 

[currentking]

add more of the buffer a+b?

 

[dtaranath]

yes

 

[kevin2000]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10251960#post10251960 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by currentking
add more of the buffer a+b?

Commercial buffers are mostly bicarbonate (baking soda), carbonate (washing soda) and a little borate/boron (20 mule team borax).

You can use simple baking soda to increase your alkalinity level.

Heres a chemistry calculator that will help you determine how much you will need. Just make sure you use the actual water in the tank rather than the tank size.

http://home.comcast.net/~jdieck1/chemcalc.html

 

[Lotus99]

I think the comment about "contact your aquarium dealer" is meant for freshwater. Even then, there's nothing necessarily wrong with that level in freshwater.

 

[dtaranath]

except that Hagen's KH test is specifically for saltwater, but they have a different GH test for freshwater.