my kh never goes down.

[markandkristen]

it stays at around 11.5 to 12
should i just add calcium ..

its around 450

mag is around 1450

but for some reason my kh stays ...

i can add calcium and it wont go down

 

[twon8]

dont' add any calcium, 450 is high enough

 

[markandkristen]

yeah i was going to just let that alone for a week or so.

 

[jdieck]

Without supplementation there are only four things I can think off that keep alkalinity high.
a) High PH salt mix used for water changes, IO and Reef Crystals usually are in the 11 to 12 dKh level.
b) Use of tap water for water changes or top off with high alkalinity content
c) Testing error or defective testing kit
d) unproperly cured artificially made rock or other ornaments using portland cement.

 

[markandkristen]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11023973#post11023973 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jdieck
Without supplementation there are only four things I can think off that keep alkalinity high.
a) High PH salt mix used for water changes, IO and Reef Crystals usually are in the 11 to 12 dKh level.
b) Use of tap water for water changes or top off with high alkalinity content
c) Testing error or defective testing kit
d) unproperly cured artificially made rock or other ornaments using portland cement.

i do use reef crystals.

i use rodi water

i have three different saliferts test kits with different dates and they all point to nearly the same.



i think i am just going to leave the tank alone and see what happens for two weeks.

 

[Serioussnaps]

It matters when you test to. Sorry if you already know this as I am not trying to insult your intelligence, but if you test at the same time every day it isn't going to go down.

Test at the beginning of the photoperiod and at the end. There should be a difference.

 

[markandkristen]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11024780#post11024780 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Serioussnaps
It matters when you test to. Sorry if you already know this as I am not trying to insult your intelligence, but if you test at the same time every day it isn't going to go down.

Test at the beginning of the photoperiod and at the end. There should be a difference.

so your saying that kh reading differ during the day . hmmm i thought only ph did that ... nice to know thanks

 

[jdieck]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11030577#post11030577 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by markandkristen
so your saying that kh reading differ during the day . hmmm i thought only ph did that ... nice to know thanks

Although changes in PH will change the proportion (ratio) of the alkalinity components (carbonate, bicarbonate and carbonic acid) it will not change the total alkalinity regardless of the form.
Having said that, if you are trying to determine the consumption by comparing two diferent readings then it is better to make regular tests at pre-determined times, I usually take readings 24 hours apart to include a full cycle of consumption.

 

[bertoni]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11024780#post11024780 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Serioussnaps
It matters when you test to. Sorry if you already know this as I am not trying to insult your intelligence, but if you test at the same time every day it isn't going to go down.

Test at the beginning of the photoperiod and at the end. There should be a difference.

To extend what jdieck has posted, lighting doesn't affect the alkalinity level the way it usually affects pH. Total alkalinity will decline in the tank as corals and other organisms consume it for calcification and for other purposes. In some tanks, the rate of depletion is low enough that water changes are all that's needed.

Alkalinity won't rise in a system unless some is added. There are lots of ways to do that, and DIY live rock, for example, can leach alkalinity into the water.

 

[five.five-six]

can't borite cause this?

 

[jdieck]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11031142#post11031142 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by five.five-six
can't borite cause this?

Borate alkalinity does not get consumed but the level of borate shoud be significantly elevated for the alkalinity not to drop which will be very unusual even using a high borate dalt.

 

[markandkristen]

i am just going to monitor my levels and report back in a week and see where im at.