Really high KH....off the charts high

[nstiesi]

Everything else is fine, water wise. Calcium is 440 or so, all other stuff is normal. What problems could the high KH cause?

 

[somethingphishy]

if your alk/kh is really high it would seem that your Ca would be lower....

what test kit are you using?
what is your PH?

 

[seapug]

If it's so high it's unmeasurable but your calcium is 440 then I'd suspect a test kit error-- one of those two measurements must be wrong or you'd be having a non-stop calcium snowstorm in your tank.

 

[nstiesi]

API test kit, for both tests. I did have a calcium snowstorm for a few days after my last water change, but it settled out. I used the calcium test kit to monitor the calcium dosing of the water change water, so I suspect the incorrect test would be the KH....but who knows.

Also, when I say off the charts.......the chart on the test kit only goes up to 12. The drops to degree ratio is 1:1 on the chart, so I kept going with the test once, it was something like 20. Is that as high as it seems?

 

[seapug]

Are you adding the titration drops one at a time and mixing after each one? I use those API test kits and have found adding the drops too quickly and not mixing after each one will give you false readings.

 

[nstiesi]

if I havent tested in a while, I will do one at a time, mixing in between. If I know it is in a certain range, I would add, say 8 drops immediately, shake, then go one by one.

 

[seapug]

yep, thats exactly what I did that gave me the false readings.

 

[nstiesi]

Very interesting. I think I will be doing some slow meticulous testing tonight. Thanks!

 

[new92]

I may be wrong, but you said the chart goes to 12....isnt it like 20 and there are 2 columns? or am I thinking about the Ca test?

 

[nstiesi]

Yeah, the API calcim tests goes to 30 or so, and has 2 columns. The Kh test has 1 columns, measured to 12 deg, and also has another unit of measure I think. I'll have to look at it when I go home.