Akilinity question

jpontier212 · Jun 8, 2016

I'm fairly new so please forgive the question but here goes. ..... Is it possible to have too high Alkilinity in the aquarium? What are the dangers if any of having high alkilinity? Could it be a faulty test kit? I know API is notorious for this. I tested my alk and according to my test kit it was 16dkh. I thought the target is between 8-12. No higher, meaning mine is super high. What can i do? Or do i need to do anything?

Alanc425 · Jun 8, 2016

Have you been adding anything to the tank outside water changes? ph buffers or anything in that nature?

cowboy · Jun 8, 2016

To high ALK will affect your coral and your fish, what salt are you using and what have you dosed to bring the ALK that high. I would also try a different test kit as 16 is definitely super high I try to keep mine in the 7.5-8.5 range. Also what are your other parameters are they looking normal high or low including you S.G. of your water.

smh254 · Jun 8, 2016

I like to keep mine around 8 if it goes above 10 my SPS don't like it and start getting burnt tips.

jpontier212 · Jun 8, 2016

My parameters are
Ammonia 0
Nitrites 0
Nitrate 10
Phosphate 0.10
Cal 420
Alk 16 dkh
PH 8.1
Temp 79.9
Salinity 1.025
I don't use salt. I've been getting my salt water from my lfs

jsker · Jun 8, 2016

That alk should be 1260 based on the Ca. You might want to check your alk test, or have you been adding kalwasser, or a buffer?

mushroomrob · Jun 8, 2016

Try a different test kit. You could be burning your corals and fish.

jpontier212 · Jun 8, 2016

mushroomrob said:
Try a different test kit. You could be burning your corals and fish.

Does it affect anenomes?

Squid · Jun 8, 2016

This question has already been addressed in your previous threads. I suggest you READ when people respond and stop ignoring them.

jpontier212 · Jun 8, 2016

jsker said:
That alk should be 1260 based on the Ca. You might want to check your alk test, or have you been adding kalwasser, or a buffer?

I was using natureef 2 part calcium Alkilinity. I was using 3ml of each one a week.

jpontier212 · Jun 8, 2016

Squid said:
This question has already been addressed in your previous threads. I suggest you READ when people respond and stop ignoring them.

I try not to ignore anyone's comments and to be honest if i would remember then i wouldn't be asking.

GoldenBoys · Jun 8, 2016

Squid said:
This question has already been addressed in your previous threads. I suggest you READ when people respond and stop ignoring them.

Don'tbe a jerk

Squid · Jun 8, 2016

GoldenBoys said:
Don'tbe a jerk

Dont be so sensitive and take your name calling elsewhere, grown folks have grown conversations if you can't contribute, then say nothing.

jpontier212 said:
I try not to ignore anyone's comments and to be honest if i would remember then i wouldn't be asking.

You even liked one of the comments where people told you to lower your alk.

http://reef2reef.com/threads/phosphate-nitrate.249207/

GoldenBoys · Jun 8, 2016

Squid said:
Dont be so sensitive and take your name calling elsewhere, grown folks have grown conversations if you can't contribute, then say nothing.

You even liked one of the comments where people told you to lower your alk.

http://reef2reef.com/threads/phosphate-nitrate.249207/

Take ur own advice, all you did was criticize him & then prove that he already read it. Obviously he didn't retain the info, what's the big deal?
"If you can't contribute, then say nothing."

jpontier212 · Jun 8, 2016

Squid said:
Dont be so sensitive and take your name calling elsewhere, grown folks have grown conversations if you can't contribute, then say nothing.

You even liked one of the comments where people told you to lower your alk.

http://reef2reef.com/threads/phosphate-nitrate.249207/

I understand that but no one chimed in and told me how to do it. Water changes? Do i have to dose with something? I don't use any salt at all. I buy salt water from my lfs. It's how i do my water changes.

Squid · Jun 8, 2016

GoldenBoys said:
Take ur own advice, all you did was criticize him & then prove that he already read it. Obviously he didn't retain the info, what's the big deal?
"If you can't contribute, then say nothing."

Correction, I gave him awareness to his own threads where this issue was already brought up. You have still contributed nothing. Your very first post and its name calling, good way to start out and show your worth. Op, water changes with a saltwater that has a lower alkalinity level than the water your currently using will do the trick. This is literally like the second thread you see if you search alkalinity on this website, coulda posted and got an answer from Randy.
http://reef2reef.com/threads/lowering-alkalinity-safely.252488/#post-2978340

morpheas · Jun 9, 2016

That 16 seems a tad high on the faulty test kit/interpretation side. Before you accept it, I would suggest you double check it. Buy a salifert kit and test again. Take some water sample to your LFS and have them test it. Have them test / inquire about the water you are buying. Also, why were you dosing? Did you have any numbers that you were after? Dosing two part the wise way is to get numbers, measure daily and adjust accordingly until you get in tune with what your tank needs. And even then, when livestock changes or corals grow requirements change. It's a constant tune and adjust kind of thing, not a blanket approach.

So, if you are still dosing, stop. If it proves to indeed be a high alkalinity I would probably do a 30% water change every three days or so for a couple of weeks and that should help (assuming that the water you buy has lower alkalinity which would be my guess).

jpontier212 · Jun 9, 2016

morpheas said:
That 16 seems a tad high on the faulty test kit/interpretation side. Before you accept it, I would suggest you double check it. Buy a salifert kit and test again. Take some water sample to your LFS and have them test it. Have them test / inquire about the water you are buying. Also, why were you dosing? Did you have any numbers that you were after? Dosing two part the wise way is to get numbers, measure daily and adjust accordingly until you get in tune with what your tank needs. And even then, when livestock changes or corals grow requirements change. It's a constant tune and adjust kind of thing, not a blanket approach.

So, if you are still dosing, stop. If it proves to indeed be a high alkalinity I would probably do a 30% water change every three days or so for a couple of weeks and that should help (assuming that the water you buy has lower alkalinity which would be my guess).

Thank you morpheas. I was dosing to get my calcium up. It was really low like 220. I did a 5 gallon water change last night. I'm going to test it when i get home from work. If it still reads the same,then i would have to assume my test kit is faulty. I will go to my lfs and get a salifert test and have them test my water as well. I still have some water left over from them and i will test that as well. Thank you

jpontier212 · Jun 9, 2016

jpontier212 said:
Thank you morpheas. I was dosing to get my calcium up. It was really low like 220. I did a 5 gallon water change last night. I'm going to test it when i get home from work. If it still reads the same,then i would have to assume my test kit is faulty. I will go to my lfs and get a salifert test and have them test my water as well. I still have some water left over from them and i will test that as well. Thank you

Update. I believe my test kit was off. Good ol API was way off. My lfs tested it and it read 8. I got home to see all this happiness though. It was odd to see everything open up.

. Thanks again guys