Alk. Spike?

[Cbray305]

Thanks in advance. I use api kit alk testing. I know not the best. But i at least test twice to make sure i am accurate. So a week ago my alk was roughly 7-8.. i say 7-8 because again i test twice. I did dose according to the reccomended dosing on the fusion 2. Did. Water change 2 days ago... 10% . My alk. As read 11-12 2 days in a row. The water i am using from the lfs reads at 8... what may cause this?

55 gallon 1 year 3 mo. Old
Amm.0
Nitrite.0
Nitrate-10
Cal.420
Alk.11
Ph.8.4 (dosed yesterday because it was more of a 8.0)
Do have GHA and a tiny bit of cyano developing on sand.. used phosband pad for 1 week now

 

[ZoaAddiction81]

What brand of salt are you using they all have different alk levels in them

 

[ZoaAddiction81]

What’s your mag reading ?

 

[ZoaAddiction81]

I would also look into your p.h. buffer that would raise alkalinity levels as well

 

[jordan10]

I second the last one p.h. buffers çan raise p.h. So that was probably it. And nothing wrong with 8.0 ph. How stocked is the tank with coral?

 

[Cbray305]

Ill go a mag. Reading. Havent tested in over a week. It was at 1500+ to battle GHA.. as far as salt.. i do not know, because it is premade salt water from lfs... and yes the buffer adds a bit of alk. But raise by 4? Maybe i dosed wrong on accident. Thought i added calc wheb it was double alk... just never experienced such a large spike

 

[Cbray305]

Mag is 1400.. red sea kit

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Magnesium at any level is not a cause of high alk, but adding pH buffers certainly can be.