alk too high

boxers21 · Sep 11, 2014

Hi, My name is Randy and I am new to this forum. I am haveing problems with my alk being to high. It reads off the chart. I use the red sea test kit with the titrater ( for give the spelling ). My cal is 380, I now it's a little low. I just dosed it with BRS two part just the cal part. PH is 8.2. Don't have a mag test I ran out first of the week. I do 10% water change every 2 weeks. So my question is whats the best way to lower alk, so I can get it back down were it needs to be. Thanks Randy

Randy Holmes-Farley · Sep 11, 2014

You can get an actual number for a titration kit by using a second syringe and then adding the two values together.

Assuming it is not way too high from overdosing, the best thing to do is just wait for it to decline over time on its own.

boxers21 · Sep 11, 2014

I have never dosed the alk part of the 2 part. It's all ways been to high.

boxers21 · Sep 11, 2014

Thank the that. I never thought of useing a second syringe.

Eric B · Sep 11, 2014

Have you tried testing it with a different test kit? Could be a false reading from the test kit you are using.

boxers21 · Sep 11, 2014

Ok I tested the alk and added the two together and it it 26 dkh

boxers21 · Sep 11, 2014

going to lfs tonight and get everything tested again

Eric B · Sep 11, 2014

26 is about the number I have coming out of my CA reactor! How old is the tank and what inhabitants are inside as I would think no corals would be alive if alk was really at this level.

Randy Holmes-Farley · Sep 11, 2014

Are you using tap water for top off and to make salt water?

Unless you are using tap water that has significant alkalinity in it, there's no chance the alk is that high without dosing anything (unless, perhaps, you have rocks made from cement that is not fully cured).

If these are not true, then a testing problem is a reasonable likelihood.

boxers21 · Sep 11, 2014

I just took a water samle to lfs they said it tested at 22. And yes I am using tap water for top off. I guess I need to invest in an RO/DI system.

Eric B · Sep 11, 2014

Yes that would be a wise purchase if your using tap water. In the meantime does your local fish store sell water as that might be worth buying some to use until you get a rodi unit.

Reefing Madness · Sep 11, 2014

You can use Muriatic Acid to bring the ALK into line before using that water. Allow the PH to stabilize before using. Stick a powerhead in the container to keep it stirring while doing this.

boxers21 · Sep 11, 2014

Yes my lfs sales salt water already mixed up. I'll just do that until next week when I get my rodi system. Thanks for all the info

Randy Holmes-Farley · Sep 12, 2014

That sounds good. Remember that top off for evaporation needs to be with soemthing else too. If the LFS doesn't sell RO/DI, you can often get purified or distilled water from grocery stores that is good enough.

If you want to try to use muriatic acid to correct the tank instantly, we can advise. Don't just add it on your own as it is easy to overshoot and cause a much worse problem.

boxers21 · Sep 12, 2014

ok thank what is the process for adding muriatic acid to tap water.

boxers21 · Sep 12, 2014

Mr. Farley, You were right I tested my tap water today and it tested 22 dkh alk also. That is definitely the problem.

Randy Holmes-Farley · Sep 12, 2014

OK. I'd recommend top off water from the grocery store (distilled) until you get an RO/DI.

Randy Holmes-Farley · Sep 12, 2014

As to the muriatic acid, I'd add it to the tank, not the tap water. Full strength muriatic acid from a hardware store like Ace is about negative 34,000 dKH. So about 0.1 mL per gallon will drop alkalinity by about 1 dKh. It will also drop pH a lot, but only temporarily.

In your case, I'd try about 0.5 mL per gallon of actual water volume, spread over a few hours and see what that gives the next day.

Be careful with it as it will burn you and especially don't get it in your eyes.

Randy Holmes-Farley · Sep 12, 2014

What creatures are in this tank?

As I said, the pH will temporarily get very low.

boxers21 · Sep 12, 2014

blue legged hermits, snails, cleaner shrimp, peperment shrimp. I also have 6 frag softies. PJ cardnals, engineer goby, wrasse, yellow eye tang, scotter blenny. Thats about it.