Alkalinity and Salinity

[vjl501tech]

Hi, I got a question and was wondering if others see this.
my salinity is 1.024, but Alk is 15. It’s been this way for years.
maybe it has to do with the IO reef crystals I’ve been using.
The Reef crystals recommended dose doesn’t get the salinity to 1.024,
so I add a little more which I guess raises the Alk?? So how do I get the alk to the preferred
8 or 9. Am I missing something or just crazy. pls offer any advice. Thank you. Also, I do use RODI.

vl

 

[Ron Reefman]

You've been using it for years. Has it been a problem? Alk of 15 is high. Do you have anything in the tank that uses alk (sps or lps)? Why do you use Reef Crystals rather than regular IO if you don't need the alk? Rather than adding more salt to your water change water to raise the salinity, why not just add some Ca?

 

[vjl501tech]

Thx for yr response.
I have a brain coral, 2 galaxia, a leather, frogspawn and a Xenia coral.

 

[MichaelReefer]

15? That's pretty high...

 

[Gablami]

Make sure your salinity checker is accurate. Get a second method and a reference solution. I’m guessing it’s off.

otherwise, it may sound obvious but you don’t mention it in your post, but are you dosing any alkalinity at all?

 

[1ByLand2BySea]

I have milted experience with Reef Crystals but I don't believe it yields Alkalinity of 15 dKH @ 1.024 sg.
The issue may be coming from elsewhere or incorrect readings or measurements.
Others that use Reef Crystals regularly can add to this.

 

[vjl501tech]

I dose seachem reef complete and marine buffer Weekly. Should I limit their use. thx for all yr help.

 

[Nhjmc]

holy smokes 15 is high

 

[chipmunkofdoom2]

I dose seachem reef complete and marine buffer Weekly. Should I limit their use. thx for all yr help.

The Marine Buffer is why your alkalinity is high. You should discontinue using that and throw it in the trash. Any additive that you put in your tank to raise pH will also raise alkalinity. Any pH increase you get will only be temporary, while the alkalinity increase will be permanent.

 

[Nhjmc]

I'm struggling with keeping my alk stable at 8.5 for the life of me IDK what I'm doing wrong.

 

[vjl501tech]

Great, thx for your advice. I’ll discontinue marine buffer. I do 3 gallon WC weekly on my 30 gallon. Should that keep ph in line.

 

[dadnjesse]

What are you using to test Salinity? If using a Refractometer are you using calibration fluid to calibrate it, or Ro/Di water.

 

[nereefpat]

The Marine Buffer is why your alkalinity is high. You should discontinue using that and throw it in the trash. Any additive that you put in your tank to raise pH will also raise alkalinity. Any pH increase you get will only be temporary, while the alkalinity increase will be permanent.

Well said.

Great, thx for your advice. I’ll discontinue marine buffer. I do 3 gallon WC weekly on my 30 gallon. Should that keep ph in line.

10% weekly is a good habit to be into. pH is a function of alkalinity being high enough and the CO2 in the tank. As long as alk is 7+, and you have decent surface agitation and water movement, then don't sweat the pH. Most of us don't even test for it.

I'm struggling with keeping my alk stable at 8.5 for the life of me IDK what I'm doing wrong.

You can't keep it up? If so, dosing with either kalk, two part, or calcium reactor.

Or it is too high? If so, water changes with a lower alk salt, or quit using any "buffer", or let the tank naturally consume it.

 

[Nhjmc]

no I’m dosing just seachem reef fusion 2 as my ca is high (540), mg high too last I checked 1490-1500 Ph 7.9-8.0. Using IO salt not reef crystals and or nutriseawater but for 10-15% water change weekly but I have to add alk to nutri water as it’s low on its own 7.3.

 

[Nhjmc]

I’m cross eyed from researching reading etc online still can’t get it right. Dosing 3-4 mg of part 2 daily to keep it at 8.4-8.5

 

[Nhjmc]

Sorry highjacked ur post

 

[nereefpat]

no I’m dosing just seachem reef fusion 2

I did some playing around with the calculator here: http://reef.diesyst.com/chemcalc/chemcalc.html

assuming your 34 gallon tank,

Dosing 3-4 mg of part 2 daily to keep it at 8.4-8.5

your tank is using about 0.3-0.4 dkH daily if you are dosing 3-4mLs of reef fusion daily. That is reasonable and isn't a ton of alk demand. Just keep up what your doing with the alk dosing to keep alkalinity at 8.4.

I would skip the Ca portion of your dosing until it drops to around 450 or so. This will take a while.

 

[vjl501tech]

Thx for all your help. I was wondering should I stop the marine buffer cold turkey or phase it out. Can cold turkey lower alk or PH too fast? Thx again.

 

[nereefpat]

Stop the buffer. Don't worry about pH.

I would test dKH every couple days until you figure out what the alkalinity demand is.

 

[vjl501tech]

Thx, 10% water change today, stopped the buffer. Just checked alk, it’s 11.5 from the usual 15. I’ll bet by next week it’s a normal level. So its safe to say
i shouldn’t go too crazy over ph readings? Thx for the advice.