Alkalinity at 14 dKh!!!!! ????

[crazyfishmom]

I am a devout AFR user and currently at 100 mL in a 240 or so gallon overall volume for my main DT. Consumption has been going up so I’ve been adjusting the last couple of days. I maintain it between 8.5-9 including my daily swing.

Today I looked at my Apex app and low and behold, alkalinity is 14 dKh (from a previous reading two hrs earlier of 8.78 dkh) and pH is 7.48. My first reaction is “wow, need to do a major water change” particularly because I have added nothing other than AFR today and again, alkalinity has been well dialed in except I have been slowly raising the volume daily recently.

Had to take the kids to an appointment so I make a mental note that as soon as we get back I need to get into water change mode. At this point I’m thinking at least a 75 gallon water change and I’m assuming it won’t be enough but 12 dkh is better than 14. Welp, before I start preparing water I decide to check using the Hanna, sure enough, dkh is at 8.7 and pH is at 8.1.

Apex… what the heck!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[EliMelly]

I’m glad you did a double check…

 

[crazyfishmom]

I’m glad you did a double check…

Absolutely! Mind you a large water change is unlikely to cause major damage but I don’t typically do water changes and everything is running smoothly so who knows what could happen. This is my only real form of automation, I only really use it for the trident testing capabilities and keep everything else manual. I think today made me feel more strongly about not having a lot of automation.

 

[EliMelly]

Absolutely! Mind you a large water change is unlikely to cause major damage but I don’t typically do water changes and everything is running smoothly so who knows what could happen. This is my only real form of automation, I only really use it for the trident testing capabilities and keep everything else manual. I think today made me feel more strongly about not having a lot of automation.

Yep I’ve hesitated from buying a trident due to hearing tons of complaints about inaccuracies .

 

[Spare time]

For future reference, 14KH is not that concerning

 

[PharmrJohn]

Even if it was 14, it would have been fine. In the old days, the range was between 15 and 18. I would start at 18, let the ALK decrease to 15, then use Bicarb to get it back up to 18.

 

[Uncle99]

Common problem with probes.
Work for time, then not.

 

[crazyfishmom]

To be clear… not the 14 that is scary but rather the huge swing. But didn’t realize the targets had changed so much. I’m a baby reefer, my tanks are only about a year young.

 

[Peair]

I am a devout AFR user and currently at 100 mL in a 240 or so gallon overall volume for my main DT. Consumption has been going up so I’ve been adjusting the last couple of days. I maintain it between 8.5-9 including my daily swing.

Today I looked at my Apex app and low and behold, alkalinity is 14 dKh (from a previous reading two hrs earlier of 8.78 dkh) and pH is 7.48. My first reaction is “wow, need to do a major water change” particularly because I have added nothing other than AFR today and again, alkalinity has been well dialed in except I have been slowly raising the volume daily recently.

Had to take the kids to an appointment so I make a mental note that as soon as we get back I need to get into water change mode. At this point I’m thinking at least a 75 gallon water change and I’m assuming it won’t be enough but 12 dkh is better than 14. Welp, before I start preparing water I decide to check using the Hanna, sure enough, dkh is at 8.7 and pH is at 8.1.

Apex… what the heck!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yes, double and triple check with multicable test kits before you do anything, no need for baking soda at 8.7.

 

[PharmrJohn]

To be clear… not the 14 that is scary but rather the huge swing. But didn’t realize the targets had changed so much. I’m a baby reefer, my tanks are only about a year young.

Yeah. This info can be found in publications from the 80s. In 2008, it was falling out of style somewhat, but I decided that newer was not always better. Turned out it was, lol!

 

[crazyfishmom]

Yeah. This info can be found in publications from the 80s. In 2008, it was falling out of style somewhat, but I decided that newer was not always better. Turned out it was, lol!

lol we all learn something new every day!

 

[Doctorgori]

I use Tridents more for trends, …the NPs readings are near worthless, so yeah I got Hannas also.
Why trust when you can verify?