Alkalinity DKH

[mogood]

Yesterday I did a 50% water change to bring down my alkalinity/DKH after the water change I’ll test it the DKH and it’s read 14.9 and today it reads 17.2 I need help to get it down I am new to having coral in the tank I just only had fish in the tank

 

[blaxsun]

Did you test the new saltwater before performing the water change? Either this is a testing error or you mixed the salt with too high a salinity/alkalinity mix.

 

[Wasabiroot]

Did you test the new saltwater before performing the water change? Either this is a testing error or you mixed the salt with too high a salinity/alkalinity mix.

Pretty much this. Not much else in a tank will cause a spike like that between tests. Your alkalinity went up significantly. We need to analyze where that excess carbonate has come from. It didn't get generated in the tank instantaneously.
I agree with Blaxsun. Do another test and ensure replacement water matches alk of the tank.

 

[TokenReefer]

^^I agree. Also, I try to make sure the cuvette is as clean as possible before putting it in I spin it around in a papertowel. Pretty sure fingerprints/smudges can affect the results

 

[Kasrift]

^^I agree. Also, I try to make sure the cuvette is as clean as possible before putting it in I spin it around in a papertowel. Pretty sure fingerprints/smudges can affect the results

1000% this. You need to use a microfiber cloth to clean the cuvette for both readings and hold by the black lid when placing in. I think there are an Overwhelming majority of people that don’t do this and have inaccurate readings on all Hanna checkers.

 

[lazyd00d]

Since you're new, are you actually using rodi water for your new saltwater? If you're using tap water this explains the rise in alk.

 

[jasonvan]

my hanna also gives a unreliable reading. get a salifert to confirm. mine read 12.8 but my acros were still growing.

if anything do not do a huge alk change. it will shock the corals and cause more damage. do a slow water change.

 

[mogood]

Did you test the new saltwater before performing the water change? Either this is a testing error or you mixed the salt with too high a salinity/alkalinity mix.

No I did test the new salt water i didn’t know to test it but I will now I have a Hanna checker I am trying to get use to

 

[TokenReefer]

I've tested my tank and got 12.8, thought what the heck, cleaned the vial and retested and it was an expected reading. Make sure it's clean is my best advice here. If you think it is, verify with another test kit. I just find it hard to believe those results after doing water changes and without adding any buffer; just defies logic imo. Don't panic

 

[Rmckoy]

If the rodi water is zero
The Alk of the new mixed saltwater should be what the salt brand indicates
Once added to the tank there is no reason for the increase unless you’re dosing some something to the system

I’ve had the Hanna Alk tester ( ppm tester ) give extremely low numbers and blamed it on bad reagent ( the bottom half of the bottle is always different if not shaken before every test )

 

[dedragon]

Since you're new, are you actually using rodi water for your new saltwater? If you're using tap water this explains the rise in alk.

This ^

 

[nereefpat]

Are you dosing anything? Using any 'buffer'?