Alkalinity

[knc882007]

So All my reading on my test strips are showing to be on point but while researching on line it is saying the Alkalinity should be 200ppm but mine is reading 300ppm. When I asked at PetSmart they said oh it is fine but they do not sell any marine fish either. Anybody know if my levels are safe for fish and hermit crabs or am I going to kill them all as I put them in?

 

[Jason mack]

300 ppm would be 16.4 dkh that's very high .. 150 ppm would be 8.4 dkh which would be around where you need too be .. I'd check your tests again .. what test kit are you using ..?

 

[knc882007]

I have the tetra dip sticks that the pet store was using...

 

[Jason mack]

Ok never heard of them , what salt are you using .. some salts can be high in alk ..I would get a Red Sea pro test kit or saliferts .. and try too find a better lFS ..
and can you give more details of your tank and parameters
How old is your tank
What did you start it with live rock ? Dry rock ,?
What size ?
What have you got in it ?

 

[knc882007]

I started my tank about a week ago it currently only have CaribSea Ocean Direct Caribbean Live Sand and water in it. I used Instant Ocean Synthetic Sea Salt. It has no rock in it at the moment. It is a 36 gallon bow front.
P.H 8.2
Ammonia 0 ppm
Nitrates 20 ppm
Salinity 1.022
Temp 80
Nitrites 0 ppm
Alkalinity 300 ppm.

 

[miyags]

I would not add any fish just yet.Did you cycle your new tank? . I think petsmart sells the api master test kit for saltwater

 

[knc882007]

I am still cycling it not adding any fish just yet. When researching the new tank process I never saw anything about alkalinity going up and down. I saw when the nitrates would rise and fall but that was it. Just wondering if I am doing something wrong. One pet store told me that I could actually set the tank up with live sand and come back that afternoon and add a few fish. It did not seem right when I heard it.

 

[MmmmBalf]

Test strips are not an accurate way to measure alkalinity, I doubt the reading is correct. You should buy a good test kit, such as Red Sea Pro or Hanna checker. Have you checked the pH of the water? That might also give you a clue as to how high the alkalinity is.

You should put rock in the tank during the cycle, as most of the nitrifying bacteria that you want is going to live in the rock. Some lives in the substrate but not enough to take much of a bioload. People frequently remove all the sand from a running tank without any effect or further cycle.

I know someone who recently took the same advice as that pet store told you - to add fish immediately because the sand was live. The fish were all dead the following day, and the shop took no responsibility :mad:. So well done on ignoring that advice. If you are able I would only go to stores that specialise in marine fish, or at least just fish, not a pet store.

Good luck with the cycle. Post some photos of the tank!

 

[knc882007]

Test strips are not an accurate way to measure alkalinity, I doubt the reading is correct. You should buy a good test kit, such as Red Sea Pro or Hanna checker. Have you checked the pH of the water? That might also give you a clue as to how high the alkalinity is.

You should put rock in the tank during the cycle, as most of the nitrifying bacteria that you want is going to live in the rock. Some lives in the substrate but not enough to take much of a bioload. People frequently remove all the sand from a running tank without any effect or further cycle.

I know someone who recently took the same advice as that pet store told you - to add fish immediately because the sand was live. The fish were all dead the following day, and the shop took no responsibility :mad:. So well done on ignoring that advice. If you are able I would only go to stores that specialise in marine fish, or at least just fish, not a pet store.

Good luck with the cycle. Post some photos of the tank!

Here is a picture of my very boring tank.

 

[knc882007]

Here is a picture of my very boring tank.

Which also happens to be upside down

hoping this one it right side up

 

[steallife904]

you really should ditch the test sticks and get test kits like saliferts or red sea. much more accurate.

 

[knc882007]

you really should ditch the test sticks and get test kits like saliferts or red sea. much more accurate.

I am thinking the same thing.

 

[Reef man 89]

I'm am really curious as to why you don't have your rock in the tank. During your cycle?

 

[knc882007]

Because I was originally told unless I was doing a coral tank I did not need any. I have since figured out I got bad information. Going to get some today since I am off work.

 

[Reef man 89]

Because I was originally told unless I was doing a coral tank I did not need any. I have since figured out I got bad information. Going to get some today since I am off work.

Yea I would say you got some bad Info. Hopefully who ever told you that does not try to give you advice again. The best advice I can give you now is trash those test strips you have and get a better test kit. And honestly I wouldn't worry about your dkh numbers now. After the cycle stage then start to test for that.