HELP! Extremely High KH

[bmcd45]

Hey my KH is extremely high. Like off the charts high. I just got a trident I’m not dosing yet, but it’s out of the testing range. I used a kit and it says my KH is off the chart as well.

What do I do?

I perform water changes using distilled water and instant ocean salt weekly.

Ph 8.23
Ca 475
Mag 1265
Salinity 1.024-1.025

 

[bmcd45]

(Ive tested the water multiple times and I get the same results each time.)

 

[WIReefer]

Test the distilled water and see what that Alk is. Also would suggest ro/di

 

[bmcd45]

Are you

I am using distilled water. I have been for about 3/4 weeks/water changes now

 

[WIReefer]

I am using distilled water. I have been for about 3/4 weeks/water changes now

Check your water before mixing the salt in and let me know what the Alk is.

 

[Miller535]

Did you calibrate you trident? and What kit are you using? Seems very unlikely to be off the charts.

 

[nereefpat]

Distilled water is fine. There is no way that there is alk in distilled water.

Been adding any "buffer?"

 

[bmcd45]

Check your water before mixing the salt in and let me know what the Alk is.

I just checked it and it showed no KH

 

[WIReefer]

I just checked it and it showed no KH

Okay that’s good I assumed it didn’t have any since it was distilled water, what test kit are you using?

 

[bmcd45]

Did you calibrate you trident? and What kit are you using? Seems very unlikely to be off the charts.

I did calibrate the Trident. I am using the API KH testing solution.

 

[bmcd45]

Okay that’s good I assumed it didn’t have any since it was distilled water, what test kit are you using?

API KH

 

[Miller535]

I did calibrate the Trident. I am using the API KH testing solution.

You should be able with that kit to keep adding drops until the color changes. Each drop is 1 DKH.

My own experience I do not like that API test and prefer hanna or Red sea. API was not very accurate.

 

[WIReefer]

You should be able with that kit to keep adding drops until the color changes. Each drop is 1 DKH.

My own experience I do not like that API test and prefer hanna or Red sea. API was not very accurate.

I agree I would suggest Hanna for a more accurate reading.

 

[bmcd45]

You should be able with that kit to keep adding drops until the color changes. Each drop is 1 DKH.

My own experience I do not like that API test and prefer hanna or Red sea. API was not very accurate.

it took 27 drops to turn from blue to yellow! My distilled water never turned blue.

 

[Miller535]

it took 27 drops to turn from blue to yellow! My distilled water never turned blue.

I am not sure what the problem is, but there is literally no way that your dkh is that high.

 

[attiland]

API KH

I have similar reading with API and Red Sea salt when I mix it.
I have a feeling it is ether the test kit or the way I do the test is wrong
API said to be poor quality test kit. I will change it once more corals added but it is not my concern at the moment

 

[WIReefer]

I am not sure what the problem is, but there is literally no way that your dkh is that high.

Only thing I can think of is a bad batch of salt?

 

[bmcd45]

I am not sure what the problem is, but there is literally no way that your dkh is that high.

I thought the trident was off then tested it with the kit..

Only thing I can think of is a bad batch of salt?

Hadn’t thought of that. I’m going to mix up a sample then test that

 

[WIReefer]

I thought the trident was off then tested it with the kit..


Hadn’t thought of that. I’m going to mix up a sample then test that

Try testing a new bucket of salt and see how that is. That is if you have a new bucket laying around.

 

[Dom]

It wouldn't surprise if the problem was wit the salt mix. I use Instant Ocean Reef Crystals. BRS had to replace a 200 gallon box of the stuff I purchased when my all was only mixing in the 4-5 range. The new batch mixes ALK to about 8.

But now the Mag is off the chart.

There have been other posts about Instant Ocean salt mix not mixing to the indicated numbers on the box.

I feel there is a QC issue with this brand as of late.

Are you using standard Instant Ocean or are you using Reef Crystals?