HELP ! Hanna Alk reading ?

[427HISS]

I've used my Hanna Alk Checker 3 times and really like it, but to day I don't know if I'm doing something wrong, reagent or machine issues ?

I have been adding Kent Buffer and mixing calcium hydroxide to raise the calcium & PH. 7.8 is about the highest PH I have gotten the last 4 days.

Calcium today was 458.

The first reading was "0". (don't know why)

The regent is good until 7/2015.

I replaced the battery to see if that was the problem.

After that, I re-tested 5 times and the reading were all a flashing "300".

According to the instructions error information guide, the flashing "300" reading says this.

"A flashing 300 value of the maximum concentration indicates the reading is over range. Dilute the sample and re-run the test".

Id' wait to call Hanna on Monday, but I hate not being able to figure something out, so this is driving me crazy ! :frusty:

:help:

Kevin

 

[jduck]

Push button once to turn on. Fill vial with tank water up to line. Clean off vial. Put in tester, close lid, push button. Open vial add 1 ml reagent. Replace cap, quick shake. Put back in tester, close lid, push button. Looking for a number that is less than 214...
Take the display number x.056 and that is dkh.

 

[427HISS]

I believe I'm following the/your instructions correctly. I may have my wife perform the test..
I wonder if I've added too much buffer, thus making the sample out of range ?

 

[ritter6788]

If you're dosing for pH your alk is likely through the roof and over the meters limits.

Don't dose for pH, dose for alk. Dosing buffer to increase pH is one of the worst things you can do to a reef tank.

 

[EW_Fish]

Don't chase your Ph. Let it be.

You want your alk,cal,temp and lighting to be stable

 

[427HISS]

The calcium level is fine and the DKH has been from 9-10, but the PH has been way low, so that is why I decided on using a buffer.
So, don't chase the PH ?

 

[JOKER]

Many tanks run lower ph and look great. If you want to raise ph run skimmer air intake outside ,get more surface movement, or change alk mix

 

[JOKER]

No those buffers will last about a day they are for a quick fix and will cause a lot of harm changing so fast

 

[427HISS]

I did watch a video by "Mr. Saltwater Tank" and he runs a airline tube outside, so I may try that. Our house is closed up a lot of the year living in Nebraska.

 

[EW_Fish]

I did watch a video by "Mr. Saltwater Tank" and he runs a airline tube outside, so I may try that. Our house is closed up a lot of the year living in Nebraska.

Running your airline outside & water movement on the surface will help out big time. I had mine running outside but had to stop because my neighbor started burning brush and I smelled it inside from my skimmer bringing it in the house/tank. I can't be at home all the time so I didn't think it was worth having and maybe losing my corals. They make a media for skimmer intake.

 

[JOKER]

My ph runs 8.4-8.5 and I know that is high but everything seems happy so I let it run there. The ph is just a number keeping the main 3 stable is key. I have read until I got tired of reading.lol. Calcium alk and temp, all the tanks that never do water changes and the ones who do crazy amounts of water changes keep those constant and have amazing tanks. I just hope I find my tanks happy spot. Was almost at the year point on mine everything seemed fine then this algae came from nowhere.lol

 

[427HISS]

I know what you mean by tired of reading, it can get old quick, but I just want the critters to be healthy. And, their/mine, happy spot. lol