Help!! KH dropping!

[Jpiotro]

good morning, I added some reef builder 2 days ago and now my KH is around 2-3DKH. when before my DKH was around 9.

 

[A Young Reefer]

possibly a testing error, please double check. I think what you mean by a reef builder is some sort of stony coral?
It is impossible for a coral to drop kh from 9 to 2 dkh in two days. what test kit are you using?

 

[Jpiotro]

possibly a testing error, please double check. I think what you mean by a reef builder is some sort of stony coral?
It is impossible for a coral to drop kh from 9 to 2 dkh in two days. what test kit are you using?

I’ll test again and double check. I used seachem reef builder.

 

[Jpiotro]

I’ll test again and double check. I used seachem reef builder.

update: just tested it again and it’s around 1-2. I’m using the API reef master test kit

 

[A Young Reefer]

I apologize but I still think its impossible for your tank to be at 1-2 dkh with anything alive in there. API test kits have an reputation to be inaccurate. I highly recommend something like salifert, or if you can let your lfs test your kh.

 

[MaxTremors]

I agree that it would be nearly impossible for it to be 1-2dkh if it was 9 a couple days ago (do you have a tank full of SPS?). Are you sure you’re doing the test properly? I would highly recommend getting a different test kit.

 

[fishface NJ]

seachem reef builder is to raise KH. You at one point tested wrong. I dont trust API tests for Kh, Ca and Mg. Go out today and get a good test kit before making any changes

 

[Jpiotro]

seachem reef builder is to raise KH. You at one point tested wrong. I dont trust API tests for Kh, Ca and Mg. Go out today and get a good test kit before making any changes

thank you for the advice! I just ordered a couple salifert test kits since my LFS didn’t have any. Also i only have a watchman goby and 2 clowns and a nem for livestock.

 

[T-J]

thank you for the advice! I just ordered a couple salifert test kits since my LFS didn’t have any. Also i only have a watchman goby and 2 clowns and a nem for livestock.

Then why are you dosing alk?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

good morning, I added some reef builder 2 days ago and now my KH is around 2-3DKH. when before my DKH was around 9.

levels that low are likely not accurate for seawater.

 

[Uriken]

I apologize but I still think its impossible for your tank to be at 1-2 dkh with anything alive in there. API test kits have an reputation to be inaccurate. I highly recommend something like salifert, or if you can let your lfs test your kh.

The API test kit I use for the Alkalinity as for me it is one of their better test kits and its easy to do the test. I fill the test vile to the 5ml line and after shaking the testing solution I add 1 drop at a time and shake the vile between drops. Count the drops until the blue test water turns yellow. Most people know their alkalinity is above 7 or so and will just add 5 to 6 drops to speed up the process and get to a faster result yet I don't recommend this. Just take your time and go 1 drop at a time until the color changes.

 

[Jpiotro]

The API test kit I use for the Alkalinity as for me it is one of their better test kits and its easy to do the test. I fill the test vile to the 5ml line and after shaking the testing solution I add 1 drop at a time and shake the vile between drops. Count the drops until the blue test water turns yellow. Most people know their alkalinity is above 7 or so and will just add 5 to 6 drops to speed up the process and get to a faster result yet I don't recommend this. Just take your time and go 1 drop at a time until the color changes.

update i got a new test kit and everything seems fine! thank you

 

[fishface NJ]

Glad to read!