High Alk - Too High solutions ?

ash9965 · Nov 8, 2017

1st question - I know most shoot for 7-9 but how high is dangerous I have heard some tanks hit above 14 with no noticeable damage ?

2nd Question will dosing only calcium lower the alk back down if your calcium level is low say 360

Randy Holmes-Farley · Nov 8, 2017

There’s no particular danger to alk at 14 dKH (aside from increased precipitation of calcium carbonate , unless you have SPS corals in which case you need adequate sources of N and P to prevent burnt tips.

You should boost the calcium back to normal, and if you have appropriate organisms, they may calcify somewhat faster after you do so, using more alk than before.

Newb73 · Nov 9, 2017

If you are doing water changes and not dosing you'll also see a trend down.

If so, more frequent smaller water changes are preferred...and specifically avoid large water changes.

Sudden alk swings are known to upset sps.

ash9965 · Nov 9, 2017

Thanks tested again last night dropped t0 13.7 not significant but still a drop so we will see. I dosed more calcium ESV Bionic and hooked a air tube to my skimmer and ran it to the outside of my sump enclosed sump area in hopes that it may make a suck in some fresher air and make a difference . I will test again tonight .