High alkalinity

[LRT]

I have the Hanna checker but have found salifert test to be real simple. I see alot of people having issues with the Red Sea test looking for colors.

 

[JackDemetriou]

Hanna is one that is popular and gives you a digital reading instead of matching colors.

I don't have the money to buy Hanna Checkers at the moment

 

[tonyespinoza]

I think the Hanna Checkers are actually less cost per test than the LaMotte... perhaps Salifert makes more sense for you at only around $17 for 100 tests.

 

[JackDemetriou]

I think the Hanna Checkers are actually less cost per test than the LaMotte... perhaps Salifert makes more sense for you at only around $17 for 100 tests.

But I have the Red Sea test kit which should be highly accurate. Do you think Salifert will be better?

 

[LRT]

But I have the Red Sea test kit which should be highly accurate. Do you think Salifert will be better?

I have the Hanna Checker but prefer the salifert kit. It's really easy to use and right on par with hanna checker. I actually trust the salifert test more as you can get bad reagents with the hanna checker.

 

[tonyespinoza]

It's strange, but we each see color a little differently and the environments we're testing in are different so there could be something subtle about why one test kit works better for you vs another. But yeah, bad reagents? Ugh. That's why I went with LaMotte which is a generic lab test not targeted at reefers and everything in the supply chain is managed to commercial vs hobbyist specs.

i personally find that Alk is the most important thing i test that drives the health of stony corals.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

But why am I getting so varied results? I seem to be doing it as instructed (plus I have done the highest level of Chemistry in school and I am currently studying Biomedical Science at university so I am inclined to say it's not my fault ahah)

I wouldn’t try to get ultra precise readings with a hobby test kit. Differences in the several different volume measures and the exact color you decide is fine will vary a bit.

 

[JackDemetriou]

I wouldn’t try to get ultra precise readings with a hobby test kit. Differences in the several different volume measures and the exact color you decide is fine will vary a bit.

But going from 11-15 dKh seems like quite a big variation though

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

But going from 11-15 dKh seems like quite a big variation though

that is bigger than normal. I’m not sure what the problem is, but is the variation that big testing the same water over and over?

 

[vetteguy53081]

You will either need to constantly lower the tank alkalinity with a specific additive for that purpose (that's a pain), or doe water changes with a special salt mix with low alk (a pain too), or remove and cure the rock more (a bigger pain).

Randy - Lower with what additive?

 

[JackDemetriou]

that is bigger than normal. I’m not sure what the problem is, but is the variation that big testing the same water over and over?

Yes, the exact same water and the tests were done within minutes of each other as well

 

[LRT]

Yes, the exact same water and the tests were done within minutes of each other as well

Have you checked your RO water yet?
Is it DI?
Filters old?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Randy - Lower with what additive?

Best to do it in water change water to avoid the pH drop, but both can be added directly if done VERY slowly.

I discuss how to lower alkalinity in these threads:

Sodium Bisulfate to Reduce Alkalinity in New Salt Water or in Display Tanks
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/s...in-new-salt-water-or-in-display-tanks.362825/

Reducing alkalinity ?
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/reducing-alkalinity.339109/#post-4214464