High dkh?

[Calebb8133]

Simple question... Is 18 dkh to high for a reef tank?

 

[Redfoxtang]

I would say yes. The highest I’ve seen is 12-13 and that is from Red Sea Coral pro salt mix and that it to high in my eyes. 18 DKH just sounds like a disaster waiting to happen especially if your going to try and keep corals.

 

[Calebb8133]

I would say yes. The highest I’ve seen is 12-13 and that is from Red Sea Coral pro salt mix and that it to high in my eyes. 18 DKH just sounds like a disaster waiting to happen especially if your going to try and keep corals.

So how do I solve this without lowering PH? Because my PH is already a little low around 8.0

 

[LAReefer4Life]

Yes much too high. As stated 12dkh is the highest recommended for coral and livestock health.

 

[DraggingTail]

Simple question... Is 18 dkh to high for a reef tank?

Are you serious? Is that even possible?

 

[LAReefer4Life]

So how do I solve this without lowering PH? Because my PH is already a little low around 8.0

Can we get a bit more information?

What are your current water parameters? including magnesium, calcium, nitrate, and phosphate.

How old is aquarium?

Are you using a product to increase PH currently?

 

[Calebb8133]

Can we get a bit more information?

What are your current water parameters? including magnesium, calcium, nitrate, and phosphate.

How old is aquarium?

Are you using a product to increase PH currently?

Unfortunately I don't yet have a mag test but calcium is over 520, phosphate is 0.25 and nitrate is between 0 and 5. Not using anything to raise the pH. Tank was running 4 years prior to my buying it last weekend

 

[LAReefer4Life]

Unfortunately I don't yet have a mag test but calcium is over 520, phosphate is 0.25 and nitrate is between 0 and 5. Not using anything to raise the pH. Tank was running 4 years prior to my buying it last weekend

Are you currently dosing anything into your aquarium?

 

[Calebb8133]

Are you currently dosing anything into your aquarium?

Nothing I fed coral frenzy this morning but that's all

 

[LAReefer4Life]

In regards to increasing PH, you can crack a window in your house to remove the excess CO2 and allow more Oxygen to be absorbed into the aquarium. Another way to help is create more surface agitation by placing an additional or pointing the current power-heads towards the surface of your aquarium to promote higher gas exchange. You can also add air bubbler inside sump.

 

[LAReefer4Life]

Nothing I fed coral frenzy this morning but that's all

I am thinking you might have a faulty test kit. I'd bring water to LFS and have them test it or purchase new one to confirm accurate readings.

 

[Calebb8133]

In regards to increasing PH, you can crack a window in your house to remove the excess CO2 and allow more Oxygen to be absorbed into the aquarium. Another way to help is create more surface agitation by placing an additional or pointing the current power-heads towards the surface of your aquarium to promote higher gas exchange. You can also add air bubbler inside sump.

I already tried all those...

 

[Calebb8133]

I am thinking you might have a faulty test kit. I'd bring water to LFS and have them test it or purchase new one to confirm accurate readings.

Ok my corals r looking good so I might go either Monday or Wednesday

 

[LAReefer4Life]

Ok my corals r looking good so I might go either Monday or Wednesday

If livestock looks good again my bets are on faulty test kit. Hanna checkers are awesome and easy to read. I'd get one if its in your budget.

 

[Calebb8133]

If livestock looks good again my bets are on faulty test kit. Hanna checkers are awesome and easy to read. I'd get one if its in your budget.

Tbh I can afford Hanna's as much as I would like them. Should I get red sea?

 

[LAReefer4Life]

Tbh I can afford Hanna's as much as I would like them. Should I get red sea?

Red sea is the next best option to the Hanna.

 

[Calebb8133]

Tbh I can afford Hanna's as much as I would like them. Should I get red sea?

Can't

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

What kit did you use?

Did it require more than 1 syringe of fluid to reach the color change?

have you used that kit on new salt water?

Do you use tap water?

 

[Calebb8133]

What kit did you use?

Did it require more than 1 syringe of fluid to reach the color change?

have you used that kit on new salt water?

Do you use tap water?

I use API

I don’t know what u mean by more than one syringe

yes I use RODI water

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I use API

I don’t know what u mean by more than one syringe

yes I use RODI water

Better alk kits use a syringe to measure the added fluid, not drops. I’d get a different kit before over-reacting to alk that may be ok.