HOW DO I REDUCE ALK

[ROD SCOTT]

HOW DO I REDUCE ALK MINE READS 18 PLUS

 

[jsker]

HOW DO I REDUCE ALK MINE READS 18 PLUS

What test are you using? I did not know the test could go that high?
How do you think it got that high?

I would suggest doing water changes with a low alk salt to bring down the alk.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

What test are you using? I did not know the test could go that high?
How do you think it got that high?

I would suggest doing water changes with a low alk salt to bring down the alk.

Ditto

 

[jwshiver]

Is that result from a single test or is that a consistent result? Always redo a test if a number seems out of wack. You can do as jsker recommended with a water change or let it come down naturally over a few days. With some research before attempting you can use vinegar. A more risky way that I would not recommend is muriatic acid. I've used muratic acid before on a QT tank that the salt mixed up to 20 dkh before I added fish. I would never use it on my DT.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I would figure out how it got that high before lowering it.

Are you dosing anything?

 

[ROD SCOTT]

Is that result from a single test or is that a consistent result? Always redo a test if a number seems out of wack. You can do as jsker recommended with a water change or let it come down naturally over a few days. With some research before attempting you can use vinegar. A more risky way that I would not recommend is muriatic acid. I've used muratic acid before on a QT tank that the salt mixed up to 20 dkh before I added fish. I would never use it on my DT.

no dosing. was recommended adding sodium bicarbonate to increase calcium. how much vineger (white i assume) per gal?

 

[ROD SCOTT]

no dosing. was recommended adding sodium bicarbonate to increase calcium. how much vineger (white i assume) per gal?

also used 2 differed test kits and multiple tests. it is coming down very slowley

 

[chipmunkofdoom2]

no dosing. was recommended adding sodium bicarbonate to increase calcium. how much vineger (white i assume) per gal?

That's the problem then. Sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) has absolutely no effect on calcium. If you want to raise your calcium, you need a calcium supplement. Sodium bicarbonate only raises carbonate alkalinity.

If you are currently dosing vinegar to solve this problem, I would stop IMMEDIATELY. Acetic acid will only reduce your carbonate alkalinity temporarily. As the acid is consumed by bacteria, the carbonate alkalinity will begin to rise again. Additionally, the vinegar will cause a bacterial bloom which could seriously harm the inhabitants in your tank if large enough.

Water changes are the best way to fix this problem. I would do a few 50% water changes the next few days until the carbonate alkalinity comes under control.

 

[mbmax]

Good info. Battling same problem.

 

[Reef man 89]

Just wondering if you did any research on sodium bicarbonate before you dosed? You should always always research it before dosing anything.

 

[ROD SCOTT]

also used 2 differed test kits and multiple tests. it is coming down very slowley

over a month from unreadable to 18

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

no dosing. was recommended adding sodium bicarbonate to increase calcium. how much vineger (white i assume) per gal?

Don't ever take advice from that person again. lol

It boosts alkalinity not calcium, and vinegar will not reduce the alkalinity.

 

[ROD SCOTT]

Just wondering if you did any research on sodium bicarbonate before you dosed? You should always always research it before dosing anything.

not a lot levels have been bang on for over 30 years and move. all natural. 3 doses brought my calcium, thats the extent of my doesing. trace elements low dose 1 x per month, and water changes when nitates begin to rise

 

[ROD SCOTT]

Ditto

will change out 10 percent/week till alk drops to 9-12 with low alk salt. never did like adding anything to the tank cept kassa water from Germany not available for years. not useing anything for the last 10

 

[Reef man 89]

That's wild that your dkh was 18. Did you see any negative effects on any of your corals?

 

[ROD SCOTT]

That's wild that your dkh was 18. Did you see any negative effects on any of your corals?

so far everything appears better than ever, damage on new frags is growing over, sps are extending, watching for damage browning.
will continue with water changes weekly until alk drops. will do major water change if problems arise.

 

[jwshiver]

Here is good article from Mr. Randy. Vinegar probably not a good choice after all.
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2002/2/chemistry

 

[ROD SCOTT]

That's the problem then. Sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) has absolutely no effect on calcium. If you want to raise your calcium, you need a calcium supplement. Sodium bicarbonate only raises carbonate alkalinity.

If you are currently dosing vinegar to solve this problem, I would stop IMMEDIATELY. Acetic acid will only reduce your carbonate alkalinity temporarily. As the acid is consumed by bacteria, the carbonate alkalinity will begin to rise again. Additionally, the vinegar will cause a bacterial bloom which could seriously harm the inhabitants in your tank if large enough.

Water changes are the best way to fix this problem. I would do a few 50% water changes the next few days until the carbonate alkalinity comes under control.

i will try that. thhanks

 

[Scorpius]

Buy lots of coral to eat it up. Just kidding. Let it fall on its own. I spiked my alk to 16+ dkh once. I let it fall naturally with very little ill to any inhabitants.

 

[Hans-Werner]

was recommended adding sodium bicarbonate to increase calcium.

With calcifiers like SPS or coralline algae just the opposite is true. If you add sodium bicarbonate calcium will drop and with adding calcium chloride alkalinity will drop. It is because for calcification both, calcium and alkalinity, are needed. Calcification will continue with the added component at the expense of the other component.