How to lower Alkalinity

[Zack K]

So I ran out of my alkalinity test lest week so I ordered a new NYOS kit along with a Magnesium and Phosphate one. I was using API and getting a reading of 7-9 all the time. Everything was good. I noticed my few frags of SPS didn't open one day while I was waiting for my new kits. Then overnight my hydnophora bleached all but the tip. My birds of paradise is looking okay but the tips are a little whitish. I got the test kits today and saw my Alk was 15! I really wish API didn't make such inaccurate tests! So this leads me to. How is the world did my Alk get so high and how do I lower it. I do not have a Calcium reactor, and I do not dose. Any suggestions?

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

How many times did you test?
I assume your not dosing as you didn't mention it.

 

[jsker]

What salt are you using. Some salts have very high alk for faster growth. The only way is to let the Alk dissipate over time

 

[Zack K]

How many times did you test?
I assume your not dosing as you didn't mention it.

I do not have a Calcium reactor, and I do not dose.

I did only test once for the first time. I will definitely do it again here shortly.

 

[Zack K]

What salt are you using. Some salts have very high alk for faster growth. The only way is to let the Alk dissipate over time

I use the Kent salt. Is their a better salt to use?

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

It prob fine. Just curious on the alk content.

I'll go with test error first. And google the alk on that salt. It should say on the can.
I belive RCSP is the highest at 13.

 

[Zack K]

I just retested and it took 15 drops

This salt has a lot of calcium in it.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Yo belive the alk on that salt is only 8.5.

Are you using a ph buffer?

 

[FlyinBryan]

Count your blessings and wait a few days and it'll go down. Or do a couple water changes with a different salt.
Use a salifert test. IMO most accurate and reliable. Test 2x

 

[jsker]

I use the Kent salt. Is their a better salt to use?

My thought is to get a small amount of Kent marine salt and use it for a couple of water changes to bring down your alk.

 

[Zack K]

Count your blessings and wait a few days and it'll go down. Or do a couple water changes with a different salt.
Use a salifert test. IMO most accurate and reliable. Test 2x

I wish I could count my blessings. I have not done a water change coming up on 4weeks. I've been slacking. Everything has been looking good and stable.

 

[jsker]

I wish I could count my blessings. I have not done a water change coming up on 4weeks. I've been slacking. Everything has been looking good and stable.

Do you and how many corals do you have in the tank?

 

[Myka]

Are you using tap water?

 

[Zack K]

Do you and how many corals do you have in the tank?

1, 2 branch frag of Frogspawn
Few Kenya Trees
Few Zoa frags
A now white Hydnophora
A birds of paradise frag
2 sheets of GSP
3 shrooms

Are you using tap water?

RODI

 

[swensos]

I use Kent salt and find the alkalinity to be very low, like 6.8. I have to increase it by other means. The magnesium and calcium are high.

 

[AdamNC]

Maybe try switching up your salt brand.
I stole this chart from the other forum.

 

[Scott.h]

I wouldn't recommend API kits for someone trying to maintain a reef, as the tolerances just aren't close enough. I have several brands depending on which parameter, but Salifert is hard to beat on kh. Very precise, and easy to read.

Second, hydrocloic acid will kill kh (also ph) so don't dose your display. I do however dose my new saltwater before my water changes. Then use an air stone to drive out the co2 and raise ph back to normal.

There are many good salt mixes out there. I don't want to turn this into a salt mix debate. Just an FYI no reason for calcium to be that high, as it will probably just precipitate or increase calcification on pumps and heaters. If your new saltwater kh is really that high.. even say 13, many sensitive corals won't tolerate that. Always exceptions, but generally speaking.

 

[Myka]

What goes into your tank besides salt mix and fish food? Any coral foods? Anything like "Purple Up" or "pH Buffer"?

 

[Zack K]

What goes into your tank besides salt mix and fish food? Any coral foods? Anything like "Purple Up" or "pH Buffer"?

Just NSW and food

 

[BoomCorals]

Maybe try switching up your salt brand.
I stole this chart from the other forum.

That chart is missing fritz which is about 8.5 dkh.