Kh/ alkalinity

[newtomarine]

Just did my kh and alkalinity test and they read 11.5 kh and 4.10 alkalinity how can I bring this down

 

[Downbeach]

Are you using any type of pH buffers? If so, I would stop, as they are just an alkalinity supplement. At that level, I would just let it come down on its own.

 

[newtomarine]

How do they come down on there own. I don't put any chemicals in my tank

 

[Downbeach]

The uptake of alkalinity and Ca in a reef system is roughly 50ppm(2.8dkH) to every 20ppm of Ca(this includes abiotic precipitation), so the time it takes to come down will depend on your load. What salt mix are you using? If you're using a "Reef/Pro" type salt mix, i.e. Reef Crystals vs plain IO, or Red Sea Coral Pro vs plain Red Sea, etc., which contain elevated levels of Ca, Mg and Alk, and don't have much load to utilize those elements, it may take some time for your numbers to come down. WC's using this type of salt mix will further prolong the decline.

 

[Diesel]

It will come down over time.
Not sure how long this tank is setup but adding in corals will help you naturally.
Coraline will consume some of it too,

 

[Alanc425]

11.5 is not bad just on the higher end of the scale. As others have said, it will come down naturally over time. But if it really bothers you....then water changes lol

 

[Ronald Brown]

I know that this is an older thread but I use an api kh test kit and I came out at 15 drops . I know that I need to get better testing equipment.

 

[Diesel]

I know that this is an older thread but I use an api kh test kit and I came out at 15 drops . I know that I need to get better testing equipment.

Red Sea or Hanna on the ALK

 

[Ronald Brown]

I use red sea for mag. I'll try Hanna on alk. Thanks

 

[Downbeach]

Are you using any type of pH buffer? If so you might want to stop, since it just a blend of alkalinity supplement's. Continued use will simply keep elevating your alk, while having little to no effect on your pH.

 

[Ronald Brown]

Thank you all for your input and knowledge. I'll try to get some new testers. My pH dropped to 7.9and ai added proper 8.2 pH buffer over a week ago. So this might be the culprit.

 

[Diesel]

Thank you all for your input and knowledge. I'll try to get some new testers. My pH dropped to 7.9and ai added proper 8.2 pH buffer over a week ago. So this might be the culprit.

Great my friend.
Let us know in a few weeks how your tank is coming along.