Kh and calcium

ashley · Feb 6, 2017

So i tested my water and im not sure if this is right but it took me 13 drops with an api test kit. The water color changed from Blue to yellow. So also my calcium is 300 ..i have recently changed from tap water to ro/di water for the last 4weeks (water changes). These are my water results
Ph-8.2
Ammo-0
Nitrite-0
Nitrate-5.0 (before I started the ro/di it was 2.0)
Phosphate-0
Calcium-300
Kh-13
SG- between 1.025-1.026

Also I have a bit of green algae.....any ideas

Oscar47f · Feb 6, 2017

I would say the API test kits are very unreliable in comparison to salifert and red sea... also the algae could be using up the available phosphate and nitrate so its low enough to not show up on the api test.. i would pull out as much as you can and do a water change to try and starve the algae... GFO is good to use as well in small amounts at first.. and i would raise the calcium to around 420ppm

Flippers4pups · Feb 6, 2017

Okay, your API alkalinity test went from blue to yellow? If I remember right, those go from pink to purple when you hit your value. Sure you didn't mix tests somehow?

ashley · Feb 6, 2017

Oscar47f said:
I would say the API test kits are very unreliable in comparison to salifert and red sea... also the algae could be using up the available phosphate and nitrate so its low enough to not show up on the api test.. i would pull out as much as you can and do a water change to try and starve the algae... GFO is good to use as well in small amounts at first.. and i would raise the calcium to around 420ppm

Ok what about the kh

ashley · Feb 6, 2017

Flippers4pups said:
Okay, your API alkalinity test went from blue to yellow? If I remember right, those go from pink to purple when you hit your value. Sure you didn't mix tests somehow?

No and I know the instructions say it's supposed to test from Orange to green

Oscar47f · Feb 6, 2017

The KH can also be lowered usually through water changes and stuff i keep mine around 9 dkh but it varies

ashley · Feb 6, 2017

I've been doing water changes and it's not lowering

Flippers4pups · Feb 6, 2017

ashley said:
Ok what about the kh

API alkalinity test is KH (carbonate hardness)

"If the water sample contains 1dkh or less, the solution will turn from clear to pale yellow after the first drop is added"

So I'm wrong, blue to yellow when you hit your value.

ashley · Feb 6, 2017

Flippers4pups said:
API alkalinity test is KH (carbonate hardness)

"If the water sample contains 1dkh or less, the solution will turn from clear to pale yellow after the first drop is added"

So I'm wrong, blue to yellow when you hit your value.

Sorry in confused

Flippers4pups · Feb 6, 2017

ashley said:
Sorry in confused

It's goes from yellow to blue. If it read 13 dkh, I would test it again.

13 dkh and calcium at 300. What's your mag at?

ashley · Feb 6, 2017

I dont have a test kit for mag...well im is going from Blue to yellow

Sandroni · Feb 6, 2017

Flippers4pups said:
It's goes from yellow to blue. If it read 13 dkh, I would test it again.

13 dkh and calcium at 300. What's your mag at?

blue to yellow is alk, pink to blue is cal

Sandroni · Feb 6, 2017

i'm experiencing the same think dKH is 10 Cal is low around 300, i believe it is the test kit, so i am going to the pet store to have them test it.

Flippers4pups · Feb 6, 2017

I don't use API kits. Last time I did was years and years ago.

If OP's alkalinity is at 13 dkh, I would do nothing, as it will want to balance out in time with calcium and magnesium. Testing for alkalinity, calcium and magnesium on a regular basis is preferred.

Flippers4pups · Feb 6, 2017

ashley said:
I dont have a test kit for mag...well im is going from Blue to yellow

I meant blue to yellow. Sorry.

Randy Holmes-Farley · Feb 6, 2017

It is not at all surprising the alkalinity might be 13 dKH. Some salt mixes start close to that.

What salt mix and what, if anything, have you added to the tank?

300 ppm calcium sounds unlikely unless the salinity is very low or you have added lots of buffers over an extended period without calcium dosing.

ashley · Feb 7, 2017

Yes....s.

AndysReef said:
i'm experiencing the same think dKH is 10 Cal is low around 300, i believe it is the test kit, so i am going to the pet store to have them test it.

Mine don't test for mag..they just say I can but it. I just ordered on on amazon I should be getting the mag test on friday

ashley · Feb 7, 2017

Flippers4pups said:
I don't use API kits. Last time I did was years and years ago.

If OP's alkalinity is at 13 dkh, I would do nothing, as it will want to balance out in time with calcium and magnesium. Testing for alkalinity, calcium and magnesium on a regular basis is preferred.

Ya i just dont have the money to buy all new test kit. I gotta work with what I have. I did just but a mag test on amazon

jason2459 · Feb 7, 2017

Oscar47f said:
I would say the API test kits are very unreliable in comparison to salifert and red sea... also the algae could be using up the available phosphate and nitrate so its low enough to not show up on the api test.. i would pull out as much as you can and do a water change to try and starve the algae... GFO is good to use as well in small amounts at first.. and i would raise the calcium to around 420ppm

FWIW, my experience with API Alk and Ca have been right on par with all the other test kits out there including Salifert and Red Sea.

jason2459 · Feb 7, 2017

ashley said:
Ya i just dont have the money to buy all new test kit. I gotta work with what I have. I did just but a mag test on amazon

This may be helpful in the future.
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/b...ert-api-hanna-triton-awt.234660/#post-2734943

Only Mg kit I can't recommend is the Red Sea Pro one. Otherwise the other Red Sea pro kits seem just fine.