KH is off the chart!

[Dom]

KH in one of my tanks is off the chart.

Using Red Sea KH test kit and after 4ml of reagent, still have not reached the end color.

Tested twice to check for errors.

pH is 8.3

I've been doing water changes, relying on the balance of reef crystal mix to correct it.

This all started when I was added Kent Marine CA supplement to my top off.

Suggestions?

 

[Brew12]

KH in one of my tanks is off the chart.

Using Red Sea KH test kit and after 4ml of reagent, still have not reached the end color.

Tested twice to check for errors.

pH is 8.3

I've been doing water changes, relying on the balance of reef crystal mix to correct it.

This all started when I was added Kent Marine CA supplement to my top off.

Suggestions?

You added a calcium supplement to your ATO and now have high Alk?

I would suggest testing your fresh mixed saltwater and see how it tests. Make sure the test set is ok.

 

[Dom]

I checked the expiration on the reagent... 7/18. Maybe this is the problem?

I just received my new Red Sea Kits:
Reef Foundation Pro Multi Test Kit (Ca, Alk, Mg)
Algae Control Multi Test Kit (NO3/PO4)
Ammonia Test Kit

I'm going to try the test with the new kit and see if the results change.

I don't understand why my parameters would be off so much as I do 20% weekly using Reef Crystals.

 

[Dom]

You added a calcium supplement to your ATO and now have high Alk?

I would suggest testing your fresh mixed saltwater and see how it tests. Make sure the test set is ok.

Yes... I didn't know if it was relevant. Just mentioning it. I've noticed that my hammer has shrunk since I added CA supplement. Glad I only tried it on one tank.

I've broken my own rule: "If it isn't broken, don't fix it". That's exactly what I did.

 

[jsker]

I was going to say, get a different brand of test kit to check your alk to be sure. I now use Hanna and Aquaforest to check the hanna. Elos makes a dead on alk test also

 

[Brew12]

I checked the expiration on the reagent... 7/18. Maybe this is the problem?

I just received my new Red Sea Kits:
Reef Foundation Pro Multi Test Kit (Ca, Alk, Mg)
Algae Control Multi Test Kit (NO3/PO4)
Ammonia Test Kit

I'm going to try the test with the new kit and see if the results change.

I don't understand why my parameters would be off so much as I do 20% weekly using Reef Crystals.

I would double check your salinity and then test your fresh mixed saltwater. Reef Crystals is pretty high in alkalinity but it should be on scale.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Also, when you do not hit the endpoint with a test like this, use a second syringe to get to the color change, then add the two values together to get the actual value.

 

[Ab_Bot]

I have been having problems with my alkalinity as well. Do you test for magnesium? This BRS video might help you.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

The OP said the alkalinity is too high. That cannot be due to magnesium, no matter what the level is.

 

[Ab_Bot]

The OP said the alkalinity is too high. That cannot be due to magnesium, no matter what the level is.

Oh ok. After I watched that video I kind of thought that high magnesium would prevent calcium and carbonate from forming calcium carbonate. Which would mean you would increase both calcium and alkalinity... Made sense to me anyways lol.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Oh ok. After I watched that video I kind of thought that high magnesium would prevent calcium and carbonate from forming calcium carbonate. Which would mean you would increase both calcium and alkalinity... Made sense to me anyways lol.

In general, magnesium binds to calcium carbonate surfaces and thereby reduces abiotic precipitation of calcium carbonate. That part is correct.

But unless you dose alkalinity when you do not need it, it cannot make alkalinity get too high to begin with.

 

[rosshamsandwich]

In general, magnesium binds to calcium carbonate surfaces and thereby reduces abiotic precipitation of calcium carbonate. That part is correct.

But unless you dose alkalinity when you do not need it, it cannot make alkalinity get too high to begin with.

i agreet