KH too high?

[Mandrew]

I just ran some tests on my tank and realized the KH seems a bit high. How can I lower it or shouldnt I worry about it? My test results were as follows: (tests were conducted with API test kits) A little history and description for you, The tank is a 20g long that has been set up for roughly 6 months and for a while went without much care beyond feeding the two fish. The tank has no skimmer, I just run a HOB filter with a bag of Chemipure Elite in it for filteration. I have a few LPS corals and some zoas as well as a cleaner shrimp, emerald crab, and a handful of snails. I recently got back into really taking care of it and have done 2, 4g water changes in the past three days and added some clove polyps and a small acan frag today. If it matters I use IO reef crystals for my salt mix.

SG:1.024
PH: 8.0
Phosphates: 0
Nitrates: 10ppm
Temp: 78
Calcium: 420ppm
KH: 11-12 (hard to tell with API kit)

 

[KJ]

Try different test. Salifert Red Sea . API is not the best for testing your water parameters!!

 

[Mandrew]

I know but it's what I have lol. I plan on getting better ones when I get a chance but is 12kh too high? What can it cause if so?

 

[bobman]

Its pretty high but I would think its the test and not your water thats off with cal at 420

 

[Mandrew]

I don't have a Magnesium test kit so idk what my mag is at, could a low or high mag level affect Kh?

 

[bobman]

ehhh calcium would have a bigger impact on alk than mag although they all play a role in keeping the other in check Thing is I would suspect a mag issue more if your alk was low. Again I would take the water to a lfs and have it tested before I do anything. I still think you have a botched test more than you have high alk. Especially with your salinity at 1.024 and cal at 420. I find it very unlikely alk you be at 12 possible but unlikely.

 

[Mandrew]

Sounds good thanks.

 

[shollis2814]

I have 440 calcium and 12-13 alkalinity right now. Magnesium is running about 1240. Boosting magnesium some can help lower kH from my understanding. kH is high, and may affect some corals, but I don't think it's critically high. It should drop normally over a few days.

 

[Mandrew]

Mine was 12-13 the day before yesterday so it may be slowly dropping already.

 

[shred5]

Stop adding any buffers and it will come down naturally.
If you are not adding buffers test your salt it may be a bad batch.

 

[Wilsoni]

I personally wouldn't be concerned with it falling in that range. Yes it's a little high but if it's solely the number that has you worried and your corals look fine... I'd say run with it.

 

[Wilsoni]

Try different test. Salifert Red Sea . API is not the best for testing your water parameters!!

I fully agree with this... Your next upgrade should be a different test kit. Salifert kits are nice, you can buy one at a time on Amazon or Ebay with free shipping and they're fairly inexpensive. Trust me, it's worth it

 

[Mandrew]

Okay thanks. I don't add anything to the tank as of now. And like I stated in my first post the tank was kind of neglected for a while and I just started really focusing on keeping up on maintenance so the corals aren't exactly thriving. But no deaths as of now.

 

[Wilsoni]

Okay thanks. I don't add anything to the tank as of now. And like I stated in my first post the tank was kind of neglected for a while and I just started really focusing on keeping up on maintenance so the corals aren't exactly thriving. But no deaths as of now.

In your case if you only have a handful of LPS and softies, your consumption is probably extremely low. Water changes alone should be able to keep your parameters in check.

Good luck