Lowering alkalinity in new saltwater

[LobsterOfJustice]

I’ve noticed through the use of my alk monitor that I have a pretty significant all spike after water change. I actually introduce the water slowly by gradually pumping into the system (like an automatic water change) but still get a spike that lingers for almost two days.

I’ve heard you can use muriatic acid, but as I was in the aisle of the hardware store today I chickened out since this is an industrial chemical with no standard or claim of purity of any kind. Is there another option using some kind of food grade ingredient?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

You can get high grade HCl, or you can use sodium bisulfate (not bisulfite). Seachem acid buffer is likely this material, but it gives no grade either.