New Water Mixing to 20 dKH

[Dom]

Just like the title says.

I had a bad batch of salt that was mixing to around 5.5 dKH. So I supplemented in the mixing station to about 9 dKH.

I tested a small mix with the new salt, which comes in at 8.5 dKH. But when I mix 10 gallons in the mixing station for a water change, it comes in at 20 dKH!

Is this because I supplemented ALK in the mixing station previously? Is lingering residue causing this?

What do you recommend I use to get any residual ALK (Kent Marine SuperBuffer) out? I was thinking white vinegar and water?

Dom

 

[Mastiffsrule]

Hey @Dom,

Can I first ask which salt and test kit. Are we sure it was a bad batch of salt?

 

[Dom]

Hey @Dom,

Can I first ask which salt and test kit. Are we sure it was a bad batch of salt?

There isn't anything wrong with this salt mix. BRS replaced it for me and it mixes to about 8.5. I've done a test mix in a 1 gallon glass jug.

The problem is when I mix water in my mixing station. I did dose ALK in there once and am wondering if the reason I'm getting high ALK is from residue when I added ALK to the mix the last time.

I have white vinegar to add to the new water, hoping to get the ALK down before I put it in the DT. But Randy doesn't recommend it.

 

[Mastiffsrule]

There isn't anything wrong with this salt mix. BRS replaced it for me and it mixes to about 8.5. I've done a test mix in a 1 gallon glass jug.

The problem is when I mix water in my mixing station. I did dose ALK in there once and am wondering if the reason I'm getting high ALK is from residue when I added ALK to the mix the last time.

I have white vinegar to add to the new water, hoping to get the ALK down before I put it in the DT. But Randy doesn't recommend it.

Ah, got it.

 

[Dom]

Ah, got it.

FYI: I did a good cleaning of my mixing station. Apparently residue in the mixing container was elevating the ALK (as I was supplementing ALK to new water).

Once thoroughly cleaned, I got a lovely 8.5 dKH without supplement.