Noob Chemistry Question - Good pH + high dKH?

[ShrimpBandit]

My inherited tank is only fish, crabs, shrimp, and snails at the moment, but I'm trying to get my chemistry game in line before I start my first reef build from scratch. I've been using the API Master Kit (I know, I know) and everything has been on point since it cycled. Today, I added the Reef Kit to the testing regime, and while pH is still in line at 8.2, the dKH is way up at 20. I figured that must be wrong and tested twice. Still 20.

What the heck is going on there? Could it be a faulty test kit? Why would the dKH be so high when my pH is just fine?

Most of the resources I've found have info about raising the dKH, but not lowering it. Does this even matter if it's not actually a reef tank, yet?

 

[Ippyroy]

My inherited tank is only fish, crabs, shrimp, and snails at the moment, but I'm trying to get my chemistry game in line before I start my first reef build from scratch. I've been using the API Master Kit (I know, I know) and everything has been on point since it cycled. Today, I added the Reef Kit to the testing regime, and while pH is still in line at 8.2, the dKH is way up at 20. I figured that must be wrong and tested twice. Still 20.

What the heck is going on there? Could it be a faulty test kit? Why would the dKH be so high when my pH is just fine?

Most of the resources I've found have info about raising the dKH, but not lowering it. Does this even matter if it's not actually a reef tank, yet?

I would use another test kit or go to a LFS to confirm. You can dose white vinegar to lower Alk BTW.

 

[ShrimpBandit]

I would use another test kit or go to a LFS to confirm. You can dose white vinegar to lower Alk BTW.

Thanks for the vinegar suggestion. Will that mess with the pH? Safe for all the critters?

I'll try another test kit, but I live in a place that's rural AF and my LFS is at least a 90 minute drive - sort of last resort, but I'll keep it in mind. Thanks!

 

[Ippyroy]

Thanks for the vinegar suggestion. Will that mess with the pH? Safe for all the critters?

I'll try another test kit, but I live in a place that's rural AF and my LFS is at least a 90 minute drive - sort of last resort, but I'll keep it in mind. Thanks!

I'm 2 hours away from nearest LFS and 5 from a good one. I use the Hana Checker for Alk. It's a little pricey up front, but only 9 bucks for new reagent.

 

[Ippyroy]

I've never dosed it, but you can look it up on here. Lots of threads about it. Good luck and don't forget to start a build thread, we love pics!

 

[ShrimpBandit]

I'm 2 hours away from nearest LFS and 5 from a good one. I use the Hana Checker for Alk. It's a little pricey up front, but only 9 bucks for new reagent.

Thanks, I'll check it out! Also - out of curiosity, being that far away, how do you safely procure new livestock?

 

[ShrimpBandit]

I've never dosed it, but you can look it up on here. Lots of threads about it. Good luck and don't forget to start a build thread, we love pics!

I'm looking forward to doing a build thread. I just *picked up my rocks* and will start curing them ASAP, while we build the stand and get the sump all put together. I'm excited to have documentation of progress.

 

[Ippyroy]

Thanks, I'll check it out! Also - out of curiosity, being that far away, how do you safely procure new livestock?

LiveAquaria has been great for CUC and fish. EBay and a live sale on here for corals and I used IPSF.com for some other stuff. hasn't been an issue with them. Used reefcleaners twice, and lots of dead CUC. Won't use them again.

 

[Ippyroy]

I'm looking forward to doing a build thread. I just *picked up my rocks* and will start curing them ASAP, while we build the stand and get the sump all put together. I'm excited to have documentation of progress.

I put my rocks in a brute with saltwater, heater, and a pump for 4 months. Ghost fed and used Microbacter XLM. After I put them in the DT it was off to the races and no NO3 spike because it was all in the brute.

 

[ShrimpBandit]

LiveAquaria has been great for CUC and fish. EBay and a live sale on here for corals and I used IPSF.com for some other stuff. hasn't been an issue with them. Used reefcleaners twice, and lots of dead CUC. Won't use them again.

Thanks for the recommendations. I was concerned because I live pretty far north - when I've ordered things like wine through the mail, it's arrived frozen and broken more times than I can count. Maybe I should just plan to *not* order livestock in the winter.

 

[Ippyroy]

Thanks for the recommendations. I was concerned because I live pretty far north - when I've ordered things like wine through the mail, it's arrived frozen and broken more times than I can count. Maybe I should just plan to *not* order livestock in the winter.

I'm in West Yellowstone, MT. 40 plus below 0 regularly in the winter. I can't order livestock from November thru March/April. I can't even order bacteria. I feel your pain. That is why I use XLM, it can be frozen.

 

[ShrimpBandit]

I'm in West Yellowstone, MT. 40 plus below 0 regularly in the winter. I can't order livestock from November thru March/April. I can't even order bacteria. I feel your pain. That is why I use XLM, it can be frozen.

Lol, glad to know someone else feels my pain. And shares my calendar. If I'm in build mode now, I'll probably be ready to add livestock right about the time that I can't order anything. This hobby is about patience, right?

 

[Ippyroy]

For me it's patience, then a mad rush to get what I need, pray it works out, then more patience, repeat. I am hoping to upgrade in October. It all depends on how this pandemic goes. If we are still busy and I can continue working full time then it is on.

 

[dbowman5]

hi again, the vinegar might be useful in confirming your test results instead of dosing the tank. you might use a volume of tank water and dose that and retest.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I would use another test kit or go to a LFS to confirm. You can dose white vinegar to lower Alk BTW.

No, not true.

Vinegar is not a suitable way to lower alkalinity. It lowers it only for the short period of time until the acetate is metabolized, which might only be a few hours.

That is why folks (like myself) can dose vinegar as an organic carbon source without lowering alkalinity.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Thanks for the vinegar suggestion. Will that mess with the pH? Safe for all the critters?

I'll try another test kit, but I live in a place that's rural AF and my LFS is at least a 90 minute drive - sort of last resort, but I'll keep it in mind. Thanks!

Do not follow the vinegar advice. it is not correct.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I've never dosed it, but you can look it up on here. Lots of threads about it. Good luck and don't forget to start a build thread, we love pics!

Read the threads more closely. The lots of threads on vinegar are for carbon dosing, possibly pH lowering. NOT alkalinity lowering (any that are are incorrect).

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

My inherited tank is only fish, crabs, shrimp, and snails at the moment, but I'm trying to get my chemistry game in line before I start my first reef build from scratch. I've been using the API Master Kit (I know, I know) and everything has been on point since it cycled. Today, I added the Reef Kit to the testing regime, and while pH is still in line at 8.2, the dKH is way up at 20. I figured that must be wrong and tested twice. Still 20.

What the heck is going on there? Could it be a faulty test kit? Why would the dKH be so high when my pH is just fine?

Most of the resources I've found have info about raising the dKH, but not lowering it. Does this even matter if it's not actually a reef tank, yet?

Did you possibly make the salt water from tap water? That can add a lot of alkalinity.

 

[Ippyroy]

I am so sorry. It was muriatic acid which I haven't tried.

 

[tvan]

Synthetic salt and tap water may be the cause of high alkalinity. Testing the water before adding salt may help you find answers(and save salt). Seachem acid buffer will lower alk a little and ph a lot.