Normal pH + high dK

[ShrimpBandit]

My pH has been stable at 8.2, but I just tested my dKH with a new kit and it read at 20 dKH - twice.

What the heck is going on? If it's not a faulty test kit, what could cause this and how can I fix it?

 

[WIReefer]

What test kit are you using? I would assume that’s not correct

 

[ShrimpBandit]

What test kit are you using? I would assume that’s not correct

I'm a noob, so it's an API kit.

Recommendations on a better alternative?

 

[dbowman5]

i use Salifert. perhaps you could take a sample of water to your LFS for a quick check.
are you using the drop bottle kit?

 

[dbowman5]

like

this?

 

[ShrimpBandit]

like

this?

That's the one.

 

[WIReefer]

I'm a noob, so it's an API kit.

Recommendations on a better alternative?

Hanna would be my suggestion

 

[ShrimpBandit]

i use Salifert. perhaps you could take a sample of water to your LFS for a quick check.
are you using the drop bottle kit?

And I'll check it out. My LFS is like 90 minutes away.

 

[ShrimpBandit]

So, all that is to say - try a new test because that combo isn't likely to be a real thing?

 

[dbowman5]

That's the one.

i am cautious about asking this but are you sure that you followed the instructions exactly. 5 ml sample counting drops? twenty drops seems like a lot. have you tried diluting the sample with DI water to see if 1 ml sample plus 4 ml DI would give a result of 4 dKH?

 

[ShrimpBandit]

i am cautious about asking this but are you sure that you followed the instructions exactly. 5 ml sample counting drops? twenty drops seems like a lot. have you tried diluting the sample with DI water to see if 1 ml sample plus 4 ml DI would give a result of 4 dKH?

No worries. I figured I'd screwed something up, which is why I did the test twice. Re-read the instructions a few times. I use an oral syringe, so I measured the 5 ml and then counted drops to be sure. Did a control sample with the source water I use to mix my salt water, but didn't try the dilution approach.

It's been maybe 48 hours since the last water change, so maybe I'll try again and see if anything has changed.

 

[dbowman5]

No worries. I figured I'd screwed something up, which is why I did the test twice. Re-read the instructions a few times. I use an oral syringe, so I measured the 5 ml and then counted drops to be sure. Did a control sample with the source water I use to mix my salt water, but didn't try the dilution approach.

It's been maybe 48 hours since the last water change, so maybe I'll try again and see if anything has changed.

you mentioned a new test kit. did you have one before or this is the first kit you have used?
is there a chance that the bottle may have ever frozen?
what is the exp date on your bottle?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Did you use tap water to make this salt water? That could give you 20 dKH and pH could be "normal".

How are you measuring salinity? What is it?

 

[ShrimpBandit]

you mentioned a new test kit. did you have one before or this is the first kit you have used?
is there a chance that the bottle may have ever frozen?
what is the exp date on your bottle?

I was using the API Master Test Kit, but just added the API Reef Kit to the rotation. It was shipped, but I don't expect it would have frozen. Exp date is 2023.

Did you use tap water to make this salt water? That could give you 20 dKH and pH could be "normal".

How are you measuring salinity? What is it?

Using artesian water that has been testing neutral. Salinity in the tank is 1.026 with a refractometer.

 

[ShrimpBandit]

* Also, apologies - I initially asked this question in my "new member" intro thread and received no response, so I asked again in two places. Now I've got dual threads on the same issue. Is there a way to merge them?

 

[Cory]

i am cautious about asking this but are you sure that you followed the instructions exactly. 5 ml sample counting drops? twenty drops seems like a lot. have you tried diluting the sample with DI water to see if 1 ml sample plus 4 ml DI would give a result of 4 dKH?

Iirc 20 drops is normal on api. Its like .5dkh per drop. Mine took 18 drops usually.

 

[ShrimpBandit]

Iirc 20 drops is normal on api. Its like .5dkh per drop. Mine took 18 drops usually.

I was concerned when I checked the chart and found myself... off it. This makes me feel a little better.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Using artesian water that has been testing neutral. Salinity in the tank is 1.026 with a refractometer.

What does "testing neutral" mean? Water can have alkalinity and not have high pH.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

* Also, apologies - I initially asked this question in my "new member" intro thread and received no response, so I asked again in two places. Now I've got dual threads on the same issue. Is there a way to merge them?

They can be merged, but then get too confusing about who is replying to what questions.

 

[Cory]

I was concerned when I checked the chart and found myself... off it. This makes me feel a little better.

Wait maybe im thinking their calcium was 18 drops...