Rising alkalinity

[Gary LeCompte]

I have a 180 gal. tank. I am in cycle now using red sea reef mature kit. Been in cycle now for 16 days. My alkalinity is rising. A few days ago it was at 12.26 dkh. I did approx. 50 gal. water change. It came down to 11.42 dkh. The next day 11.42 dkh, the next 12.04 dkh, the next today, 12.50 dkh
Calcium today 435, PH-8.09 The only thing I am adding is the KH Corralline Gro, and the algae management NO3O4-X.
I was reading another post earlier with similar issues. But I don't have any corals or anything in the tank at the moment. So I'm not adding anything.
I am using dead live rock that was in my system years ago that was cured a while back. Months ago.
Any information would gladly be appreciated.

 

[Coralreefer1]

Water changes are good...what is your magnesium level? Sometimes the best thing to do is nothing as often times things have a way of balancing out!

 

[cracker]

So your alk levels are too high? it's most likely the salt your using to mix new water . this salt could have real high alk already in it. What salt brand are you using?

 

[SPR1968]

Welcome to R2R Gary it’s great to have you with us!

It’s not that high and the differences you mention are probably test error as there very small. the test kits we use are hobby grade with a margin of test error anyway. I ran my system at 12.6 for accelerated growth for over 12 months.

The Red Sea Coral Pro for example mixes to around 11-12.6 dKH so it depends what your using

In any case I wouldn’t panic and just wait until everything stabilises as it’s cycles as you haven’t got any corals in yet.

 

[dwest]

Welcome to R2R Gary it’s great to have you with us!

It’s not that high and the differences you mention are probably test error as there very small. the test kits we use are hobby grade with a margin of test error anyway. I ran my system at 12.6 for accelerated growth for over 12 months.

The Red Sea Coral Pro for example mixes to around 11-12.6 dKH so it depends what your using

In any case I wouldn’t panic and just wait until everything stabilises as it’s cycles as you haven’t got any corals in yet.

Plus, you are adding an alkalinity supplement (kh corraline gro), with likely very little alkalinity removal. You should be able to keep alkalinity stable with small wc for now.