Salifert Alkalinity test result-0 change?

[Bwing602]

I'm changing over from a FOWLR tank to one with a couple of gsp and zoas, so just used the Salifert alkalinity test for the first time. To my dismay it's showing...nothing. Supposedly zero alk result at all. I've run it several times, same thing-the color never changes as it's supposed to to something other than blue. Is it even possible my 50g tank, with 5 happy fish and so-so looking gsps has zero alk, or is the test I just got a dud? Anyone else had this issue?

 

[Garf]

I'm changing over from a FOWLR tank to one with a couple of gsp and zoas, so just used the Salifert alkalinity test for the first time. To my dismay it's showing...nothing. Supposedly zero alk result at all. I've run it several times, same thing-the color never changes as it's supposed to to something other than blue. Is it even possible my 50g tank, with 5 happy fish and so-so looking gsps has zero alk, or is the test I just got a dud? Anyone else had this issue?

I think your reading the results upside down.
Add a bit more from another syringe full and it should change. This means your Alk is super high, not low.

 

[redfishbluefish]

Impossible to be zero. The lowest alk salt that I'm aware of is around 7 dkh. So something is either wrong with the kit or the test methods. And just so you know, softies (like gsp and zoas), do not consume alkalinity. Your hard corals (SPS and LPS) as well as clams need alk and calc.

 

[Bwing602]

I think your reading the results upside down.
Add a bit more from another syringe full and it should change. This means your Alk is super high, not low.

Wait--what? That's within the realm of possibility? I figured with adding one drop at a time, to show the exact moment the color changes and give me the alk reading...I mean, the test doesn't even suggest there's an option for more than 1ml making a difference. Now I'm really panicking!

 

[Garf]

Wait--what? That's within the realm of possibility? I figured with adding one drop at a time, to show the exact moment the color changes and give me the alk reading...I mean, the test doesn't even suggest there's an option for more than 1ml making a difference. Now I'm really panicking!

Especially if you’ve used tap water or added pH buffers, yes.

 

[Reef Tripp]

Do the low resolution test, or add a second syringe as discussed above

 

[redfishbluefish]

What salt are you using and at what salinity? Assume you are not dosing.

 

[redfishbluefish]

Especially if you’ve used tap water or added pH buffers, yes.

Great point. Didn't even think about using tap water. If it's city water (i.e. not personal well), acidic water is typically adjusted at the water plant with sodium bicarb.

 

[Rmckoy]

Not changing colour would be the opposite .
higher than the chart .
requiring more reagent to change the colour

 

[Rmckoy]

Not changing colour would be the opposite .
higher than the chart .
requiring more reagent to change the colour

Sorry I was wrong .

salifert kit starts off high and the more added is lower dkh

 

[Justdrew]

Sorry I was wrong .

salifert kit starts off high and the more added is lower dkh

You were right the first time. The more reagent you add the higher the ALK.

 

[redfishbluefish]

Sorry I was wrong .

salifert kit starts off high and the more added is lower dkh

Unless they have changed their kits, you match the reading on the syringe to the chart, where the more you use, the higher the alkalinity. It's Red Sea where you subtract your reading from 1.0, not Salifert.

So if you use the entire syringe, that's 15.7 dkh.

 

[Bwing602]

What salt are you using and at what salinity? Assume you are not dosing.

I'm not dosing(yet)-and used Instant Ocean-which I just read 2 minutes ago has the highest salinity of about a dozen I just saw listed. Shoot me now.
Ok, just ran the test again. 1&1/2 syringefulls got me to purple. This apparently means my alk is--30?!

 

[Garf]

More like 23 but look on the bright side, your pH should be fairly stable
Looks like your gonna be getting a lower Alk Salt and doing some waterchanges then?

 

[Bwing602]

Immediately!
But let me ask this-should I also dose with vinegar? I mean, at that level-with my water change?

 

[Garf]

I would just change some water over the next few days but I’m not even sure Zoas and GSP are negatively affected by high Alk.

 

[Greg P]

What is your Salinity right now?

 

[Acros]

If your salinity is 1.026 or thereabouts, I would suggest you get a second person to test your water (maybe an LFS). Preferably using a different test kit.

 

[Greg P]

Immediately!
But let me ask this-should I also dose with vinegar? I mean, at that level-with my water change?

Vinegar dosing will only temporarily lower Alk. Don't bother.
Let's verify your level first

 

[Bwing602]

What is your Salinity right now?

1.025