Super high Alkalinity?

[Arjuna32]

I was testing my water parameters after I did a water change because my calcium was extremely low (200-300) and it turns out my alkalinity is super high. I also tested it with the API test kit too and that gave me 18dkh.how would I go about fixing this?

 

[Jekyl]

Those tests you're using aren't reliable for saltwater tanks. Get a second opinion before doing anything. Preferably from a salifert, red sea, or hanna test.

 

[Arjuna32]

Those tests you're using aren't reliable for saltwater tanks. Get a second opinion before doing anything. Preferably from a salifert, red sea, or hanna test.

Alright I’ll get a Salifert test kit then thank you!

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I know its at the top end of that dip stick, and also may not be accurate, but 180 ppm calcium carbonate equivalents is also not extremely high. Many salt mixes are higher. I recommend 125-200 ppm calcium carbonate equivalents (= 7-11 dKH).

I'll remove the emergency tag for now.

 

[Arjuna32]

I know its at the top end of that dip stick, and also may not be accurate, but 180 ppm calcium carbonate equivalents is also not extremely high. Many salt mixes are higher. I recommend 125-200 ppm calcium carbonate equivalents (= 7-11 dKH).

I'll remove the emergency tag for now.

Alright I see. Thank you!

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Alright I see. Thank you!

You’re welcome.

Happy Reefing!

 

[Arjuna32]

You’re welcome.

Happy Reefing!

Yeah so I got the salifert test today and it’s giving me a 14dkh. Turns out my PO4 is also high so do you think I should do a water change to lower the alkalinity and then fight the phosphate?

 

[Jekyl]

Yeah so I got the salifert test today and it’s giving me a 14dkh. Turns out my PO4 is also high so do you think I should do a water change to lower the alkalinity and then fight the phosphate?

What salt are you using? What are you using to measure salinity? Are you dosing anything?

 

[Arjuna32]

What salt are you using? What are you using to measure salinity? Are you dosing anything?

I dose pH buffer and reef complete. Haven’t had much a problem with those until recently. I’m using instant ocean reef crystals and I use a refractometer

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I dose pH buffer and reef complete. Haven’t had much a problem with those until recently. I’m using instant ocean reef crystals and I use a refractometer

The reef crystals starts high (> 11 dKH; measure it) and the buffer will push it higher.

stop any buffer and see if it begins to decline.

 

[Arjuna32]

The reef crystals starts high (> 11 dKH; measure it) and the buffer will push it higher.

stop any buffer and see if it begins to decline.

Alright will do. And yeah that makes sense. I tested the alkalinity of the water I change with and got 11