Very Confused

[blkhawk10]

Somehow my alkalinity keeps going up and I don't know why...I don't add any additives other than amino acids maybe a couple times a week...what could be causing this?

 

[ahiggins]

By up and up, could it be testing error?
How high are you talking?

 

[blkhawk10]

It possibly could be testing error but I feel like the odds aren't that good considering I use a hanna checker and a salifert kit...we're talking about 2 dkh over 6 days.

 

[dragon99]

What type of rock? Concrete can cause Alk to increase, so if the rocks are artificial that might be the cause.

 

[blkhawk10]

It's live rock...some haitian and some other type, I can't remember the name I'm pretty sure it starts with a t but it's not tonga.

 

[ahiggins]

I've never seen that...be sure to update when you find out the culprit

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Do you use tap water to replace evaporation?

How much of an increase are we talking about?

 

[ahiggins]

It possibly could be testing error but I feel like the odds aren't that good considering I use a hanna checker and a salifert kit...we're talking about 2 dkh over 6 days.

@Randy Holmes-Farley - 2dkh over 6 days...at first I thought it could have been testing error (if using a titration) but 6 days seems like a trend. Ive never seen it before.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

@Randy Holmes-Farley - 2dkh over 6 days...at first I thought it could have been testing error (if using a titration) but 6 days seems like a trend. Ive never seen it before.

If you are not using tap water and do not have artificial rocks, I'd just monitor it as alk doesn't rise excessively on its own.