Water test question

SammiMitch · Mar 14, 2016

My water tests. I have the Api saltwater test kit and Api reef kit. I completely understand the nitrogen cycle and the calcium test and phosphate. But I'm not understanding the KH test and what it is exactly. I did the test. And I did 18 drops to get the blue to turn yellow. So that's 322.2ppm. How do I get it to go down?Or do I not need to worry? And I noticed that it only raised when I added a buffer to raise my PH.

SammiMitch · Mar 14, 2016

Well I feel like an idiot lol just read the buffer bottle again...right on the bottle says increases KH to raise PH hahaha! I'm dumb. Anyways still is it ok that he KH is high like that?

Cory · Mar 14, 2016

Kh is basically a measure of how much bicarbonate/ carbonate is in the water. Or simply said how much baking soda is in the water (you can use baking soda to raise kh). The higher the kh the higher the ph usually. But ph is not a good way to determine kh unless you know the amount of co2 in the water.

If the kh is 332ppm, that equates to 18dkh? Thats way too high. It should never be higher than 12dkh. I keep my dkh at 8dkh, seawater is 7dkh.

SammiMitch · Mar 14, 2016

How do I get my PH to raise? With out using a buffer? Bc it's 7.8 by itself.

Feltman · Mar 14, 2016

Api is a notoriously unreliable test kit and with numbers that unbelievable high I'd get a second opinion before dumping chemicals into ur tank. A good second opinion would be to mix up a gallon of fresh saltwater with 0 tds rodi water and see what it reads. Should be somewhat close to the lvls on the box for the salt(although these vary as well).

Sabellafella · Mar 14, 2016

SammiMitch said:
How do I get my PH to raise? With out using a buffer? Bc it's 7.8 by itself.

Aim some powerheads at your waterline, gas exchange will help. Also give it time, the ph will then become stable

jason2459 · Mar 14, 2016

API Alk test kit is fine.

What was your pH at? Using a buffer is not a good long term solution if it truely is low. If your pH stays above 7.8 that would be good.

jason2459 · Mar 14, 2016

Read everything in the stickies above that you can.

Here's a good start for parameters

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/o...-reef-aquarium-by-randy-holmes-farley.173563/

SammiMitch · Mar 14, 2016

Sabellafella said:
Aim some powerheads at your waterline, gas exchange will help. Also give it time, the ph will then become stable

Ahhh. I have a Hob filter on the back with a protein skimmer and when the water is pushed back into the tank it's kinda bubbly and my power head is right there and sucks the bubbles up to make smaller bubbles. Do you think that is enough air exchange?

SammiMitch · Mar 14, 2016

jason2459 said:
API Alk test kit is fine.

What was your pH at? Using a buffer is not a good long term solution if it truely is low. If your pH stays above 7.8 that would be good.

When I first started it was at a solid 8.0. Then about a week later it's been at a constant 7.8 for about 4 days. I added buffer to try and raise the PH which worked lol but now my KH is super high.

jason2459 · Mar 14, 2016

SammiMitch said:
When I first started it was at a solid 8.0. Then about a week later it's been at a constant 7.8 for about 4 days. I added buffer to try and raise the PH which worked lol but now my KH is super high.

How are you testing pH?

7.8 is OK.

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-09/rhf/index.htm

SammiMitch · Mar 14, 2016

jason2459 said:
How are you testing pH?

7.8 is OK.

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-09/rhf/index.htm

With the Api high range PH test. 5 drops into 5mls of water

Sabellafella · Mar 14, 2016

Lol looks fine acually, id give it a few weeks and try to keep your alk around 8-10dkh / drops. Dont dose the buffer, basically anything that says its a ph buffer is acually kalk or some form of alk supplement. Not needed yet

SammiMitch · Mar 14, 2016

Sabellafella said:
Lol looks fine acually, id give it a few weeks and try to keep your alk around 8-10dkh / drops. Dont dose the buffer, basically anything that says its a ph buffer is acually kalk or some form of alk supplement. Not needed yet

Thanks a bunch! Still new and figuring things out. I really appreciate all the help. And I can't be doing to bad...I'm growing allege. And I have polyps of coral growing in a bunch of spots. I found a starfish in there and just discovered hydroids today. Lol

jason2459 · Mar 14, 2016

SammiMitch said:
With the Api high range PH test. 5 drops into 5mls of water

API pH is not the best kit for us. It's much better suited for freshwater. I would highly recommend a probe of some kind that can be calibrated with a 7 and 10 pH solution. Which can be bought too.

Many controllers out there have them. Or my favorite is my Hanna pH, Temp, ORP hand held probe. Have had it for years. Have replaced the pH probe part as they all will need replaced at some point.

jason2459 · Mar 14, 2016

I'd just do a few water changes. That will bring the Alk down towards at least it's level.

Cory · Mar 14, 2016

To raise ph with good alkalinity (which yours is over) open a window in the house.

SammiMitch · Mar 14, 2016

Cory said:
To raise ph with good alkalinity (which yours is over) open a window in the house.

I'm not sure if your serious or pulling my leg lol but sure I'll try that!

Cory · Mar 15, 2016

SammiMitch said:
I'm not sure if your serious or pulling my leg lol but sure I'll try that!

Lol not joking. As we breathe we realease Co2. Co2 gets in tank water and lowers ph. Have the windows open will raise ph because Co2 escapes and normalizes.

SammiMitch · Mar 15, 2016

Cory said:
Lol not joking. As we breathe we realease Co2. Co2 gets in tank water and lowers ph. Have the windows open will raise ph because Co2 escapes and normalizes.

That is very interesting! I have the window open now as I type lol I'm also gnna do a water change tomorrow before work and I'm sure that will help rebalance things also.