Stupid Alk test kit - Reef-Geeks

primo21 · Newbie-Geek

So I had a crappy API Alk test kit that has been giving me false readings for a couple weeks. Appearently my level was fine ~10 DKH but the kit was reading low consistantly. I have been slowly raising it by adding 1-2 tsp of baking soda per day to get it up from the test results of 4. I then did a water change thinking consuption was outperforming my attemp to raise it. Fed up with my efforts I bought a new seachem test and now my DKH is 20. Two questions, how to get it down and how much damage is this high a reading doing. Tank is not heavily stocked, I have a frags of candy cane, favia, pocilipora, green buttons, yellow polyps, aog zoa's and xenia. I have high alk salt (red sea pro), so a wc wont drop it too much. Please help.
Thanks.

rgrking · Spawning

hmmm I'll try to do some research and see what I can come up with.

primo21 · Newbie-Geek

Are any of my stock in danger? Hate to lose anything, they are all pretty new additions. The yellows dont seem to be fully open.

rgrking · Spawning

From what I've found so far you should be ok. Just keep an eye on your PH and CA levels. Water changes are really the only way to lower it. Don't use any additives.

Are your levels staying pretty constant? Also, are you using Tap water or RO water for mixing?

primo21 · Newbie-Geek

RODI for changes. Any solutions beside water changes? I have high alk salt, brand new tub. Hoping not to have to buy a new tub that wont be used after this, hopefully.

rgrking · Spawning

even being a high alk salt you should still see lower levels with water changes. I've never seen a dkh of 20. I would think it would be hard to get it that high.

Here's a link to fixing alk problems. It think number 3 is what you're having. It says to add a calcium additive to help lower the alk, without water changes.

Chemistry And The Aquarium: Solving Calcium And Alkalinity Problems — Advanced Aquarist's Online Magazine

it's hard to hurt anything with high calcium, so adding it should be ok.

primo21 · Newbie-Geek

its actually #1. My calcium is 450. guess i will wait for it to drop on its own.

estanoche · I <3 the LEFT COAST!

honestly, I wouldn't worry about it -

Just watch your PH like glen suggested, but it will go back down with water changes over time!! Your stock list isnt full of those super picky SPS corals, so ur safe!! hehe

Pat B · Geektacular

If you are super worried about it you can all about 8 oz of seltzer water with no additives to a gallon of top off water. That will bring it down some, but then you have to watch your pH.
I would leave it alone, and just do regular water changes. That plus natural consumption will bring the number down slowly and safely.

spinycheek · Insert Custom Title Here

The seltzer water would only raise it more because it would dissolve calcium carbonate and convert it to bicarbonate (baking soda). You could precipitate it out with sodium carbonate (soda ash), but that would just make a snowstorm in the tank. Water changes are the best way unfortunately.

chris&barb · Lost

No real way to lower Alk besides water changes or precipitating it out. I would let it drop on its own.

[1 (permalink)] Posted by primo21 10-17-2011, 09:08 PM	Newbie-Geek
Stupid Alk test kit So I had a crappy API Alk test kit that has been giving me false readings for a couple weeks. Appearently my level was fine ~10 DKH but the kit was reading low consistantly. I have been slowly raising it by adding 1-2 tsp of baking soda per day to get it up from the test results of 4. I then did a water change thinking consuption was outperforming my attemp to raise it. Fed up with my efforts I bought a new seachem test and now my DKH is 20. Two questions, how to get it down and how much damage is this high a reading doing. Tank is not heavily stocked, I have a frags of candy cane, favia, pocilipora, green buttons, yellow polyps, aog zoa's and xenia. I have high alk salt (red sea pro), so a wc wont drop it too much. Please help. Thanks.	Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Levittown, PA Posts: 30 Gameroom cash: $755 Rep Power: 2
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[2 (permalink)] Posted by rgrking 10-17-2011, 09:16 PM	Spawning
hmmm I'll try to do some research and see what I can come up with. __________________ RLTW 180 Gallon Mixed Reef Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?" And I said, "Here am I. Send me!" Isaiah 6:8 Friend me up on Facebook Glen King	Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Sullivan, Missouri, USA Posts: 10,000 Gameroom cash: $1656070 Rep Power: 164
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[3 (permalink)] Posted by primo21 10-17-2011, 09:18 PM	Newbie-Geek
Are any of my stock in danger? Hate to lose anything, they are all pretty new additions. The yellows dont seem to be fully open.	Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Levittown, PA Posts: 30 Gameroom cash: $755 Rep Power: 2
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[4 (permalink)] Posted by rgrking 10-17-2011, 09:21 PM	Spawning
From what I've found so far you should be ok. Just keep an eye on your PH and CA levels. Water changes are really the only way to lower it. Don't use any additives. Are your levels staying pretty constant? Also, are you using Tap water or RO water for mixing? __________________ RLTW 180 Gallon Mixed Reef Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?" And I said, "Here am I. Send me!" Isaiah 6:8 Friend me up on Facebook Glen King	Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Sullivan, Missouri, USA Posts: 10,000 Gameroom cash: $1656070 Rep Power: 164
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[5 (permalink)] Posted by primo21 10-17-2011, 09:31 PM	Newbie-Geek
RODI for changes. Any solutions beside water changes? I have high alk salt, brand new tub. Hoping not to have to buy a new tub that wont be used after this, hopefully.	Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Levittown, PA Posts: 30 Gameroom cash: $755 Rep Power: 2
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[6 (permalink)] Posted by rgrking 10-17-2011, 09:38 PM	Spawning
even being a high alk salt you should still see lower levels with water changes. I've never seen a dkh of 20. I would think it would be hard to get it that high. Here's a link to fixing alk problems. It think number 3 is what you're having. It says to add a calcium additive to help lower the alk, without water changes. Chemistry And The Aquarium: Solving Calcium And Alkalinity Problems — Advanced Aquarist's Online Magazine it's hard to hurt anything with high calcium, so adding it should be ok. __________________ RLTW 180 Gallon Mixed Reef Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?" And I said, "Here am I. Send me!" Isaiah 6:8 Friend me up on Facebook Glen King	Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Sullivan, Missouri, USA Posts: 10,000 Gameroom cash: $1656070 Rep Power: 164
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[7 (permalink)] Posted by primo21 10-17-2011, 10:33 PM	Newbie-Geek
its actually #1. My calcium is 450. guess i will wait for it to drop on its own.	Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Levittown, PA Posts: 30 Gameroom cash: $755 Rep Power: 2
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[8 (permalink)] Posted by estanoche 10-17-2011, 10:34 PM	I <3 the LEFT COAST!
honestly, I wouldn't worry about it - Just watch your PH like glen suggested, but it will go back down with water changes over time!! Your stock list isnt full of those super picky SPS corals, so ur safe!! hehe __________________ SAY NO TO FISH STICKS!! Put screened and vented lids on your tanks! My 80 Gal. Reef Tank Build: So this is where all my money goes My 25 Gal. QT/Angler Cube: A place for my money to QT/grow out Member/VP of Spokane Coeur d Alene Reef Society Friend me up on FB too!	Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Spokane, WA Posts: 3,799 Gameroom cash: $1235065 Rep Power: 116
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[9 (permalink)] Posted by Pat B 10-18-2011, 06:34 AM	Geektacular
If you are super worried about it you can all about 8 oz of seltzer water with no additives to a gallon of top off water. That will bring it down some, but then you have to watch your pH. I would leave it alone, and just do regular water changes. That plus natural consumption will bring the number down slowly and safely. __________________ "But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” Joshua 24:15b "HIS word is in my heart like a fire, a fire shut up in my bones. I am weary of holding it in; indeed, I cannot." Jeremiah 20:9b *Click on the ticker for the build thread.*	Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Camden, De Posts: 2,559 Gameroom cash: $1239415 Rep Power: 65
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[10 (permalink)] Posted by spinycheek 10-18-2011, 12:53 PM	Insert Custom Title Here
The seltzer water would only raise it more because it would dissolve calcium carbonate and convert it to bicarbonate (baking soda). You could precipitate it out with sodium carbonate (soda ash), but that would just make a snowstorm in the tank. Water changes are the best way unfortunately. __________________ All this knowledge is giving me a raging brainer!	Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Lakewood, CO Posts: 4,277 Gameroom cash: $1307222 Rep Power: 82
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[11 (permalink)] Posted by chris&barb 10-19-2011, 01:28 PM	Lost
No real way to lower Alk besides water changes or precipitating it out. I would let it drop on its own.	Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: De Posts: 12,272 Gameroom cash: $3501040 Rep Power: 100
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