High KH

[seantadez]

Hi, not sure if there is anything in the forum about high KH but i can't find anything, so there is my question i have a problem with high KH is about 19 so what can i do to lower it and how bad is it? my calcium oreads 420, ph 8.2... any ideas?

 

thanks

[Scott_LM]

I am no chemist, but it seems unlikely it is that high.  How old is the test kit you are using?  

[seantadez]

I just got it from another member. Not sure about that. Could it be that is a bad reading?
I also did a test of my just mixed RO water 1.025 and it reads 10

Edited December 16, 2013 by seantadez

[Origami]

Test a second time to check for consistency. If you're still getting an unusually high kH reading, then your best bet to bring this down is going to be a large water change followed by natural consumption to help bring the levels down. Since your test kit read 10 on freshly mixed salt water, I'm assuming that it's not that far off from being good. You can try cross-checking with another alk kit. Even an inexpensive one like API will be valuable here.

 

Then, ask yourself why the alkalinity is so high. Have you been dosing an alkalinity supplement like baking soda or some other product?

[seantadez]

I'm doing two parts (actually 3 parts with the magnesium) B-ionic

 

 

SEANTADEZ

[Neto]

High Alk is one of the most dangerous things for corals. Stop dosing, you dont need it.... My advice would be to get a salt that is low in ALK and start doing small daily water changes twice a day.

[seantadez]

High Alk is one of the most dangerous things for corals. Stop dosing, you dont need it.... My advice would be to get a salt that is low in ALK and start doing small daily water changes twice a day.

Any suggestions about low alk salt?

 

 

SEANTADEZ

[Neto]

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1714505

[Neto]

Any suggestions about low alk salt?

 

 

SEANTADEZ

see link above

Edited December 16, 2013 by Neto

[seantadez]

I probably don't understand this very well but isn't alk measure with the PH kit? Cause it reads 8.2 it's the KH what reads 19 drops and I understand should be between 7-10 everything else seems to be fine and even the corals looks fine and growing

 

 

SEANTADEZ

[Neto]

Send me a picture of your test kit

[Cliff Puckstable]

Nice find.

[seantadez]

I'm using Instant Ocean

400

11

1350

 

 

 

 

SEANTADEZ

[seantadez]

I'm using API test kit

 

 

SEANTADEZ

[Neto]

I'm using Instant Ocean

400

11

1350

 

 

 

 

SEANTADEZ

 

IO is high on alk, usually 12 is the limit in reef's and IMO thats pushing it.... Get just one cheap 50lb bag of one of those salts posted on the link... Red Sea would be my choice since it is available locally.

[Neto]

I'm using API test kit

 

 

SEANTADEZ

 

Are you measuring ALK with this:

 

[seantadez]

Great thanks I will do that

 

 

SEANTADEZ

[seantadez]

Yup that exactly the one I have

 

 

SEANTADEZ

[Neto]

Yup that exactly the one I have

 

 

SEANTADEZ

Then yes, 19 drops using that dropper and it turned from blue to yellow then your alk is very very high...

[seantadez]

Yes that's why I'm concern

 

 

SEANTADEZ

[Neto]

Great thanks I will do that

 

 

SEANTADEZ

 

If you are going to get it make sure its not the RED SEA CORAL PRO, just buy the regular RED SEA salt

[seantadez]

So my next question will be: if my fresh mix water reads 10 how it goes that high? 19. What I'm doing to reach that level?

 

 

SEANTADEZ

[seantadez]

If you are going to get it make sure its not the RED SEA CORAL PRO, just buy the regular RED SEA salt

I just noticed that on the link

 

 

SEANTADEZ

[Jason Rhoads]

Test a second time to check for consistency. If you're still getting an unusually high kH reading, then your best bet to bring this down is going to be a large water change followed by natural consumption to help bring the levels down. Since your test kit read 10 on freshly mixed salt water, I'm assuming that it's not that far off from being good. You can try cross-checking with another alk kit. Even an inexpensive one like API will be valuable here.

 

Then, ask yourself why the alkalinity is so high. Have you been dosing an alkalinity supplement like baking soda or some other product?

 

I think this is great advice. I would not try to drive it down using any type of chemical "buffer". 

[seantadez]

I think this is great advice. I would not try to drive it down using any type of chemical "buffer".

Thanks I won't add anything else until everything is stable

 

 

SEANTADEZ