help with ALKALINITY reading

[dahay78]

i am not sure if i am performing the test correct, ia m trying to find out my DKH. i have the ocean master aquarium test kit. i performed the alkakinity test and i am not sure on how its suppose to read, i placed 9 drops in the vial with my tank water and it turned yellow green. now my problem is, it tells me, to divide the number of drops by 2 to obtain the milliequivalents per liter (mEq/l) of alkalinity.

if i performed the test correct and my math is correct then my DKH is at 12.60 not sure if this is correct good bad etc.. please help

thanks,
dee

[steve24az]

You're likely in search of the dKH value which "should" be in the range of 8-12 depending on how you dose. Its a matter of adding 5ml to the vial, then 6? I believe of Solution #1, then adding #2 drop by drop until it turns yellow, the number of drops it takes to get there is your dKH. The Salifert test is much more reliable and accurate however.

[dahay78]

hey Steve thanks a lot! so since i dropped 9 drops in the test tube, would that mean that my dkh is 9? thanks

[dahay78]

and yes i am trying to find the dkh for my tank before i place any corals in it

[MarcWeaver]

It appears that, after looking at the directions for your kit, you did the math correctly and your alk is 12.6dKH. I think steve24az may have thought you had an API test kit. API is the kit where each drop equals 1dKH.

If you don't feel like doing the math, an API kit is only around 7 or 8 dollars and they are sold everywhere, including petsmart and petco and will get you close enough. It's never a bad idea to double-check your readings from time to time with another kit anyway.

As for 12.6dKH, it's a little on the high side of where you want to be. You should shoot for 9-10 to start with because that gives you margin for error to the high or low side without affecting anything that much.

If you would like to lower your alk, you can buy a small amount of instant ocean salt and do a water change, which should drop your alk, because it is lower in alk than your tank is now.

[dahay78]

thanks MarcWeaver!
so should i do a partial water change or full?

thanks
dave

[oscarslr]

alk is a balance with calcium, what is your reading for that? could you also provide your mag reading, this will help in directing what you need to do to your water

[MarcWeaver]

Yes, what are your magnesium and calcium levels? I would advise against a full water change - it will shock your system. I don't think 12.6dKH will be a problem and it will eventually lower itself naturally. Now that I think further about it, it's probably best just to leave it alone. Has your tank cycled already?

[brettinteriors]

Is this a newer setup? Are you dosing anything? I agree, just let it fall naturally. Most salts mix up at higher Dkh to compensate for most tanks lower Dkh levels. Regular io has a lower Dkh but I think you should just wait a while. Mature reef aquariums eat Alk. I have to add a tsp of dry carbonate everyday.

[MarcWeaver]

Sorry guys, just realized this is an Arizona forum, hope you don't mind a Marylander trying to help someone out...

[dahay78]

you know i want to thank each and everyone of you who reached out to offer me help! i am amazed i did not know that by joining reefcentral that i would find so much help and nice people. this is what has happened with the tank. one is it has DKH has leveled off! woohoo. i am still fairly new to salt water. it has been cycling now for over 30 days all the other test come out correct according to the ocean master kit.

now my next step is to purchase some corals, i want to start off with them first and then work my way up to fish. and suggestion on corals? i have a t5 ho light for my tank, that my friend let me have.

once again i thank you all of you guys from MAryland to tucson!

dave

[dahay78]

Originally Posted by oscarslr

alk is a balance with calcium, what is your reading for that? could you also provide your mag reading, this will help in directing what you need to do to your water

thanks!

[brettinteriors]

Green star polyp, leathers, mushrooms, frogspawn, and most soft polyps are pretty good to start. They can live in both clean and dirtier water. Your tank will go through fazes as it age and you add Bio load. Also, in my experience at least a fish that will eat algea(tang,lawn mower blenny, ect.),and clean up crew is a must to keep algea at bay. Two biggest bullets to watch for imho is too much dkh fluctuation and phosphates.

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