Alkanlity

moondoggy4 · 02/13/2011, 06:44 PM

I measured my alkalinity last month prior to putting my GFO reactor back on line. The reading was 7.7 KH
I tested it today and if was off the charts in the basement I used the Salifert test kit and I stopped at 7 times filling the syringe. I bought the two part dry system for BRS and just filled the containers. I know that I am doing several things wrong so I would appreciated and help that I can get.

coralfish · 02/13/2011, 06:47 PM

Sounds like you did the test wrong or the test kit is bad/contaminated. I believe (feel free to correct me) that GFO will lower your ALK reading, not raise it.

As for the several things that you are doing wrong, STOP IT!

How are you adding the BRS ALK and what recipe are you using?

coralfish · 02/13/2011, 06:48 PM

What are you Mg & Ca readings?

moondoggy4 · 02/13/2011, 07:20 PM

Mag reads per Elos test kit 1250

coralfish · 02/13/2011, 07:26 PM

and Ca?

moondoggy4 · 02/13/2011, 07:44 PM

Looks like I will have to buy some test kits

moondoggy4 · 02/13/2011, 07:50 PM

Looks like I will have to buy some test kits

moondoggy4 · 02/13/2011, 08:13 PM

I bought the kit from BRS it has the dry chemicals High Purity Calcium Chloride, High Purity Soda Ash and High Purity Magnesium Sulfate. I am putting the chemicals in the containers this week. PS any recommendation for a calcium test kit.

coralfish · 02/13/2011, 09:02 PM

I use Salifert. I just don't see how you could get a test that high on ALK, unless something is either wrong with your testing procedure or the kit itself.

coralfish · 02/13/2011, 09:05 PM

I use BRS products as well, but only after testing. I also use the calculator on their site as my guide to adding the needed amount of solution. Also, make sure that you are mixing per the instructions...they are different for each type of recipe and for users that utilize Ca reactors or Kalk reactors.

moondoggy4 · 02/13/2011, 11:04 PM

I did follow their instructions for making the batches. I have not dosed yet still waiting on doing the test. I think I know what I did wrong I used the Alkalinity Check Solution not the KH bottle (stupid brain). This part of doing some things wrong not testing or inconsistent testing.

moondoggy4 · 02/13/2011, 11:13 PM

I did the test again still not good used almost the whole syringe went all the way down to less than .1. Thanks for hanging in there and for all the help.

bertoni · 02/13/2011, 11:28 PM

Less than 0.1 is believable. Several syringes isn't. What's the number that the kit gives?

Have any pH buffers been dosed? They all are alkalinity supplements.

moondoggy4 · 02/14/2011, 01:07 AM

The sticker on the box stated 04 2013. Salifert
I put Reef Plus Kalkwasser in the top off container.

My KH was about 7.7 prior to running a GFO a month ago.
My salinity was way off my Refractor was not calibrated so I was 1.020 now it is 1.025 it took 3 weeks to raise it.

bertoni · 02/14/2011, 01:41 AM

I'm not sure what's going on, but the kit might be correct. The higher alkalinity could be due to the increased SG. I'd get a second opinion on the kit, and work from there.

coralfish · 02/14/2011, 08:12 AM

Yes, .1 left in the syringe is more better...I don't have my kit, but I think that's around 13 dkH or so...which is managable. do a good size water change to lower it, and don't add any more buffers until you know what your tank is consuming. Also, check your Ca it needs to be in the 400's.

I don't know what's in your tank that requires ALK additions but if you don't have corals that consume Ca and ALK, why are you adding? So what type of corals do you have and how many?

Also again for the stupid things..STOP IT!

moondoggy4 · 02/15/2011, 10:31 PM

Sorry for the misunderstanding I went to my LFS and he had a brand new Hanna Clicker Alkalinity tester and it read 0.366 which jives with my read of 0.3.

Bubbaboy · 02/15/2011, 10:33 PM

I had the same problem!!! I can't figure out how to use the same test from salifert. I'll follow to see solution

moondoggy4 · 02/16/2011, 08:31 AM

Back in January my read was 7.7 I added 1 pound of GFO since then.

bertoni · 02/16/2011, 03:59 PM

0.3 dKH is too low to be particularly believable. I'm not sure what the problem is.

moondoggy4 · 02/16/2011, 08:05 PM

I will go to another store to get a second opinion, and I will test again tonight.

moondoggy4 · 02/16/2011, 08:23 PM

Just double checked it twice and the read left on the syringe was 3.1 or KH value 10.9 on a Salifert test. Thanks again

bertoni · 02/17/2011, 03:13 PM

10.9 dKH is fine. Getting a second opinion is a good idea, too.

02/13/2011, 06:44 PM	#1
moondoggy4 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: menifee So cal Posts: 11,042	Alkanlity I measured my alkalinity last month prior to putting my GFO reactor back on line. The reading was 7.7 KH I tested it today and if was off the charts in the basement I used the Salifert test kit and I stopped at 7 times filling the syringe. I bought the two part dry system for BRS and just filled the containers. I know that I am doing several things wrong so I would appreciated and help that I can get.

02/13/2011, 06:47 PM	#2
coralfish Premium Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Hardmoney, KY Posts: 750	Sounds like you did the test wrong or the test kit is bad/contaminated. I believe (feel free to correct me) that GFO will lower your ALK reading, not raise it. As for the several things that you are doing wrong, STOP IT! How are you adding the BRS ALK and what recipe are you using? __________________ One leg missing and both hands free. Current Tank Info: 220 Reef

02/13/2011, 06:48 PM	#3
coralfish Premium Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Hardmoney, KY Posts: 750	What are you Mg & Ca readings? __________________ One leg missing and both hands free. Current Tank Info: 220 Reef

02/13/2011, 07:26 PM	#5
coralfish Premium Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Hardmoney, KY Posts: 750	and Ca? __________________ One leg missing and both hands free. Current Tank Info: 220 Reef

02/13/2011, 09:02 PM	#9
coralfish Premium Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Hardmoney, KY Posts: 750	I use Salifert. I just don't see how you could get a test that high on ALK, unless something is either wrong with your testing procedure or the kit itself. __________________ One leg missing and both hands free. Current Tank Info: 220 Reef

02/13/2011, 07:20 PM	#4
moondoggy4 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: menifee So cal Posts: 11,042	Mag reads per Elos test kit 1250

02/13/2011, 07:44 PM	#6
moondoggy4 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: menifee So cal Posts: 11,042	Looks like I will have to buy some test kits

02/13/2011, 07:50 PM	#7
moondoggy4 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: menifee So cal Posts: 11,042	Looks like I will have to buy some test kits

02/13/2011, 08:13 PM	#8
moondoggy4 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: menifee So cal Posts: 11,042	I bought the kit from BRS it has the dry chemicals High Purity Calcium Chloride, High Purity Soda Ash and High Purity Magnesium Sulfate. I am putting the chemicals in the containers this week. PS any recommendation for a calcium test kit.

02/13/2011, 09:05 PM	#10
coralfish Premium Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Hardmoney, KY Posts: 750	I use BRS products as well, but only after testing. I also use the calculator on their site as my guide to adding the needed amount of solution. Also, make sure that you are mixing per the instructions...they are different for each type of recipe and for users that utilize Ca reactors or Kalk reactors. __________________ One leg missing and both hands free. Current Tank Info: 220 Reef

02/13/2011, 11:04 PM	#11
moondoggy4 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: menifee So cal Posts: 11,042	I did follow their instructions for making the batches. I have not dosed yet still waiting on doing the test. I think I know what I did wrong I used the Alkalinity Check Solution not the KH bottle (stupid brain). This part of doing some things wrong not testing or inconsistent testing.

02/13/2011, 11:13 PM	#12
moondoggy4 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: menifee So cal Posts: 11,042	I did the test again still not good used almost the whole syringe went all the way down to less than .1. Thanks for hanging in there and for all the help.

02/13/2011, 11:28 PM	#13
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	Less than 0.1 is believable. Several syringes isn't. What's the number that the kit gives? Have any pH buffers been dosed? They all are alkalinity supplements. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

02/14/2011, 01:07 AM	#14
moondoggy4 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: menifee So cal Posts: 11,042	The sticker on the box stated 04 2013. Salifert I put Reef Plus Kalkwasser in the top off container. My KH was about 7.7 prior to running a GFO a month ago. My salinity was way off my Refractor was not calibrated so I was 1.020 now it is 1.025 it took 3 weeks to raise it.

02/14/2011, 01:41 AM	#15
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	I'm not sure what's going on, but the kit might be correct. The higher alkalinity could be due to the increased SG. I'd get a second opinion on the kit, and work from there. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

02/14/2011, 08:12 AM	#16
coralfish Premium Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Hardmoney, KY Posts: 750	Yes, .1 left in the syringe is more better...I don't have my kit, but I think that's around 13 dkH or so...which is managable. do a good size water change to lower it, and don't add any more buffers until you know what your tank is consuming. Also, check your Ca it needs to be in the 400's. I don't know what's in your tank that requires ALK additions but if you don't have corals that consume Ca and ALK, why are you adding? So what type of corals do you have and how many? Also again for the stupid things..STOP IT! __________________ One leg missing and both hands free. Current Tank Info: 220 Reef

02/15/2011, 10:31 PM	#17
moondoggy4 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: menifee So cal Posts: 11,042	Sorry for the misunderstanding I went to my LFS and he had a brand new Hanna Clicker Alkalinity tester and it read 0.366 which jives with my read of 0.3.

02/15/2011, 10:33 PM	#18
Bubbaboy Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: SoCal-Southbay Posts: 94	I had the same problem!!! I can't figure out how to use the same test from salifert. I'll follow to see solution

02/16/2011, 08:31 AM	#19
moondoggy4 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: menifee So cal Posts: 11,042	Back in January my read was 7.7 I added 1 pound of GFO since then.

02/16/2011, 03:59 PM	#20
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	0.3 dKH is too low to be particularly believable. I'm not sure what the problem is. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

02/16/2011, 08:05 PM	#21
moondoggy4 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: menifee So cal Posts: 11,042	I will go to another store to get a second opinion, and I will test again tonight.

02/16/2011, 08:23 PM	#22
moondoggy4 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: menifee So cal Posts: 11,042	Just double checked it twice and the read left on the syringe was 3.1 or KH value 10.9 on a Salifert test. Thanks again

02/17/2011, 03:13 PM	#23
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	10.9 dKH is fine. Getting a second opinion is a good idea, too. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni