Anyone know about potassium levels?

Woja222 · 12/16/2011, 06:17 PM

Ok, so it seems like my potassium level is rising without dosing...Cant figure out why though... Im using red sea pro test kits. Before I got the kits I was dosing small amounts of brightwell aquatics potassion. When I got the test it read about 415ppm K so I stopped dosing. Havent tested in about a week until tonight and read about 445-450ppm K. I currently run an auto top off with kalkwasser, and add about 2 drops per day of MicroBacter7, and about 30 drops of Replenish. I have a 72 gallon bowfront. Any ideas. Iodine is staying in th .09 range too.

Telaverus · 12/16/2011, 07:57 PM

Replenish contains K. Also what are you feeding and how heavy?

Could also be a slight swing in test results, RedSea K test has an accuracy of ±12 ppm. It may be that it just hasn't changed, you could ease up on the Replenish and test for the next four weeks and plot your results. This will tell you if you are trending up.

Additionally, you are reporting 450, which also happens to be the max. Did you check it twice?

Woja222 · 12/16/2011, 09:36 PM

I was wondering if what I dosed had K in it. And I only have a couple small frags of SPS so nothing really uses it. I have mostly LPS and softies.

Felixc395 · 12/16/2011, 09:53 PM

Get a monti cap, preferably red. K test kits are terrible. If your caps look grey, dose pottasium until they regain color, but SLOWLY! Washed out colors can be a result of low pottasium.

Hope this helps!

jubjub47 · 12/17/2011, 11:37 AM

I've found the Red Sea potassium kit to be pretty accurate. Mine has tested identically with a lab test. My iodine test also typically reads .09 too, but I hear thats a pretty hit or miss test anyway.

Woja222 · 12/17/2011, 12:07 PM

What's a good indication of iodine levels to go by then? Blood shrimp molts monthly so I assume all is well

Felixc395 · 12/17/2011, 02:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Woja222

What's a good indication of iodine levels to go by then? Blood shrimp molts monthly so I assume all is well

Hard to say... I'd just dose in moderation

Quote:

Originally Posted by jubjub47

I've found the Red Sea potassium kit to be pretty accurate. Mine has tested identically with a lab test. My iodine test also typically reads .09 too, but I hear thats a pretty hit or miss test anyway.

Both are inaccurate, hit or miss like you said

Palting · 12/17/2011, 03:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Woja222

What's a good indication of iodine levels to go by then? Blood shrimp molts monthly so I assume all is well

Quote:

Originally Posted by Felixc395

Hard to say... I'd just dose in moderation

Both are inaccurate, hit or miss like you said

As I understand it, iodine is one of the most commonly overdosed elements, and is usually not needed. Your invertebrates molting is a sign of adequate iodine.

Here's a link I find helpfull: http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2007-04/rhf/index.php

12/16/2011, 06:17 PM	#1
Woja222 Moved On Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 532	Anyone know about potassium levels? Ok, so it seems like my potassium level is rising without dosing...Cant figure out why though... Im using red sea pro test kits. Before I got the kits I was dosing small amounts of brightwell aquatics potassion. When I got the test it read about 415ppm K so I stopped dosing. Havent tested in about a week until tonight and read about 445-450ppm K. I currently run an auto top off with kalkwasser, and add about 2 drops per day of MicroBacter7, and about 30 drops of Replenish. I have a 72 gallon bowfront. Any ideas. Iodine is staying in th .09 range too.

12/16/2011, 07:57 PM	#2
Telaverus Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Canada Posts: 212	Replenish contains K. Also what are you feeding and how heavy? Could also be a slight swing in test results, RedSea K test has an accuracy of ±12 ppm. It may be that it just hasn't changed, you could ease up on the Replenish and test for the next four weeks and plot your results. This will tell you if you are trending up. Additionally, you are reporting 450, which also happens to be the max. Did you check it twice? __________________ Stu Retired 500g system... Researching and building a nice and relaxing 65g display

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Does the potassium in 458 ppm can cause these corals to be brownwish?	luisb	SPS Keepers	8	09/06/2011 05:11 PM
Potassium Iodate	Vannpytt	The Reef Chemistry Forum	1	05/10/2011 01:05 PM
Potassium Chloride Math	Bryan	The Reef Chemistry Forum	2	11/01/2009 03:43 AM
Getting my Potassium Levels up	Jason McK	The Reef Chemistry Forum	10	05/15/2007 01:33 PM

12/16/2011, 09:36 PM	#3
Woja222 Moved On Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 532	I was wondering if what I dosed had K in it. And I only have a couple small frags of SPS so nothing really uses it. I have mostly LPS and softies.

12/16/2011, 09:53 PM	#4
Felixc395 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 1,612	Get a monti cap, preferably red. K test kits are terrible. If your caps look grey, dose pottasium until they regain color, but SLOWLY! Washed out colors can be a result of low pottasium. Hope this helps!

12/17/2011, 11:37 AM	#5
jubjub47 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 76	I've found the Red Sea potassium kit to be pretty accurate. Mine has tested identically with a lab test. My iodine test also typically reads .09 too, but I hear thats a pretty hit or miss test anyway.

12/17/2011, 12:07 PM	#6
Woja222 Moved On Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 532	What's a good indication of iodine levels to go by then? Blood shrimp molts monthly so I assume all is well