I have high alkalinity.

ahmed_iAM · 10/21/2013, 12:04 PM

My alkalinity has been high for the past two months though I do my weekly 15 gallon water change water for the 120. The dKH is about 12-12.5. Have not been adding buffer but I do add a Mg supplement weekly. Keep LPS and zoas mostly. LPS shows good growth. Sun coral and acans show best growth. My Green BTA is doing fine but I can't tell if it's growing or not. All other parameters are good. Calcium 420ppm, pH 8.1, nitrite/ammonia 0ppm, nitrate 0-10 depending on time of week and marine snow and cyclopes feedings. Phosphate 0. Tested Mg two weeks ago its Norman. I think it was 1200ppm. Can I introduce some plating montis and a green slimer or are they sensitive to high alkalinity? Thanks.

ahmed_iAM · 10/21/2013, 12:13 PM

Have two D120s 120 LEDs, good current two 1200 gph powerheads on a control pump.

downbeach · 10/21/2013, 12:32 PM

Are you adding any pH buffers? If so, that will raise your alk. What is your alk reading in your make up water? What are you using to measure your Alk?

Mr tap water · 10/21/2013, 12:40 PM

Hi there
You're mag is a bit on the low side you should be aiming for around 1350 or thereabouts which will help you balance your calcium and K H

ahmed_iAM · 10/21/2013, 01:25 PM

I will test for alkalinity again when I test my water this Friday. I use the API KH test it and Reef Crystals by Instan Ocean. Perhaps I will add more Mg and retest the dKH hopefully that'll be the best fix. Thank you all!

IslandCrow · 10/21/2013, 04:37 PM

If you're not adding any buffers, I wouldn't worry about it. You may just have a salt mix that is high in alkalinity. . .or there's a testing error with your kit. As long as you PH is in check, you should be fine.

Daimyo68 · 10/21/2013, 10:52 PM

Do a test at home, and also take a sample to your LFS. Can almost say for sure the API kit is testing out high.

10/21/2013, 12:04 PM	#1
ahmed_iAM Registered Member Join Date: May 2013 Posts: 419	I have high alkalinity. My alkalinity has been high for the past two months though I do my weekly 15 gallon water change water for the 120. The dKH is about 12-12.5. Have not been adding buffer but I do add a Mg supplement weekly. Keep LPS and zoas mostly. LPS shows good growth. Sun coral and acans show best growth. My Green BTA is doing fine but I can't tell if it's growing or not. All other parameters are good. Calcium 420ppm, pH 8.1, nitrite/ammonia 0ppm, nitrate 0-10 depending on time of week and marine snow and cyclopes feedings. Phosphate 0. Tested Mg two weeks ago its Norman. I think it was 1200ppm. Can I introduce some plating montis and a green slimer or are they sensitive to high alkalinity? Thanks.

10/21/2013, 04:37 PM	#6
IslandCrow Reef Monkey Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Rockledge, Fl Posts: 5,759	If you're not adding any buffers, I wouldn't worry about it. You may just have a salt mix that is high in alkalinity. . .or there's a testing error with your kit. As long as you PH is in check, you should be fine. __________________ All opinions in the above message should be taken with 35 ppt salt. -Mike C. Current Tank Info: I have a reef screen saver on my phone, does that count?

10/21/2013, 10:52 PM	#7
Daimyo68 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: North Palm Beach, FL Posts: 2,270	Do a test at home, and also take a sample to your LFS. Can almost say for sure the API kit is testing out high. __________________ 120g, 50g Sump, SRO XP2000i, MP40W x2, DIY Hybrid LED/T5 Fixture, Apex PBMAS VP 2010-11 PBMAS 2017 President

10/21/2013, 12:13 PM	#2
ahmed_iAM Registered Member Join Date: May 2013 Posts: 419	Have two D120s 120 LEDs, good current two 1200 gph powerheads on a control pump.

10/21/2013, 12:32 PM	#3
downbeach Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Smyrna, Delaware Posts: 3,767	Are you adding any pH buffers? If so, that will raise your alk. What is your alk reading in your make up water? What are you using to measure your Alk?

10/21/2013, 12:40 PM	#4
Mr tap water Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Posts: 248	Hi there You're mag is a bit on the low side you should be aiming for around 1350 or thereabouts which will help you balance your calcium and K H

10/21/2013, 01:25 PM	#5
ahmed_iAM Registered Member Join Date: May 2013 Posts: 419	I will test for alkalinity again when I test my water this Friday. I use the API KH test it and Reef Crystals by Instan Ocean. Perhaps I will add more Mg and retest the dKH hopefully that'll be the best fix. Thank you all!