How to lower high KH

raleej337 · 04/11/2007, 01:11 PM

Ever since I started this hobby I have been battling with high alkalinity, I always get a 16dKH reading. I've done a frequent water changes, made my calcium high (which is at this moment at 500ppm, way too high!), have installed a skimmer. What else should I do? Is there any formula I should use to win this battle?

Thanks!

David Grigor · 04/11/2007, 01:19 PM

Need to figure out what additive your using the is increasing your ALK. Most salts do not mix near that high. Or your test reading could be suspect.

If you using any kind of PH type buffers this is likely the culprit.

Please list all your additives that you use in your system including your salt brand.

rigleautomotive · 04/11/2007, 01:32 PM

are u using rodi

raleej337 · 04/11/2007, 03:23 PM

I am not using any additives right now but used kent liquid calcium before but have been stopped, using IO salt.

David Grigor · 04/11/2007, 03:40 PM

If your not using any additives, test your freshly mixed IO. I should read about 10dkh.

If you getting a real high reading with freshly mixed IO still then either your test reading is in error or your ro/di unit is suspect.

elegance coral · 04/11/2007, 03:45 PM

Where do you get your fresh water? How is it filtered before mixing it with salt? Have you tested the fresh water? I can only think of two reasons this could happen. High levels in the fresh water or bad test kits.

raleej337 · 04/11/2007, 04:09 PM

It's a RO water. Anyway, I'll test both the fresh water and the mixed water. I think it's either of the two.

Thanks!

carpediem360 · 04/11/2007, 06:12 PM

What test kit are you using???

Billybeau1 · 04/12/2007, 12:14 AM

Ralee, I think your test kit is in error. What brand kit is it?

Freshly mixed IO comes in around 11 to 12 dkh @ 1.0265

Frick-n-Frags · 04/12/2007, 07:23 AM

Yes, I think you need to take a nice sample of water to some other places and double check your values.

usually alk and Ca are more inverse to each other. if one is really high, the other usually drops

also, if your hydrometer is off, you will be mixing your saltwater to the wrong SG which can make Ca ppm etc go all over the map.
here is an article that describes using table salt and water to make calibration standards. everyone should do this if they have not calibrated their SG device.

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-06/rhf/index.php

04/11/2007, 01:11 PM	#1
raleej337 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Fairfield, CA Posts: 151	How to lower high KH Ever since I started this hobby I have been battling with high alkalinity, I always get a 16dKH reading. I've done a frequent water changes, made my calcium high (which is at this moment at 500ppm, way too high!), have installed a skimmer. What else should I do? Is there any formula I should use to win this battle? Thanks!

04/11/2007, 01:19 PM	#2
David Grigor Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: Brooklyn Center, MN USA Posts: 4,951	Need to figure out what additive your using the is increasing your ALK. Most salts do not mix near that high. Or your test reading could be suspect. If you using any kind of PH type buffers this is likely the culprit. Please list all your additives that you use in your system including your salt brand. __________________ Neptune Systems 2016 Marine Aquarium Hobbyist of the Year Current Tank Info: 180g mixed reef show tank

04/11/2007, 01:32 PM	#3
rigleautomotive Premium Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Northeast Pennsylvania Posts: 3,705	are u using rodi __________________ Dan Rigle President, * Reef Conservation Society TOTM December 2010 Coral Magazine Sept/Oct 2012 Current Tank Info: 180 gal SPS dominated display, 3 X 250 watt Radiums , lumenarc III minis , with VHO actinics, ETS downdraft skimmers, closed loops and 2 Tunze 6105 & 7095 controller,DIY calcium reactors DIY custom built sumps,since 1992

04/11/2007, 03:40 PM	#5
David Grigor Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: Brooklyn Center, MN USA Posts: 4,951	If your not using any additives, test your freshly mixed IO. I should read about 10dkh. If you getting a real high reading with freshly mixed IO still then either your test reading is in error or your ro/di unit is suspect. __________________ Neptune Systems 2016 Marine Aquarium Hobbyist of the Year Current Tank Info: 180g mixed reef show tank

04/11/2007, 03:45 PM	#6
elegance coral They call me EC Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: central Florida Posts: 6,208	Where do you get your fresh water? How is it filtered before mixing it with salt? Have you tested the fresh water? I can only think of two reasons this could happen. High levels in the fresh water or bad test kits. __________________ "Most of the failures with marine aquaria are due to lack of knowledge of the biological processes that occur in the aquarium." Martin A. Moe, Jr. "A scientist seeks the truth, wherever that may lead. A believer already knows the truth, and cannot be swayed no matter how compelling the evidence." Current Tank Info: I'm trying to see how many tanks will fit in my house before the wife loses it.

04/11/2007, 03:23 PM	#4
raleej337 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Fairfield, CA Posts: 151	I am not using any additives right now but used kent liquid calcium before but have been stopped, using IO salt.

04/11/2007, 04:09 PM	#7
raleej337 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Fairfield, CA Posts: 151	It's a RO water. Anyway, I'll test both the fresh water and the mixed water. I think it's either of the two. Thanks!

04/11/2007, 06:12 PM	#8
carpediem360 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Whitewater Posts: 522	What test kit are you using??? __________________ ahh nevermind the little drip. It's just the wife talking Current Tank Info: 37 gallon with eheim 2217 and crappy lighting for now

04/12/2007, 12:14 AM	#9
Billybeau1 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Dyer, Indiana Posts: 12,010	Ralee, I think your test kit is in error. What brand kit is it? Freshly mixed IO comes in around 11 to 12 dkh @ 1.0265

04/12/2007, 07:23 AM	#10
Frick-n-Frags Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: north central OH Posts: 10,740	Yes, I think you need to take a nice sample of water to some other places and double check your values. usually alk and Ca are more inverse to each other. if one is really high, the other usually drops also, if your hydrometer is off, you will be mixing your saltwater to the wrong SG which can make Ca ppm etc go all over the map. here is an article that describes using table salt and water to make calibration standards. everyone should do this if they have not calibrated their SG device. http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-06/rhf/index.php __________________ Only Dead fish swim with the current. Current Tank Info: 2 50 gal tanks, sump, still BB