PH and KH levels are really high - PLEASE HELP

FragMan07 · 09/18/2007, 04:20 PM

I just did a water test and the PH and KH are off the charts. The Nitrates and Nitrates are perfect.

Please help get my tank back to normal.

I just removed a rock that I'm pretty sure was the cause of the levels going off the charts......so now the cause is gone, how do I fix the damage????

bertoni · 09/18/2007, 04:22 PM

Well, the problem might be the test kits. Have any pH buffers been added? They are just high-pH alkalinity supplements, so they often cause this problem. Water changes will help if any animals are showing signs of trouble. Otherwise, waiting usually fixes this problem.

How is alkalinity being measured?

FragMan07 · 09/18/2007, 04:24 PM

I add Ph and Alk to my tank on a bi weekly rotating schedule. I add calcium 4 times a week

I am using test strips called a 5 in 1 aquarium test strips for fresh and saltwater.

I have no specific test for the Alk. But when I dip the strips, the colors turn VERY bold, and that reads as bad.

marduc · 09/18/2007, 04:26 PM

Take the water to LFS and have them test it for a second opinion prior to taking drastic action.

bertoni · 09/18/2007, 04:29 PM

I agree on getting a second opinion. Also, I would invest in a good alkalinity and pH kits, like Salifert, SeaTest, or API.

A 2-part like B-Ionic or similar products is a safer method of dosing calcium and alkalinity.

seapug · 09/18/2007, 04:41 PM

What are the levels you got? "Off the charts" is kinda relative and like others mentioned, those test strips are about the least reliable method out there.

reeftanker04 · 09/19/2007, 01:47 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by FragMan07
I add Ph and Alk to my tank on a bi weekly rotating schedule. I add calcium 4 times a week

I am using test strips called a 5 in 1 aquarium test strips for fresh and saltwater.

I have no specific test for the Alk. But when I dip the strips, the colors turn VERY bold, and that reads as bad.

Sounds like you need to get some Salifert Tests. I don't recommend using the 5 in 1 tests unless it's an emergency. Salifert are the best tests IMO.

FishTruck · 09/19/2007, 07:43 PM

Agree anecdotally with salifert. Will need to know your calcium levels to make sense of the alk and pH. It should be very low, or things are not adding up.

Aquarist007 · 09/19/2007, 08:16 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by FragMan07
I add Ph and Alk to my tank on a bi weekly rotating schedule. I add calcium 4 times a week

I am using test strips called a 5 in 1 aquarium test strips for fresh and saltwater.

I have no specific test for the Alk. But when I dip the strips, the colors turn VERY bold, and that reads as bad.

what are you adding to your tank for pH and alk?

Dr Begalke · 09/20/2007, 09:48 AM

keep an eye on those two angels, i had a flame and coral in a 120... they did fine for a few months, even swam together.. then all of a sudden the flame started attacking the coral relentlessly... i had to remove the coral.

WaterKeeper · 09/20/2007, 10:30 AM

If you test results do prove to be true read Solving Calcium and Alkalinity Problems.

Aquarist007 · 09/20/2007, 11:04 AM

thanks waterkeeper---I don't know why I didn't suggest that--that article has become my bible

Still would like to know what they are using right now

09/18/2007, 04:20 PM	#1
FragMan07 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Coconut Creek, FL Posts: 261	PH and KH levels are really high - PLEASE HELP I just did a water test and the PH and KH are off the charts. The Nitrates and Nitrates are perfect. Please help get my tank back to normal. I just removed a rock that I'm pretty sure was the cause of the levels going off the charts......so now the cause is gone, how do I fix the damage???? __________________ *Fine Grade Aragonite Sand Added on 12/15/07, Powerheads & Protein Skimmer Cleaned on 12/15/07, All Light Bulbs changed on 12/10/07, 10g Water Change on 3/27/08* Current Tank Info: 30 gal, 3-Inch Sandbed, Aqua C Remora HOT Skimmer, Coralife 2x65 Power Compact w/LED Lunar, 45lbs Fiji Live-Rock, 2-tank raised/mated Percula Clownfish, Green Star Polyps, Zoanthids, Ricordia,Yellow-Bellied Damsel Fish, 6-Line Wrasse, 2 Emerald Crabs

09/18/2007, 04:22 PM	#2
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	Well, the problem might be the test kits. Have any pH buffers been added? They are just high-pH alkalinity supplements, so they often cause this problem. Water changes will help if any animals are showing signs of trouble. Otherwise, waiting usually fixes this problem. How is alkalinity being measured? __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

09/18/2007, 04:24 PM	#3
FragMan07 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Coconut Creek, FL Posts: 261	I add Ph and Alk to my tank on a bi weekly rotating schedule. I add calcium 4 times a week I am using test strips called a 5 in 1 aquarium test strips for fresh and saltwater. I have no specific test for the Alk. But when I dip the strips, the colors turn VERY bold, and that reads as bad. __________________ *Fine Grade Aragonite Sand Added on 12/15/07, Powerheads & Protein Skimmer Cleaned on 12/15/07, All Light Bulbs changed on 12/10/07, 10g Water Change on 3/27/08* Current Tank Info: 30 gal, 3-Inch Sandbed, Aqua C Remora HOT Skimmer, Coralife 2x65 Power Compact w/LED Lunar, 45lbs Fiji Live-Rock, 2-tank raised/mated Percula Clownfish, Green Star Polyps, Zoanthids, Ricordia,Yellow-Bellied Damsel Fish, 6-Line Wrasse, 2 Emerald Crabs

09/18/2007, 04:29 PM	#5
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	I agree on getting a second opinion. Also, I would invest in a good alkalinity and pH kits, like Salifert, SeaTest, or API. A 2-part like B-Ionic or similar products is a safer method of dosing calcium and alkalinity. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

09/18/2007, 04:41 PM	#6
seapug Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: 4980 ft. Posts: 7,954 Blog Entries: 1	What are the levels you got? "Off the charts" is kinda relative and like others mentioned, those test strips are about the least reliable method out there. __________________ insert clever saying here. Current Tank Info: 200 gallon custom Marineland DD peninsular tank. LPS dominated mixed reef. Previous 90 gallon mixed reef TOTM April 2009.

09/18/2007, 04:26 PM	#4
marduc Registered Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Tampa, Fl. Posts: 780	Take the water to LFS and have them test it for a second opinion prior to taking drastic action.

09/19/2007, 07:43 PM	#8
FishTruck Premium Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Downers Grove, IL Posts: 805	Agree anecdotally with salifert. Will need to know your calcium levels to make sense of the alk and pH. It should be very low, or things are not adding up.

09/20/2007, 09:48 AM	#10
Dr Begalke Moved On Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: OH Posts: 246	keep an eye on those two angels, i had a flame and coral in a 120... they did fine for a few months, even swam together.. then all of a sudden the flame started attacking the coral relentlessly... i had to remove the coral.

09/20/2007, 10:30 AM	#11
WaterKeeper Bogus Information Expert Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: SW Ohio Posts: 16,147	If you test results do prove to be true read Solving Calcium and Alkalinity Problems. __________________ "Leading the information hungry reefer down the road to starvation" Tom Current Tank Info: 130 Now out of service and a 29

09/20/2007, 11:04 AM	#12
Aquarist007 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Hamilton, Canada Posts: 28,240 Blog Entries: 1	thanks waterkeeper---I don't know why I didn't suggest that--that article has become my bible Still would like to know what they are using right now __________________ I prefer my substrates stirred but not shaken Current Tank Info: 150gal long mixed reef, 90gal sump, 60 gal refugium with 200 lbs live rock