Alkalinity 16 YIKES

british_eh · 02/07/2019, 10:58 PM

So, new 162 Gallon tank since November, fish in December, Corals in January. Had live sand and some live rock to begin with.

Only 8 fish, 5 snails and a couple of shrimps.

Temp 78 pH 7.8 Alkalinity 15 - 16 Calcium 440 Magnesium 1200

Phosphate < 0.25 Ammonia 0 Nitrites 0 Nitrates 0 Salinity 1.0245

RO water alkalinity 16

Corals, dying ...

Was using Baking soda to raise pH but I think it's raising Alkalinity too
Not sure of brand of Salt, but it is supposed to be pure as it is expensive and used by a friend with multiple tanks.

Outside air tube directly to Protein Skimmer, also 2 filter socks changed q 4 days, and UV light. 5 blowers to move H20.

Need to lower Alkalinity and raise pH
HELP PLEASE

FishAndPhysics · 02/07/2019, 11:22 PM

Stop adding baking soda to your tank. Baking soda is sodium bicarbonate, carbonate is alkalinity. On its own, inless pH is super, super low (I would say below 7.8) I wouldn't mess with it. If you must really get it up, scrub your skimmer air intake with a soda lime reactor.

What prompted you to start worrying about your pH? How low was your pH then?

mcgyvr · 02/08/2019, 05:33 AM

Common beginner mistake..

Stop worrying about pH... Your pH is totally fine
Stop adding the baking soda..
Let the alkalinity come down on its own and help it along some by doing water changes if consumption from corals isn't enough to lower it

FishAndPhysics · 02/08/2019, 09:57 AM

Wait, was just rereading your message. The alkalinity of your RO water is also 16 dkH??? Something is very, very wrong with your RO filter, your test kit, or your testing method. RO water should be 0 dkH. In fact, mine is usually slightly acidic because it has no buffering capacity (no alkalinity) and it absorbs CO2 from the air.

mcgyvr · 02/08/2019, 10:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FishAndPhysics

Wait, was just rereading your message. The alkalinity of your RO water is also 16 dkH??? Something is very, very wrong with your RO filter, your test kit, or your testing method. RO water should be 0 dkH. In fact, mine is usually slightly acidic because it has no buffering capacity (no alkalinity) and it absorbs CO2 from the air.

I assumed they simply meant that as 2 statements..
1- They are using RO water
2-Their alkalinity in the tank is 16dkh

hkgar · 02/08/2019, 02:57 PM

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2588686

02/07/2019, 10:58 PM	#1
british_eh Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2019 Posts: 5	Alkalinity 16 YIKES So, new 162 Gallon tank since November, fish in December, Corals in January. Had live sand and some live rock to begin with. Only 8 fish, 5 snails and a couple of shrimps. Temp 78 pH 7.8 Alkalinity 15 - 16 Calcium 440 Magnesium 1200 Phosphate < 0.25 Ammonia 0 Nitrites 0 Nitrates 0 Salinity 1.0245 RO water alkalinity 16 Corals, dying ... Was using Baking soda to raise pH but I think it's raising Alkalinity too Not sure of brand of Salt, but it is supposed to be pure as it is expensive and used by a friend with multiple tanks. Outside air tube directly to Protein Skimmer, also 2 filter socks changed q 4 days, and UV light. 5 blowers to move H20. Need to lower Alkalinity and raise pH HELP PLEASE

02/08/2019, 05:33 AM	#3
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	Common beginner mistake.. Stop worrying about pH... Your pH is totally fine Stop adding the baking soda.. Let the alkalinity come down on its own and help it along some by doing water changes if consumption from corals isn't enough to lower it __________________ Who me?

02/08/2019, 02:57 PM	#6
hkgar Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Dewitt MI Posts: 5,051	http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2588686 __________________ Gary 180 gallon, 40 gallon sump, 3 250 W MH + 4 80W ATI T5's, MTC MVX 36 Skimmer, Apex controller Aquamaxx T-3 CaRx Current Tank Info: A 2 Barred Rabbitfish, Red Head Salon, Yellow/Purple, McMaster Fairy, Possum, 2 Leopard Wrasses, Kole, & Atlantic Blue Tangs, 2 Percula Clown, 3 PJ and 1 Banggai Cardinalfish , Swallowtail, Bellus and Coral Beauty Angels

02/07/2019, 11:22 PM	#2
FishAndPhysics Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: NY Posts: 95	Stop adding baking soda to your tank. Baking soda is sodium bicarbonate, carbonate is alkalinity. On its own, inless pH is super, super low (I would say below 7.8) I wouldn't mess with it. If you must really get it up, scrub your skimmer air intake with a soda lime reactor. What prompted you to start worrying about your pH? How low was your pH then?

02/08/2019, 09:57 AM	#4
FishAndPhysics Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: NY Posts: 95	Wait, was just rereading your message. The alkalinity of your RO water is also 16 dkH??? Something is very, very wrong with your RO filter, your test kit, or your testing method. RO water should be 0 dkH. In fact, mine is usually slightly acidic because it has no buffering capacity (no alkalinity) and it absorbs CO2 from the air.