Alk high

[kfish]

I am having problems with my Alk it is high .I am useing the Red Sea tester.I spoke to a company not sure who now .but thay told me to use Superbuffer-dkh with now it is higher.my ph is fine.Then i spoke to some one else . they said to do water changes to bring it back down or a acid buffer.Ithink i need a acid buffer because all my tanks are high in Alk.Please help I do not understand all of these parameters . My parameters Ammo.0 -Nitrite.0 Nitrate.15-ph.82-phosphate.0 Calcium.340 I kwow thats low working at geting it back up But not doing so will.What is the best way of doing this?

 

[gwh57]

How big is your tank and what is "high". What is your alk level now?

 

[kfish]

19High 30 long guess thats a 40 gall.My tester dose not show # But if this helps my KG is 230. The tester shows it should be 105-125mg/l.

 

[gwh57]

If you are using test strips you need to replace them with test kits. Your alkalinity needs to be at least 7dkh or 125ppm. Those are the low side readings.

Generally if you do nothing or add nothing your alkalinity will fall on it's on.

 

[kfish]

I do have test kits .Its by Marine Aqariums Test lab Campany Red Sea .But its only has the color chart. I have a freash water tank thats been up for 3years and it has all ways been high in Alk. But all is fine .Fish are doing well.I have star polyps and they are shrinking so could that be from the alk being high .My mushroom are all doing fine also the anemone he has split allready,torch stony ,flower leather .Chili cactus not so good

 

[kfish]

Originally Posted by KFish
I do have test kits .Its by Marine Aqariums Test lab Campany Red Sea .But its only has the color chart. I have a freash water tank thats been up for 3years and it has all ways been high in Alk. But all is fine .Fish are doing well.I have star polyps and they are shrinking so could that be from the alk being high .My mushroom are all doing fine also the anemone he has split allready,torch stony ,flower leather .Chili cactus not so good
Also i have not got set up for RO water yet .looking in to it now. I have been useing the tap water filter.

 

[reefnut]

I would just stick with water changes until you get a test kit that gives you actual numbers. That said, with your calcium being low at 340ppm... bring it up to 400 to 420 will lower your alkalinity. but again water changes would probably be your best bet.

 

[kfish]

Thanks for your help. What is the best way of bring my cal back up with the liquid cal or water changes also?

 

[reefnut]

Water changes and/or a calcium additive.

 

[kfish]

Thanks

 

[azfishgal]

I use Kent Marine Liquid Calcium every day and then Kent Marine Superbuffer-dKH just about every day (still getting the hang of how often I need to use it). On the instructions it says to use every two weeks once you reach your alk and pH level, but I have found I will need to use it more often as my alk will drop after just a few days. After I use up my Liquid Calcium I will be switching to Kent Marine Turbo Calcium, more cost effective. Just be sure to NOT add the calcium and buffer at the same time. Do one in the morning and one at night. I try and keep my alk/calcium between 3.0/420 and 3.5/430 and my pH at 8.2-8.3. In doing this I'm starting to see my purple coraline spreading.

Edit: I think you'll also see a big difference when you switch to RO water. And test the saltwater you are using, to see the calcium level and alk. It's probably lower than you want, so keep in mind when you do a water change you are lowering the calcium level and alk. That doesn't mean to not do water changes, just something to keep in mind when you do them.

 

[kfish]

Frist I wont to think everone for there help. I have learned alot from just reading off of this message board it really is alot of help.I think if I buy all the right testers I might be able to understand these buffers .

 

[azfishgal]

Originally Posted by KFish
Frist I wont to think everone for there help. I have learned alot from just reading off of this message board it really is alot of help.I think if I buy all the right testers I might be able to understand these buffers .
I was also very overwhelmed with everything especially the buffers, calcium, etc. Enough to make my head spin. But, I finally have a handle on it and it's not so scary anymore. Good luck and just take one step at a time. Like you said, this site is awesome!