*****High alkalinity HELP******

[speeddemonlsr]

Okay just tested my water parm. today 75 gallon FOWLR in the process of now switching to reef(just got my first mushroom today). tested the water just now.
System: 30 gallon fuge with live sand, cheato, protein skimmer, 80 lbs of live rock, t-5 lighting, 4 maxi jets moving the water around up top, been running for 8 mts. (I just got done do hypo on the d.t. about a week ago so the salt level has been normal for only one week, dont know if thats my problem using reef crystals as my salt of choice. and RO/DI water with 0 TDS)
Having a problem with High Alkalinity
Tank temp-75.1
Salinity 1.024
Amm-0
Nitrite-0
nitrate-3.5
ph 8.3(double checked my result salifert)
calcium-420
Mag-1000
phosphate-0
Alk-16dkh 11.4meg!!!!!!!!!(Im using salfert new revised version batch0907-hn)
So does any one know what is wrong, new coral seems fine. fish great, shrimp, crabs everything is perfect. water is crystal clear, can anyone help!!!!!!!!!

 

[teen]

do you add anything to the tank? any additives? kalkwasser?
try testing again. are you reading the directions correctly?

 

[speeddemonlsr]

not dosing anything, read directions couple of times, dont know whats wrong if my alk is off by that much why is ph right on?

 

[teen]

i dont use salifert tests, but maybe your supposed to divide by 2?
16 is high, but not unheard of. 8 would be a more realistic, normal number.

 

[speeddemonlsr]

they give a solution to check against and the solution is right on, all the reading i have been doing says as long as ph and calcium stay right on track the higher alk is okay but they referance high alk as 11 not 16? Any other suggestions.

 

[teen]

i dont know what else to say. how often do you do water changes?

 

[speeddemonlsr]

Water changes every two weeks, 25% with ro/di water 0 on the tds meter.

 

[teen]

i would try buying anotehr brand test kit and testing with that. if you get the same #, then switch salt and see if it comes down.

 

[speeddemonlsr]

Thanks teen I apreciate your answers anyone else? Does anyone think alk at 16 would be acceptiable?

 

[swalchemist]

Seems I read somwhere that there was or is a problem with the Alk kit from Salifert. Test with another kit like Instant oceans Alk kit compare #s, it's just as good IMO, I use both.

 

[mscarpena]

I have been reading more and more people are having problems with high alk with reef crystals salt. Test your salt before you even add it to you tank and see what that is. My freinds was a 4.5 alk. I told him to call reef crystals for a refund, but he did not. Everybody that is having this problem should call. This is about the 4th or 5th post of this nature and everybody is using -- salt.

 

[speeddemonlsr]

Yeah I just tested a fresh batch at 16 dkh!!!!I think thats were my high Alk is coming from. Brand new reef crystals, Whats my next course of action. How do I bring that down or should I call reef crystals.

 

[oceansidefish]

I would call, then toss and start with another brand....Personally

 

[geoj]

bad test kit!

 

[speeddemonlsr]

Tested my water today with a new Instant Ocean Alk kit. tested 4 mEg/L, SO MY SALIFERT TEST KIT WAS WAY OFF THE MAP, so thats 11.2 in dkh thats where I need to be, I have lost faith in Salifet and will not buy from them againg. Just a side note I purchased the new and revised test kit. If anyone have the same batch I would test it against another brand kit.

 

[swalchemist]

"My freinds was a 4.5 alk. I told him to call reef crystals for a refund, but he did not. Everybody that is having this problem should call. This is about the 4th or 5th post of this nature and everybody is using -- salt."
Looks like I better go buy all the reef crystal before you guys ruin a good thing. An Alk of about 4 with slightly higher Ca and intense water flow can yield insane growth in acros under propper conditions.

 

[speeddemonlsr]

4 mEg/L is an acceptable value though yes its alittle high but why should I need a refund? The higher the Alk the less likely my water parameters will swing. Can you calify please.

 

[speeddemonlsr]

Originally Posted by SWAlchemist
"My freinds was a 4.5 alk. I told him to call reef crystals for a refund, but he did not. Everybody that is having this problem should call. This is about the 4th or 5th post of this nature and everybody is using -- salt."
Looks like I better go buy all the reef crystal before you guys ruin a good thing. An Alk of about 4 with slightly higher Ca and intense water flow can yield insane growth in acros under propper conditions.

Can you calify

 

[bonebrake]

I have heard that there is a bad batch of Salifert Alkalinity test kits going around and that the owner of Salifert is not answering phone calls or emails. If you ever get a crazy test reading and everything looks fine - double check it with another test. The same applies if something is wrong in your tank and everything tests fine - test everything with a friend's test kit or have your LFS test your water.