KH & Alkalinity off the Scale--need help

[beth]

Ok, I was attempting to raise my pH to 8.2 using Kent's Superbuffer-dkh and now my alk and KH are not even readable---meaning so high that my Salifert test kit can't read it.
Calcium is low at 310--I'm trying to raise it which will be impossible with this alk-KH problem. What's interesting is that my PH is still not 8.2. Hovering at 8.0.
What do I need to do get the alk-KH within range? Just water changes? I'll be getting a sandbed detritivore kit next wk so I need to HURRY and fix this!!
[ December 29, 2001: Message edited by: Beth ]

 

[adrian]

Beth, as far as I know you cant use an Alk buffer to raise your pH, you'll need a pH buffer. Do some water changes and leave the tank alone for a couple of days, then slowly raise both the alk and ca a little bit at a time, you dont want to try to raise one at a time because it will throw the other out of wack. Try raising the alk a little in the the morning, and then raise the Ca a little in the evening, keep this up for a few days and you should be able to get the levels where you want them. What test kits are you using for pH and are you testing it at the same time of day everytime?
[ December 29, 2001: Message edited by: Adrian ]

 

[javajoe]

This is the same stuff i use, suppose to raise ph and alk. it has worked fine for me-- i use a DI filter for tap water, and teh ph afer adding salt is only 8.0. This was cuasing my calium to be 800-950-ppm! once i started suing the buffer everyday (in the am) the ph and alk got where they needed to be, and the calicum is 450-500ppm. this has been my experience with it- have not had issue- not sure what could be happening in your case.

 

[beth]

Well, I'm just starting [and learning] about reef setups so bare with me. I guess I need to read more on additives.
I'm concerned at this point about the high alk level in this tank. There is only LR and LS in there now. Will things be ok over the next few days while I try to lower the alk? What happens to the tank when alk readings are this high? Will alk lower on its own wo a water change?
I've been taking ph, calcium and alk-KH readings in the evenings cause that is when I get home from work. And I know that calcium drops at night. However, since today is SAT and I'm not working, I wanted to check the readings during the day and got this high alk-kh reading--actually I didn't get a reading at all cause it is so high!
I need to know if I need to do a major water change immeidately or am I ok. I only have LR and LS, but I don't want die-off on the rock. I use Salifert test kits for everything. I am going to go to pinpoint for PH and probably salinity too.
thanks for quick response!
Oh, and as to the buffer, it is Kent Superbuffer-dkh. The label says, "specially formulated pH buffer & alk or cabonate hardness builder designed to adjust pH of saltwater aquariums to 8.0-8.3 and build the KH"
It contains: carbonate, biocarbonate and borate salts.
[ December 29, 2001: Message edited by: Beth ]

 

[javajoe]

Beth-- pH drops at night too--- try testing it once mid morning on a saturday or something... your ph may not be as low as you think.... that is one of the reasons i add the buffer in the morning...
I guess i am not using the same stuff- i am using "Enhanced Pro•Buffer dKH"
Kent Marines description... "Enhanced Pro•Buffer dKH with Coralline Accelerator raises alkalinity or buffering capacity and works automatically to control pH in any marine aquarium."
[ December 29, 2001: Message edited by: Javajoe ]

 

[beth]

The ph was not extremely low anyway. It was 8.0 at nite and today it was around 8.1. I was aiming for 8.3 but, as I said, it was not a big problem.
The problem is that I added too much buffer and now I can't even get a reading on my KH/Alk. I want to know what the results of this will be on my tank, and what is the fastest and safest way to deal with it? Or, should I just leave it alone and it will lower on its own??

 

[javajoe]

I am not really sure how you woudl take care of this, but here is an idea-- may not work, but here goes, and beats doing a large water change.
I had a really high calcium reading (850-900ppm) when my ph and alk were low. once i added buffer, less calcium was dissolved, and that lowered to around 450ppm or so.
If the low ph and low alk allowed the water to dissolve more calcium, maybe adding MORE calcium supplement would cause the ph and alk to lower? probably wont work, but who knows? (someone else might want to second this befroe you try it-- i would hate to have you test this and do more damage! )

 

[burnnspy]

I recommend just sitting on it for awhile, I dont believe there will be any damage to the tank. I recommend using a buffer that will not affect ph(Seachem Reef builder etc).
When a reef matures and alkalinity is stable pH stays in the 8.2 range automatically(not with a calc reactor though).
I am not aware of calcium readings changing through the day like pH does.
Good Luck,
BurnNSpy

 

[mlm]

I have been using Kent's Superbuffer-dkh also for about a week and have not noticed any change in alk or Ph. Does it take a long time to start changing or should it be right away?

 

[beth]

Well, mine went from no changes for several days to this very big change. The reading I got which was off the Salifert scale was 8.34. In any case, I did a water change and the alk is now in the 5.12 range. I'll do as Burn suggests and leave it at that.
Now, I need to get the Calcium up though, which is only 300. The Sea Salt I used for FO isn't going to cut it for reef.

 

[burnnspy]

Beth, are you using aragonite gravel in your SB?
BurnNSpy

 

[mlm]

This product says you can add more than it says (up to 1/2 ml per gallon in 12 hours) if you need to. Do you all think this is safe?

 

[beth]

Burn: My DSB is Nature's Ocean LS, Keys LS and CarabSea bagged dry sand. All aragonite. That is why I am a bit baffled by the lack of calcium. However, the sea salt I have been using is grossly deficient in calicum, thus I believe I'm going to switch over to Reef Crystals. In the meantime I've been using the Part A-calcium portion of C-Balance to up the calcium.

 

[adrian]

Just a note, but the buffering capabilities of aragonite sand is pretty debated, in order for aragonite to offer any buffering it has to first dissolve and this means it has to be placed in a solution with a lower pH, which is unlikely in a reef tank. This is why Ca reactors work, aragonite is dissolved by the introduction of CO2 creating an acidic enviroment in which the aragonite dissolves and Ca, bicarbonate, strontium, ect. is released into the the water. Beth, try some reef advatage and builder and see if that works, the two parters are not meant to boost the levels, but only to maintain them and it will take a while for you to get the levels up using this route. HTH