dkh

[Bitewing]

OK, here is my problem. About 8 weeks ago I started adding B-Ionic calcium and alkalinity buffer to my 50 gallon reef tank to raise my calcium. Calcium went up perfectly, but alkalinity went up to 16. I stopped the alkalinity buffer for a week and it went down to under 11, then when I did a water change it went back up to 13, my new mix is 10.6. What is going on?

 

[batt600]

OK, here is my problem. About 8 weeks ago I started adding B-Ionic calcium and alkalinity buffer to my 50 gallon reef tank to raise my calcium. Calcium went up perfectly, but alkalinity went up to 16. I stopped the alkalinity buffer for a week and it went down to under 11, then when I did a water change it went back up to 13, my new mix is 10.6. What is going on?

What salt aer you using?

 

[Bitewing]

Instant Ocean reef crystals

 

[batt600]

when making a fresh batch of saltwater test for Dkh it might be on the high side IO salt is is known for that . And do you test before you dose ?

 

[Bitewing]

My new mix was under 11, this am my dkh was under 11, now 13.4 after water change

 

[batt600]

My new mix was under 11, this am my dkh was under 11, now 13.4 after water change

Thats weird what test kit are you using

 

[Bitewing]

salifert

 

[batt600]

I dont us salifert anymore they give in accurate readings i use Elos now . My elos test was dkh7 and my salifert was 11dkh

 

[Bitewing]

I did add a ph buffer after the water change to raise the ph a little, would this matter?

 

[batt600]

yes Ph buffer also raises dkh

 

[Bitewing]

So don't add ph buffer unless really low levels?

 

[batt600]

you dont need it at all focus on you dkh not ph. Ph from 8 to 8.30 is fine

 

[DrHarryLopez]

I would stop adding anything. Continue regular water changes. Test weekly until Ca is at normal low and alk drops to within acceptable numbers. What is your Ca at now?

 

[Boomer]

Adding that buffer raised the local pH and Alk to high giving. Do NOT add any more buffer of any kind, till it lowers. I wild leave it alone, it will come down fast enough on its own.

Ca++ + CO3- ---> CaCO3 solid

You will not really notice the loss of Ca++. If a mere 20 ppm Ca++ leaves solution it will take 2.8 dKH with it.

You DO NOT add buffer unless it is low. You DO NOT add buffer if pH is low. If both the pH and Alk are low it is OK to add a buffer and preferably baked baking soda. IO has a high dKH to begin with ~ 11 dKH. You should not let the Alk get higher than 10 -11 dKH, which is much higher than any reef. If your Caclium is low then just add the Calcium sup, no buffer. And what was the Calcium level and what did you raise it to ?