High Alkalinity
- Thread starter Lorac
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randy holmes-farley
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- Arlington, MA
A dKH of 7.5 is, as pointed out, similar to seawater.
An alkalinity of 7.5 meq/L, OTOH, is way too high.
We'd need to know which it was.
[ February 07, 2002: Message edited by: Randy Holmes-Farley ]</p>
An alkalinity of 7.5 meq/L, OTOH, is way too high.
We'd need to know which it was.
[ February 07, 2002: Message edited by: Randy Holmes-Farley ]</p>
i'm curious as to what actually happens when alkalinity is too high... calcium drops for one thing, but what else?
for about a 2-month block, my alkalinity was around 8 meq/L... its now down to 4.5, but until i started using kalkwasser, nothing would drop it.
for about a 2-month block, my alkalinity was around 8 meq/L... its now down to 4.5, but until i started using kalkwasser, nothing would drop it.
randy holmes-farley
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- Location
- Arlington, MA
Agent:
<< for about a 2-month block, my alkalinity was around 8 meq/L... its now down to 4.5, but until i started using kalkwasser, nothing would drop it. >>
If the alkalinity dropped when you used limewater, it is likely because the limewater raised the pH, converting some bicarbonate to carboante. That pushed to supersaturatiuon of calcium and magnesium carbonate to unstable levels, and you got prtecipitation of calcium (and perhaps magnesium) carbonate around the tank (especially on things like heaters).
Other than the loss of calcium and possibly magnesium and strontium as carboantes, I'm not aware of any other chemical things that high alkalinity will do. It might foster growth of some things, from corals to algae, but that is speculation.
<< for about a 2-month block, my alkalinity was around 8 meq/L... its now down to 4.5, but until i started using kalkwasser, nothing would drop it. >>
If the alkalinity dropped when you used limewater, it is likely because the limewater raised the pH, converting some bicarbonate to carboante. That pushed to supersaturatiuon of calcium and magnesium carbonate to unstable levels, and you got prtecipitation of calcium (and perhaps magnesium) carbonate around the tank (especially on things like heaters).
Other than the loss of calcium and possibly magnesium and strontium as carboantes, I'm not aware of any other chemical things that high alkalinity will do. It might foster growth of some things, from corals to algae, but that is speculation.
I have had my tank cycling now for 3 weeks. My alkalinity is also around 9 meq! Calcium seems stable at 430 ppm. I did a test on my RO water and it showed 0 alkalinity. I was wondering if it has anything to do with the way I make up new saltwater. I am using Instant Ocean.
randy holmes-farley
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- Location
- Arlington, MA
Unless you added a boatload of an alkalinity supplement, there is no way that you can combine IO salt with 0 alkalinity water and come out with 9 meq/L alkalinity. I'll bet 10:1 that the kit is in error.
You sure is isn't 9 dKH?
[ February 08, 2002: Message edited by: Randy Holmes-Farley ]</p>
You sure is isn't 9 dKH?
[ February 08, 2002: Message edited by: Randy Holmes-Farley ]</p>
My alkalinity has also been in the 8 - 9 meq/l. Calcium at about 500. It will not come down. when I posted this very question, I got nothing but attitude stating that I was adding too many things. Funny thing is, I haven't added anything.
I have also tried water changes, doesn't really change it much.
And before anyone asks, yes I tested the RO water I use. It tests at zero
I am using one of those highly recommended Salifert test kits. (they are a PITA if you ask me)
David
I have also tried water changes, doesn't really change it much.
And before anyone asks, yes I tested the RO water I use. It tests at zero
I am using one of those highly recommended Salifert test kits. (they are a PITA if you ask me)
David
randy holmes-farley
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- Location
- Arlington, MA
David:
Did you test the salt water mix that you are using?
Did you test the salt water mix that you are using?
I am also using the salifert test kit and get an alkalinity that is way off the charts. Like I said before, when I test my RO water, I get a reading of zero. Doesn't that indicate that the kit is OK? To make matters even more interesting, I started dosing kalk and noticed my calcium climb to 420 ppm and my alkalinity drop to 20dkh. Can it mean that there is something wrong with the salt that I am using?
Chns0289,
I am curious how you can read a DKH of 20 with the Salifert kit. If I remember right the scale stops at 16.
For those of you who use the Salifert Alk Kits, When you draw the liquid into the syringe watch closely how much chemical is really being pulled in. If the plastic tip leaks any air you wont get the right amount. There should be an air bubble from .8ml to 1ml mark. (A .2 ml bubble) . This bubble has to be there and must be .2ml in size for proper calibration of the test.
For those using the Salifert test and getting extremely high Alk levels could you give me an idea of how you are doing it step by step, something just don’t seem right.
Ph
I am curious how you can read a DKH of 20 with the Salifert kit. If I remember right the scale stops at 16.
For those of you who use the Salifert Alk Kits, When you draw the liquid into the syringe watch closely how much chemical is really being pulled in. If the plastic tip leaks any air you wont get the right amount. There should be an air bubble from .8ml to 1ml mark. (A .2 ml bubble) . This bubble has to be there and must be .2ml in size for proper calibration of the test.
For those using the Salifert test and getting extremely high Alk levels could you give me an idea of how you are doing it step by step, something just don’t seem right.
Ph
OOoofff--you guys put WAAAAAAAY too much confidence in your test kits. The calcium test kits are all much less reliable/accurate than Alkalinity (I don't care who makes it). I'd believe my alkalinity reading over my Calcium any day of the week and twice on Sunday (but neither one is above error).
If you have 550+ppm Calcium and alk over 4.5 meq/l (13dKH) I'd really suspect that one/both of the test kits is hosed. Making decisions based on suspect test results is a big mistake. Take some water and have someone else test it.
Ty
If you have 550+ppm Calcium and alk over 4.5 meq/l (13dKH) I'd really suspect that one/both of the test kits is hosed. Making decisions based on suspect test results is a big mistake. Take some water and have someone else test it.
Ty
Yeah I have Saliferts Alk and CA kits, but most of the time I use Tetras KH test, faster quicker cheaper, and matches the Saliferts almost dead on target. And I agree, I am yet to see a decent CA test that my color deficiant eyes can read but Salifert has been to closest to giving repeatable readings.
From the above post I was seeing that several people were having bigtime high ALK reading, this has to be operator error, or a bad batch of kits.
Ph
From the above post I was seeing that several people were having bigtime high ALK reading, this has to be operator error, or a bad batch of kits.
Ph
After completely ignoring my tank for about 2 months,(no water changes, no additives, etc.) MY alk has dropped to 5.5 meq/l and calcium at 500. I did add a refugium, however.
PH
I followed the directions that were included in the test kit. Yes, there was an air bubble in the syringe.
[ February 11, 2002: Message edited by: 31-2c ]</p>
PH
I followed the directions that were included in the test kit. Yes, there was an air bubble in the syringe.
[ February 11, 2002: Message edited by: 31-2c ]</p>
I think Salifert kits are reliable, quite accurate, well-priced... and easy to use. It takes me about 10-15 mins once per 2 weeks to measure Ca, kH, pH, ammon, nitrite, nitrate, PO4, o2. No trouble at all.
My Ca is 290 up from 270; I'm adding supplement gradually to get it up to around 350. Interestingly, the kH jumped from 9.5 to 11.7.
My .02
My Ca is 290 up from 270; I'm adding supplement gradually to get it up to around 350. Interestingly, the kH jumped from 9.5 to 11.7.
My .02
randy holmes-farley
Advanced Reefer
- Location
- Arlington, MA
I'm glad it was the kit and not the tank
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