high alkalinity need help

[mshur]

hi!
i have a new set up,,,still go throw A cycle
i test my water last nite, and what i have:
ph--8.25 monitoring24/7
sg-1.025
ca-430/440
but my alkalinity is 16dkh--to high
i am using ca reactor from pm
i only have lf about 90lbs,ohh,my nitrite still a little hight about .5
amonia-0
nitrates-10
what should i do about alkalinity?
thankx,for advice
michael

 

[Len]

16 dkH is high, but I really wouldn't be concerned about it. It is possible there is interference with the test kit from the (relatively) new mix of saltwater. It is also possible the test kit is inaccurate, susceptible to interference and/or too old.

If your alkalinity is really that high, it will likely fall in time as organics build and as you stock your tank with more calcium-demanding invertebrates. People are constantly battling to elevate their alkalinity, so you've got a good problem on your hands If it still is too high, bottled seltzer water (aka carbonated water) can bring it down. But I really don't think it's likely you'll encounter that problem in the coming months.

 

[mshur]

thankx,len
would u recomend to order clean up crew,or i should wait other weeek or so.i have a lots of algea and diotoms.and btw i use salifert kits.
ohhh,one more thing is it nessesary to have closed loop and how this system woks?
thankx,michael

 

[tdwyatt]

just curious, which brand of salt do you use???

 

[mshur]

I AM USING A INSTANT OCEAN

 

[tdwyatt]

hi!
i have a new set up...

ca-430/440
but my alkalinity is 16dkh--to high
i am using ca reactor from pm

New sand and new Ca reactor... Prolly have an acidic discharge from the reactor, and little of your sand prolly has much biofilm on it yet, and should dissolve moreso than it will with a little maturity. I concur with the others on the gradual drop of Alkalinity as the tank matures. Your hi9gh alk levels are most likely due to the sand releasing some of it's alkalinity from the reaction with the acidic effluent from the reactor (immature sandbed without a biofilm on the granules to protect it) Just a random thought, nothing factual to back it up.

 

[jamesw]

Tom! Welcome back - haven't seen you in a while.

You going to MACNA?

Cheers
James

 

[tdwyatt]

Tom! Welcome back - haven't seen you in a while.

You going to MACNA?

As much as I would like to, I won't be there this year (still a little gunshy after the Baltimore fiasco...), but I am looking at the Chicago meeting in May as my next conference. Heh, I don't have a partner now, the patient load is killing me!!! I will be spending more time here now that things are starting to settle down a bit!

 

[jamesw]

Good to hear you are doing better Tom. I don't remember the Baltimore fiasco - send me a private message and tell me about it, ok?

Cheers
James

 

[mshur]

thankx,tom
i got same answear when i call presicion marine)
michael