KH Reading

[rwdn]

If my KH reading is unusually high, how do I lower the alkalinity?

[titus]

Hello,

How did you get the reading high? Water changes would do.

Titus

[Aquattro]

If my KH reading is unusually high, how do I lower the alkalinity?

What is "high", and which brand of kit are you using?

[rwdn]

I've used both a Salifert and Hagen kit, both of which have readings right off the map....the hagen reading indicated 210

[Aquattro]

The Hagen isn't trustworthy in my opinion, and the Salifert doesn't go "off the map". Using the Salifert, continue adding drops until you get a color change, even if you need more than one syringe of reagent. Then add the total and determine the dKh or mEq/l values.

[rwdn]

Using the Salifert, my KH value is 15.4 and Alkalinity is 5.49.......way too high. How to I get them cloer to normal? Water changes?

[Aquattro]

Yes, I would do water changes. Monitor your Ca and alk over a few changes to make sure you don't change things too quickly.
Any idea how it got that high?

[rwdn]

My own stupidity really....on someone's advice I starting adding buffer to the water trying to get my PH to 8.3. I have a feeling that's what led to this and other problems (I lost 2 fire shrimp in the process)

[Aquattro]

Well, that's easy to fix then. Water changes will work well. And as long as your pH is steady somewhere between 8.0 and 8.4, you'll be fine.

[rwdn]

Thansk for the advice!!!

[titus]

Hello,

Yeah one has to be careful with chemical additives trying to bring pH under the ideal textbook levels. One of my customers who recently bought a calcium reactor did the same thing and had his alk level too high. Both his pH and Ca levels were lower than what he wanted. Once the reactor has been running for about a week, he has no more problems with pH and Ca. Alk would also be a gradual problem to solve when he does his periodic water changes.

Why? Because the reactor attempts to adjust things in a slower and balanced manner. So if you do not use a reactor, you also have to watch your levels in a more compreshensive manner. So bottom line is monitor everything and try not to over do one abnormally.

Titus

[rwdn]

Thanks Titus.........as you might guess, I'm relative;y new to all of this and am learning tons. Still so much to learn!!!