Carbonate lowering techniques?

[medic_eva]

So, if my test is correct, my carbonate hardness is 140. And, according to my kit, I am to contact my local authorities. So, is just a partial water change in order? The tank has been up for a week, had lotsa cured rock and sand go in it.

0 ammonia,
0 nitrites,
less then 5 nitrates...
And my pH, I have no idea what it is, the color the kit turns the water is PURPLE, and well, that's just not an option for chosing the color on the pack page. My guess is that it's either 8.3. or 8.5.
Calcium is around 440
Phosphate is 1

So what do I do about the carbonate? Is something else affecting it? In my books it only tells me about what to do if it's too low! grrrrr

Thanks!

Eva

[StirCrazy]

So, if my test is correct, my carbonate hardness is 140. And, according to my kit, I am to contact my local authorities.

Eva

Um... what are you talking about?

Steve

[medic_eva]

I have no idea!

hehe... I guess my carbonate is high, and by authorities, I meant fish peoples.

[StirCrazy]

I have no idea!

hehe... I guess my carbonate is high, and by authorities, I meant fish peoples.

what kind of test kit are you using and is it for fresh water? I have never heard of anyone testing for carbonate hardness in a reef.

Steve

[medic_eva]

it's the nurifin test kits, and it's for salt water. the KH (aka. carbonate, aka. alkalinity) the stuff that stabilizes water pH. Should be less the 105mg/L .

[mr_alberta]

I think that 140mg/L = 2.8mEq/L which I believe is in the acceptable range for reef tanks....someone please correct me if I'm wrong...

[medic_eva]

hmmm. i dont' know how you did that conversion, but the book thing that it came with says that above 125 (and mine is 140) then to call an aquarium care specialist because is it unusually high.

[mr_alberta]

This fancy little gizmo tells me everything:

http://www.hagen.com/canada/english/aquatic/gh_kh_conv_cal.cfm

[medic_eva]

SWEET thanks