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]

Originally Posted by rwdn

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!!!