High Alk Problem

straightrazorguy · #1 09-23-2015, 01:28 AM

In desperation I prepared a small batch of saltwater and did a 15 gallon change. To my shock, the KH went up slightly. I had just opened a new bucket of IO salt. So, I tested the new water (after the fact) and found the Alk to be 12.8 dKH. What the heck?....

WarDog · #2 09-23-2015, 01:42 AM

Everytime I mix IO I always get 10.5 - 11.5. Thought this was common knowledge (?).

Totally sucks if you're trying to run Zeo. Sorry to hear.

Myka · #3 09-23-2015, 01:47 AM

Fwiw, muriatic acid will lower alkalinity and not affect other parameters. I have no idea how much you would need to add. It would be a very small amount. I've not actually heard of anyone using it in-tank though. I'm certainly not recommending it - just putting it out there for you to consider looking into.

What's your calcium at?

straightrazorguy · #4 09-23-2015, 02:27 AM

Thanks Mindy. I had no idea. I do have Muriatic acid, ; I may add it to the new water if the Alk doesn't go down soon.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Myka

What's your calcium at?

Yesterday it was at 430. Normally I keep it between 410 and 430.

Myka · #5 09-23-2015, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by straightrazorguy

Thanks Mindy. I had no idea. I do have Muriatic acid, ; I may add it to the new water if the Alk doesn't go down soon.

Yesterday it was at 430. Normally I keep it between 410 and 430.

That's odd that your calcium didn't dip down. Usually it does, and then if you raise it up you can get the alkalinity to go down a bit. If your magnesium is around 1400 ppm you could increase calcium to about 465 ppm (Mg 3x the value of Ca). If it was me, I'd try to get all of the "big three" raised up so that they are closer to balanced, and then stop dosing and let them fall on their own.

Slyguy00 · #6 09-23-2015, 02:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Myka

That's odd that your calcium didn't dip down. Usually it does, and then if you raise it up you can get the alkalinity to go down a bit. If your magnesium is around 1400 ppm you could increase calcium to about 465 ppm (Mg 3x the value of Ca). If it was me, I'd try to get all of the "big three" raised up so that they are closer to balanced, and then stop dosing and let them fall on their own.

+1. Thats what i would do as well. 11dkh is a bit high but not dangerously high. I usually keep my alk around 10-10.5. Hope you get it figured out.

Animal-Chin · #7 09-23-2015, 08:04 PM

If you add a lot of calcium with your alk that high and your mg isn't high too, its going to calcify all over the place including your pumps! Be really careful if that's the plan.

straightrazorguy · #8 09-23-2015, 08:08 PM

Ha; the alk is now sitting at 7.9. Ca at 425. Mg at 1410. I stopped dosing Alk for less than 48 hours, but left the Ca doser on its normal schedule (dosing for 9.5 min every hour, 20 times a day). So, in less than 48 hours, my corals burned through nearly 3 dKH units of Alk.

Do plants have anything to do with Alk consumption? I have a 55 gallon refugium that growns cheato and caulerpa like a champ! Because I like my fish fat and happy!

Let's hope the SPS don't suffer from the spike...

straightrazorguy · #9 09-23-2015, 02:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WarDog

Everytime I mix IO I always get 10.5 - 11.5. Thought this was common knowledge (?).

Totally sucks if you're trying to run Zeo. Sorry to hear.

Thanks for the info. 12.8 was a bit of a shock to me. Not trying to run Zeo. I do run biopellets though. I prefer my alk around 8-8.5 dKH.