WMAS Discussion Forum : Sky High KH/DKH http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/ Copyright (c) 2006-2013 Web Wiz Forums - All Rights Reserved. Thu, 16 Jul 2026 12:31:15 +0000 Sat, 17 May 2014 08:35:25 +0000 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Web Wiz Forums 12.03 360 www.utahreefs.com/forum/RSS_post_feed.asp?TID=71029 <![CDATA[WMAS Discussion Forum]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/1by1.gif http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/ <![CDATA[Sky High KH/DKH : Good questions. It&#039;s nice...]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=71029&PID=565606&title=sky-high-kh-dkh#565606 Author: Mark Peterson
Subject: 71029
Posted: May 17 2014 at 8:35am

Good questions. It's nice to see a new person asking these questions so mistakes can be avoided. Thumbs Up

There is really no need to change the water now. In a couple months, use RO water for 10% monthly water changes. A 20% water change changes things by 20%, or less meaning Alk will go down, but not by much because the RO water mixed with salt will still have a dKH of 10. It's not like you are adding saltwater with a dKH of 0/zero. I wouldn't bother with changing water now.

If you follow the method in the link below, you can have coral and fish within a week. I give away the live stuff you need to do it. Call/text me and come visit.

Aloha Hug
808-345-1049
750 E Lakepoint Dr. #4V Murray
]]> Sat, 17 May 2014 08:35:25 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=71029&PID=565606&title=sky-high-kh-dkh#565606 <![CDATA[Sky High KH/DKH : I was not able to purchase the...]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=71029&PID=565604&title=sky-high-kh-dkh#565604 Author: JBlaze31
Subject: 71029
Posted: May 17 2014 at 7:57am

I was not able to purchase the kit for testing Ca, so I have not been able to test that yet.  I did fill the tank approx. 4 days ago with tap water with the buffer to assist in stabilization.  I am starting to think, this is where I went wrong.  I should have purchased a few gallons of the RO water that is sold around my area.  I am still skeptical on that being the best move though. But it appears that is the way to fix my problem.  So todays task is very simple, find some better water, and change some of it out.
 
For a 75 gal tank, would 15 to 20 gallons be enough to make a difference?  That is approx. a 20% water change.
 
I am also sensing that it is not a good idea to attempt to put any types of corals in right now as well.  At least until I get the alk figured out.
]]> Sat, 17 May 2014 07:57:19 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=71029&PID=565604&title=sky-high-kh-dkh#565604 <![CDATA[Sky High KH/DKH : Aloha Andrew,If you are testing...]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=71029&PID=565602&title=sky-high-kh-dkh#565602 Author: Mark Peterson
Subject: 71029
Posted: May 17 2014 at 7:45am

Aloha Andrew,

If you are testing Alkalinity(Alk at 8-14 dKH/3-5 meqL is the suggested range), you should also be testing Calcium(Ca at 350-550 ppm is the suggested range).
Are you using tap water or purified/Reverse Osmosis(RO) water?

pilotx44, whose name is also Andrew Smile, continued this thread here where he states that he found the reason for his tanks Alk testing at over 14dKH: http://utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=71160

Mark Hug
]]> Sat, 17 May 2014 07:45:53 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=71029&PID=565602&title=sky-high-kh-dkh#565602 <![CDATA[Sky High KH/DKH : I am also having the same problem....]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=71029&PID=565600&title=sky-high-kh-dkh#565600 Author: JBlaze31
Subject: 71029
Posted: May 17 2014 at 7:22am

I am also having the same problem.  I have tested my alk twice in my tank as to try to establish a baseline of readings and am receiving the same kind of results.  When I did my testing, I received a reading of dKH of 16 and 5.62 meq/L.  Is that high or low or close to the money?  If I am reading this thread correctly then my alk is lower than it should be.  Could it be the test?  I have the Red Sea testing kit that does PH, Alk, Ammonia, Nitrate, and Nitrite.  Could the result cards be reading wrong?  All of my other readings seem to be around the "normal" area.  Ph is 8.2-8.3, Nitrates are reading around 3 and SG is 1.022.  All I have in the tank right now is some live coral and sand to establish the bacteria needed for the pump and corals.
 
Thanks in advance for the help.
]]> Sat, 17 May 2014 07:22:30 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=71029&PID=565600&title=sky-high-kh-dkh#565600 <![CDATA[Sky High KH/DKH : I will have a new post going...]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=71029&PID=563690&title=sky-high-kh-dkh#563690 Author: aporter360
Subject: 71029
Posted: April 26 2014 at 6:42pm

I will have a new post going soon giving a complete detailed description of my continuing problems, I realized I mixed up the numbers and the dkh and kh in this initial post. Great help though thanks.]]> Sat, 26 Apr 2014 18:42:16 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=71029&PID=563690&title=sky-high-kh-dkh#563690 <![CDATA[Sky High KH/DKH : phys wrote:am i confused here...]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=71029&PID=563641&title=sky-high-kh-dkh#563641 Author: sabeypets
Subject: 71029
Posted: April 26 2014 at 1:11am

Originally posted by phys phys wrote:

am i confused here or are you? KH is simply carbonate hardness while dKH is a measurment of it. Your dKH should be around 9 for hard corals and 7-8 for fish only systems.


Carbonate hardness, or carbonate alkalinity is a measure of the alkalinity of water caused by the presence of carbonate (CO2−
3) and bicarbonate (HCO−
3) anions. Carbonate hardness is usually expressed either as parts per million (ppm or mg/L), or in degree KH (dKH) (from the German "Karbonathärte").
 
I'm confused also, a reading of KH (dKH) 14 is to high and KH (dKH) 5 is to low.



Edited by sabeypets - April 26 2014 at 1:17am]]> Sat, 26 Apr 2014 01:11:38 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=71029&PID=563641&title=sky-high-kh-dkh#563641 <![CDATA[Sky High KH/DKH : pilotx44 wrote:that&#039;s...]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=71029&PID=563640&title=sky-high-kh-dkh#563640 Author: sabeypets
Subject: 71029
Posted: April 26 2014 at 1:07am

Originally posted by pilotx44 pilotx44 wrote:

that's what I plan on doing nowSmile again are there any concerns or side effects of a high alk like coralline algae not growing or corals not growing? cause I cant seen to grow coralline algae, and im trying to stay away from purple up. also in my normal testing, every other measurement seemed to be good except alk so maybe I will find the solution now
 

 Coraline algae usually takes around 6 months to start growing in a new system.
 From a chemical standpoint there exists an incompatibility between high dKH (alkalinity or buffer) levels and high calcium (Ca++) levels. Both cannot chemically co-exist. Whenever the dKH or alkalinity starts to rise, the calcium concentration will either go down or, you will have a very difficult time raising your calcium levels to the concentrations you want in your reef tank for good coral health (around 450 ppm ). If your dKH is presently too high (e.g. 12 or an even higher dKH) you can safely reduce it by performing SMALL water changes with water that has a lower dKH. Stability is one of the most important parameters in any saltwater system,  changes must be made SLOWLY (unless its an emergency, heater stuck on water reads 93F, anemone went through power head and water is cloudy, ect.)   ]]> Sat, 26 Apr 2014 01:07:34 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=71029&PID=563640&title=sky-high-kh-dkh#563640 <![CDATA[Sky High KH/DKH : I wouldn&#039;t worry about testing...]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=71029&PID=563611&title=sky-high-kh-dkh#563611 Author: Bryce
Subject: 71029
Posted: April 25 2014 at 3:25pm

I wouldn't worry about testing mag in a 20 gallon system (maybe 15 gallon if you take into account your rock/sand/equipment water displacement), if you even do small water changes once a month your mag is going to be fine, if you have a lot of precipitation (white clouds/white build up on your equipment, especially equipment that gets hot), then I would think you would have low mag as thats a sign your alk and calc are binding together due to the low mag and you might want to test. DkH of 14 is too high in my opinion, especially in a low nutrient system but you didn't say your running a low nutrient system but I would target the 9-10 range as in my opinion while other ranges may be "ok" your on the fringe of safety so I shoot for the middle...the ocean is typically 7 dkh for what its worth.

Edited by Bryce - April 25 2014 at 3:29pm]]> Fri, 25 Apr 2014 15:25:33 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=71029&PID=563611&title=sky-high-kh-dkh#563611 <![CDATA[Sky High KH/DKH : Magnesium is something I haven&#039;t...]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=71029&PID=563598&title=sky-high-kh-dkh#563598 Author: aporter360
Subject: 71029
Posted: April 25 2014 at 2:17pm

Magnesium is something I haven't tested yet. I probably should get a kit but I don't have the money right now for another test kit. Especially the accurate ones that run quite pricey. Anyone have an extra for real cheap or willing to part with it?]]> Fri, 25 Apr 2014 14:17:16 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=71029&PID=563598&title=sky-high-kh-dkh#563598 <![CDATA[Sky High KH/DKH : Make sure you have some rock with...]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=71029&PID=563596&title=sky-high-kh-dkh#563596 Author: LakeCityReefs
Subject: 71029
Posted: April 25 2014 at 2:13pm

Make sure you have some rock with Coraline already on it. The more the better. This will seed it into your system. It tokeeps 6 weeks before I saw coral unexpected spots on my 55s glass but I had about 30 lbs of coraline covered rock to seed it. After 3 months it relay started growing on the pumps and everything else.

DKH of 14 is pretty high but still seems OK. What I found is that if my DKH or Calcium was out of balance then I would see a lot of salt creep. I think that you want to aim for a balance of 10 DKH and 440 Calcium. Your Magnesium should settle around 1300-1350. ]]> Fri, 25 Apr 2014 14:13:18 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=71029&PID=563596&title=sky-high-kh-dkh#563596