Reef Chemistry - my alk is high

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my alk is high

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Forum Name: Reef Chemistry
Forum Description: A place to discuss reef chemistry.
URL: http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=60446
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Topic: my alk is high

Posted By: bentley21
Subject: my alk is high
Date Posted: November 26 2012 at 12:25am

my alk is at 15. i use oceanic and don't dose anything. everything else reads where they should be. what to about my alk?

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150 gallon MIXED REEF
T5
http://www.miniurl.com/s/7tQ
<a href="Thttp://www.miniurl.com/s/7tQ" rel="nofollow">My Tank Tread</a>

Replies:

Posted By: WhiteReef
Date Posted: November 26 2012 at 9:21am

If you are not dosing anything that raises Alk, check your calcium as it probably is really low. Other than that, I would suggest having someone else test your Alk as you might be getting a bad reading.

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Richard

Former 47G Column Reef, Magna
20" x 18" x 31"H

Posted By: Teknik777
Date Posted: November 26 2012 at 11:37am

Oceanic salt is known for high calcium and low alk. How are you testing your salinity and other parameters? What specific gravity are you mixing your fresh salt water to? Are you adding/dosing anything to the tank?

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220 G SPS Display.

Posted By: Sculpin
Date Posted: November 26 2012 at 12:28pm

What is your PH, Calcium, and Magnesium? All of these play a part with Alk and could help explain why your alk is high.

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225 Reef (not really mine but i act like it is)

29 Biocube

http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=45353" rel="nofollow - My Whole House System Build

Posted By: bentley21
Date Posted: November 26 2012 at 12:34pm

I had it tested twice. here what I got

nitrate 50

ALK 15

MAG 1470

CAL 500

salinity 1.022

PH 7.9

I go to a lfs to get my water tested.

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150 gallon MIXED REEF
T5
http://www.miniurl.com/s/7tQ
<a href="Thttp://www.miniurl.com/s/7tQ" rel="nofollow">My Tank Tread</a>

Posted By: bentley21
Date Posted: November 26 2012 at 12:36pm

I dont dose anything for alk.

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150 gallon MIXED REEF
T5
http://www.miniurl.com/s/7tQ
<a href="Thttp://www.miniurl.com/s/7tQ" rel="nofollow">My Tank Tread</a>

Posted By: Sculpin
Date Posted: November 26 2012 at 1:18pm

Are you running a calcium reactor or Kalk reactor? Have you dosed anything for Calcium (like ken'ts Tech CB buffer)? Have you seen any negative effects in your coral since the alk has been high? Also, has the Alk been steadily increasing?

I've run into the same thing myself every so often. Normally it goes away over time or balances it's self out (I don't really know). I've never noticed any ill effects from my coral so I don't worry about it. However if you are worried about it, do a water change with some low alk/ca salt mix.

One theory that I herd is that some coral uses calcium more than they do alk causing the tank to slowly increase in it's alk readings. I don't know if that is true but I suppose it could be possible.

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225 Reef (not really mine but i act like it is)

29 Biocube

http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=45353" rel="nofollow - My Whole House System Build

Posted By: badfinger
Date Posted: November 26 2012 at 4:39pm

Where do you live? Maybe someone around you could test it for you. I live in murray/taylorsville area and would be more then happy to test it for you if you live close and want to swing by

Posted By: phys
Date Posted: November 26 2012 at 4:42pm

do you use RO water? Check your source water for your mix even if it is RO. You may have alk in it that's making it high.

Posted By: bentley21
Date Posted: November 26 2012 at 5:16pm

Ya i have lost half of my war coral and one head of my hammer. I do use RO water. I have a 5 stage unit I got form BRS. Im going to do a 30 gallon water change. ill check my MIX before i do the change and see what it reads.

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150 gallon MIXED REEF
T5
http://www.miniurl.com/s/7tQ
<a href="Thttp://www.miniurl.com/s/7tQ" rel="nofollow">My Tank Tread</a>

Posted By: phys
Date Posted: November 26 2012 at 5:35pm

test your unmixed fresh water first.. You may need a new filter?

Posted By: phys
Date Posted: November 26 2012 at 5:36pm

also, dont be too quick wirlth the change... The big change in all may cause havoc too. Go slow and check between changes.

Posted By: bentley21
Date Posted: November 26 2012 at 5:37pm

Ok ill do that as well. thanks

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150 gallon MIXED REEF
T5
http://www.miniurl.com/s/7tQ
<a href="Thttp://www.miniurl.com/s/7tQ" rel="nofollow">My Tank Tread</a>

Posted By: bentley21
Date Posted: November 26 2012 at 5:39pm

i have always have wondered is it bad to change to much water in one month?

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150 gallon MIXED REEF
T5
http://www.miniurl.com/s/7tQ
<a href="Thttp://www.miniurl.com/s/7tQ" rel="nofollow">My Tank Tread</a>

Posted By: badfinger
Date Posted: November 26 2012 at 6:37pm

Where do you live, maybe someone can test your water with a "dependable" test kit.

Posted By: DLindquist
Date Posted: November 26 2012 at 6:49pm

If you're interested, I'd be happy to retest your water. I'm in Lehi.

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A government strong enough to give you everything you want, is powerful enough to take everything you have.

Posted By: bentley21
Date Posted: November 26 2012 at 11:32pm

I got my salt mix tested and my RO water. my salt mix Alk was at 11 and just the RO Alk was less than 1

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150 gallon MIXED REEF
T5
http://www.miniurl.com/s/7tQ
<a href="Thttp://www.miniurl.com/s/7tQ" rel="nofollow">My Tank Tread</a>

Posted By: badfinger
Date Posted: November 27 2012 at 12:10am

We are talking about your tank parameters getting tested...

Posted By: Sculpin
Date Posted: November 27 2012 at 8:19am

Currently I've got a similar problem. After doing a bit of research I was directed to this link and found it very useful. This should answer your questions.

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2002/11/chemistry" rel="nofollow - http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2002/11/chemistry

Micah

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225 Reef (not really mine but i act like it is)

29 Biocube

http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=45353" rel="nofollow - My Whole House System Build

Posted By: bentley21
Date Posted: November 27 2012 at 1:33pm

thanks ill make sure to read it.

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150 gallon MIXED REEF
T5
http://www.miniurl.com/s/7tQ
<a href="Thttp://www.miniurl.com/s/7tQ" rel="nofollow">My Tank Tread</a>