16 kh, help

[heller792]

Hi peeps. just done all my tests and i used for the first time a kh test kit. The results are as follows

Nitrit 0
Nitrat 0
Ammonia 0
ph 8.3
salinity 1.025
Calcium 390
Kh 16 (aghhhhhh)

Could someone help with lowering this or if the ph is holding ok is it a case of if it aint broke dont fix it

Cheers Dave

[Lotus99]

I'd check that reading again. Some kits require you to divide the number of drops by two, etc.

If that reading is right, water changes would be the best way to lower it. Also check your makeup water before you add it, just in case that's the source of high alk.

[Longchamp]

Do you dose anything with alk? reef buffer? Whatever it is, stop.

i wouldnt do a huge water change, just do like 10% a few times to get it down.

[heller792]

I was using a reef buffer for my ph but i stopped using it as I now dose Kalk

[Michael]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12616692#post12616692 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by heller792
I was using a reef buffer for my ph but i stopped using it as I now dose Kalk

i doubt that reading is right, however if it is go on the chemistry forum and ask boomer or randy for help

[Aidan]

I had a high alk and low cal once but I dosed 2 part at the time, had to stop dosing Alk for a while. What salt are you using I know some are buffered a bit more than others.

[Playa-1]

You should not have been dosing ALk, Kalk, Ph buffers without first testing your KH and other parameters.
It's a common mistake to chase the ph number. The ideal way to take care of ph is to get the rest of you water parameters such as Calcium, Magnesium, Alkalinity, and good circulation in order. Once you have these in order you should find that the Ph takes care of itself. Ph buffers spike ALK.
Take a little time and check out these articles and I think you will have a better understanding.
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2007-05/rhf/index.php
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/nov2002/chem.htm
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/june2002/chem.htm

[heller792]

My salt is the new D-D one , had probs with the Red Sea reef salt so changed

[Aquarist007]

Kalkwasser is a solution of CaOH that both maintains the kH and the Ca in roughly the same proportion. With your calcium where it is and the much higher dkH then I also suspect that there is a measurement error.
If there truly is an imbalance then it is due to prior dosing of a buffer--most of the time pH problems are due to the levels of carbon dioxide in and around the test. The buffer raises the pH but also the alk. Since you haven't solved the problem causing the lower of pH it quickly falls again but the alk does not.

Assuming it is not the test kit:
I would dose with Kent turbo calcium--it is a chloride so it doesn't raise the alk much, stop the kalk for a while and let the dkH drop on its own.
Once they were where I wanted them then I would use a two part solution like b-ionics or randy's mixture. It will keep the balance between alk and cal and indirectly bring stability to the pH.
If you are concerned about low pH you should also address it as a carbon dioxide problem---crank up your skimmmer and or leave a window open over night.

[heller792]

On wednesday I will be taking delivery of a 400 litre plus sump new aquarium. So if i use the 170 litres in my current tank and then add the remaining 230 litres of new water will it bring my levels back to where they should be . At least this way i can start with decent levels and get it right this time

[heller792]

capn_hylinur I have in my cuboard a tub of Tropic Marin Bio Calcium. I think this is the same stuff as the Kent , if so should i stop using the Kalk right away and keep my calcium levels up using this

[Aquarist007]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12617182#post12617182 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by heller792
On wednesday I will be taking delivery of a 400 litre plus sump new aquarium. So if i use the 170 litres in my current tank and then add the remaining 230 litres of new water will it bring my levels back to where they should be . At least this way i can start with decent levels and get it right this time

I personally would not do it that way---I would use new salt water--depending on the mix this will give you the desired chemistry that you want without having to play dose a little of that and a little of this;)

Here is a link to salt mixes--good comparison

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1287118

[Aquarist007]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12617202#post12617202 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by heller792
capn_hylinur I have in my cuboard a tub of Tropic Marin Bio Calcium. I think this is the same stuff as the Kent , if so should i stop using the Kalk right away and keep my calcium levels up using this

I don't think its the same--its a carbonate--you want a chloride
Carbonates will raise your alkalinity level even more.

[heller792]

Cheers capn

[heller792]

Capn how do I get my top up ro water right without buffers, the ph out of the ro filter is 6ish . This was the only reason i was adding the buffers in the first place.

[jdieck]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12617202#post12617202 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by heller792
capn_hylinur I have in my cuboard a tub of Tropic Marin Bio Calcium. I think this is the same stuff as the Kent , if so should i stop using the Kalk right away and keep my calcium levels up using this
CAUTION: No it is not the same as Kent's. TMBC will also add alkalinity in the amount of 2.8 dKh for every 20 ppm of calcium. Kent Turbocalcium is pure calcium chloride which will only increase the calcium without any alkalinity.

[Aquarist007]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12617508#post12617508 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jdieck
CAUTION: No it is not the same as Kent's. TMBC will also add alkalinity in the amount of 2.8 dKh for every 20 ppm of calcium. Kent Turbocalcium is pure calcium chloride which will only increase the calcium without any alkalinity.

thanks jdieck:thumbsup:

[Aquarist007]

[QUOTE]<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12617467#post12617467 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by heller792
Capn how do I get my top up ro water right without buffers, the ph out of the ro filter is 6ish . This was the only reason i was adding the buffers in the first place. [/QUOTE


its the salt mix that buffers the pH or "gets it right";)

That's why I sent you that link---there is a big difference in calcium and alklanity etc from one salt mix to the other