KH is too high!

idan555 · 11/16/2017, 09:08 AM

Hello everyone,
I test my tank yesturday all parameter show 0, except KH.
KH show 358ppm!!, this is 60g rank that I'm doing 10% water change every week.
After water change I'm buffing my PH to 8.4 with "aquavitro", and calcium if needed per test.
This is a mix tank...
1. I change my water supplier lately (to Petco) you think it can be the problem?
2. Anyone have experience with "aquavitro" product? Are they rise KH by buffing?

Thanks,
Idan.

crawlerman · 11/16/2017, 09:40 AM

I've never used it, but read on another thread that it did raise KH. Wasn't a lot, .3 rise in KH while raising pH .1. I would recommend not chasing pH. Maintain consistent calcium, KH, and mag and you will be fine.

It would be odd if Petco water was that high, but buy a jug and test it. I'd also take a sample to a pet store and have them test it to verify your alkalinity is really that high. If I were to guess I would say faulty testing unless you added a crazy amount of the buffer.

nanosteve309 · 11/16/2017, 09:44 AM

Test the Petco water on its own and see what the kH is.

Shamous113 · 11/16/2017, 10:00 AM

Stop chasing your PH. your adding too much KH and your setting yourself up for a crash. if your concerned that your ph is too low then open a window in the room and let the fresh air in.

nereefpat · 11/16/2017, 10:46 AM

Yep...the pH "buffer" is just an alkalinity booster.

Most of us don't worry about pH.

thegrun · 11/16/2017, 10:52 AM

...and adding alkalinity (pH buffer) only give you a short temporary boost in pH.

mcgyvr · 11/16/2017, 11:12 AM

Just another vote for "Stop messing with PH"..
Don't measure it.. Don't buffer it... Just forget you even know what PH is..
If you have a PH probe stuff it deep in the closet or throw it in the trash..

Its going to be what its going to be and you just cause more problems trying to buffer it and yes the buffer will absolutely cause changes in alkalinity..

hkgar · 11/16/2017, 02:31 PM

Ph is like a spoiled brat - Well it CANNOT be controlled. Well except by lowering theCO2 in the water.DO NOT chase ph with a buffer. IT DOES NOT WORK!!!!!!!!!!!

Most of us around here think of Alk in terms of dKH,here is a converter:

https://www.hamzasreef.com/Contents/...Conversion.php

billdogg · 11/16/2017, 06:22 PM

What does 358ppm equate to in either dKH or meq.L? My Salifert kit measures in those values so just how out of whack are you?

Nevermind - just clicked the link from above. I would think that at that level it would be snowing precipitate in your tank!

Have you tested with another test kit/brand?

idan555 · 11/16/2017, 07:47 PM

I tested today the new water from different store, with same test kit and i got:
7 dKH.
in my tank is 20dKH now.
so what is the next step? water change? how much? 50% is safe?

thegrun · 11/16/2017, 08:59 PM

A 50% water change is a little rough on your livestock but so is alkalinity at 20dKh! I would make the 50% water change which should knock your alkalinity down to around 13dKh, still high but acceptable. From there you might want to make another 25% water change the following week and then just resume your weekly 10% water changes.

11/16/2017, 09:08 AM	#1
idan555 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2017 Posts: 174	KH is too high! Hello everyone, I test my tank yesturday all parameter show 0, except KH. KH show 358ppm!!, this is 60g rank that I'm doing 10% water change every week. After water change I'm buffing my PH to 8.4 with "aquavitro", and calcium if needed per test. This is a mix tank... 1. I change my water supplier lately (to Petco) you think it can be the problem? 2. Anyone have experience with "aquavitro" product? Are they rise KH by buffing? Thanks, Idan.

11/16/2017, 10:00 AM	#4
Shamous113 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 81	Stop chasing your PH. your adding too much KH and your setting yourself up for a crash. if your concerned that your ph is too low then open a window in the room and let the fresh air in. __________________ Current tank: 150gal mixed reef display w/120gal basement sump

11/16/2017, 10:46 AM	#5
nereefpat Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Central Nebraska Posts: 3,190	Yep...the pH "buffer" is just an alkalinity booster. Most of us don't worry about pH. __________________ Pat Current Tank Info: 125 in-wall , 40b sump. 6 bulb T5. ASM G2 skimmer. LPS and leathers

11/16/2017, 11:12 AM	#7
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	Just another vote for "Stop messing with PH".. Don't measure it.. Don't buffer it... Just forget you even know what PH is.. If you have a PH probe stuff it deep in the closet or throw it in the trash.. Its going to be what its going to be and you just cause more problems trying to buffer it and yes the buffer will absolutely cause changes in alkalinity.. __________________ Who me?

11/16/2017, 02:31 PM	#8
hkgar Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Dewitt MI Posts: 5,051	Ph is like a spoiled brat - Well it CANNOT be controlled. Well except by lowering theCO2 in the water.DO NOT chase ph with a buffer. IT DOES NOT WORK!!!!!!!!!!! Most of us around here think of Alk in terms of dKH,here is a converter: https://www.hamzasreef.com/Contents/...Conversion.php __________________ Gary 180 gallon, 40 gallon sump, 3 250 W MH + 4 80W ATI T5's, MTC MVX 36 Skimmer, Apex controller Aquamaxx T-3 CaRx Current Tank Info: A 2 Barred Rabbitfish, Red Head Salon, Yellow/Purple, McMaster Fairy, Possum, 2 Leopard Wrasses, Kole, & Atlantic Blue Tangs, 2 Percula Clown, 3 PJ and 1 Banggai Cardinalfish , Swallowtail, Bellus and Coral Beauty Angels

11/16/2017, 09:40 AM	#2
crawlerman Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 503	I've never used it, but read on another thread that it did raise KH. Wasn't a lot, .3 rise in KH while raising pH .1. I would recommend not chasing pH. Maintain consistent calcium, KH, and mag and you will be fine. It would be odd if Petco water was that high, but buy a jug and test it. I'd also take a sample to a pet store and have them test it to verify your alkalinity is really that high. If I were to guess I would say faulty testing unless you added a crazy amount of the buffer.

11/16/2017, 09:44 AM	#3
nanosteve309 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2017 Posts: 62	Test the Petco water on its own and see what the kH is.

11/16/2017, 10:52 AM	#6
thegrun Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Garden Grove, Ca Posts: 17,023	...and adding alkalinity (pH buffer) only give you a short temporary boost in pH.

11/16/2017, 06:22 PM	#9
billdogg Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Grove City, Ohio Posts: 10,806	What does 358ppm equate to in either dKH or meq.L? My Salifert kit measures in those values so just how out of whack are you? Nevermind - just clicked the link from above. I would think that at that level it would be snowing precipitate in your tank! Have you tested with another test kit/brand? __________________ I'll try to be nice if you try to be smarter! I can't help that I grow older, but you can't make me grow up! Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef with 40b sump, RO 150 skimmer, AI Sol Blue x 2, and a 60g Frag Tank with 100g rubbermaid sump. 2 x Kessil A360w lights, BM curve 5 skimmer

11/16/2017, 07:47 PM	#10
idan555 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2017 Posts: 174	I tested today the new water from different store, with same test kit and i got: 7 dKH. in my tank is 20dKH now. so what is the next step? water change? how much? 50% is safe?

11/16/2017, 08:59 PM	#11
thegrun Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Garden Grove, Ca Posts: 17,023	A 50% water change is a little rough on your livestock but so is alkalinity at 20dKh! I would make the 50% water change which should knock your alkalinity down to around 13dKh, still high but acceptable. From there you might want to make another 25% water change the following week and then just resume your weekly 10% water changes.