KH Reading
 

If my KH reading is unusually high, how do I lower the alkalinity?

Hello,

How did you get the reading high? Water changes would do.

Titus

Re: KH Reading
 

What is "high", and which brand of kit are you using?

KH Reading
 

I've used both a Salifert and Hagen kit, both of which have readings right off the map....the hagen reading indicated 210

The Hagen isn't trustworthy in my opinion, and the Salifert doesn't go "off the map". Using the Salifert, continue adding drops until you get a color change, even if you need more than one syringe of reagent. Then add the total and determine the dKh or mEq/l values.

KH Reading
 

Using the Salifert, my KH value is 15.4 and Alkalinity is 5.49.......way too high. How to I get them cloer to normal? Water changes?

Yes, I would do water changes. Monitor your Ca and alk over a few changes to make sure you don't change things too quickly.
Any idea how it got that high?

KH Reading
 

My own stupidity really....on someone's advice I starting adding buffer to the water trying to get my PH to 8.3. I have a feeling that's what led to this and other problems (I lost 2 fire shrimp in the process)

Well, that's easy to fix then. Water changes will work well. And as long as your pH is steady somewhere between 8.0 and 8.4, you'll be fine.

KH Reading
 

Thansk for the advice!!!