ALK Sky High!!!!

[banditpowdercoat]

just did water samples on my tanks., All are good except Alk on the 150. The Salfert test show's 16
Params are

Sg 1.025
PH 8.3
Po4 Undetectable
Ca 345
Mg 1200
Alk 16+

I acctually did not get a reading with one syringe, It took 3 drops of the 2nd syringe to get the Alk to change color. My other tanks are hovering around 8-8.3 so I know the kit is OK. I checked it twice, same reading too. What gives? Can it really be that high? what brings Alk down?

[mark]

water changes and if you have a Ca reactor, turn it off.

I've spiked my tank a couple of time when first setting up my reactor (lesson, reactors are to maintain lvls not raise then) to 15 dKH, didn't see much problems other than I think the Xenia didn't like it much.

[banditpowdercoat]

No reactor, Just a Phos canister. No fish or corals yet either. Well, a couple little Mushrooms that survives a month in the tote bath

[mark]

well looking like no worries since not stocked.

same salt mix as used in other tanks?

[banditpowdercoat]

Ya, same salt mix. I was kinda hoping for a rapid cycle in this tank, so far, other than Alk, everyhting looks good.

[Myka]

I suppose you're not dosing anything yet? What salt are you using?

I remember my tank spiked up to 18+ dKH a couple years back, and some of the corals were stressed, but a couple water changes brought it down.

[banditpowdercoat]

No dosing, just IO salt. never checked it before I made the water, Just dumped whole bucket into tank and filled.... LOL fasted bucket of salt I've used yet.

[fishytime]

Do a search on vinegar...that will bring it down....not sure on how much to dose tho.

[deep6er]

Slowly dose Calcium. that will bring it down.

[Myka]

Hmmm, ya if you haven't dosed any calcium or magnesium to make up for the low readings of the IO, I would do that, and see how it the alkalinity is after that. Or is this going to be a FOWLR?