Chemistry

When I test my water parameters - everything looks great...except my Alk is off the charts!  Calc is spot on at 420.  When I use my Alk tester - It takes 30 drops!! (when it normally should be 10).  Not sure what to do to get Alk in line with Calc.  I don't dose anything....just do weekly 10% water changes with Reef Crystals.  I do have BRS 2 part recipe as well as Kalkwasher - neither of which I have had to use yet...any ideas/thoughts?  Thanks!
Jason

 

I would start with getting your Mag checked. 30 drops is crazy, try a different test kit.

 

Are you using RO/DI water? The alkalinity of my tap water is 20+.

 

Yep, I use RODI. I might take a sample into ACC and see what's up. I need to get a mag tester too.

 

I agree with Mike, try a different test kit. Do you mix up the salt before using it as salt can tend to settle out and throw off a param. As long as your CA and Mag are within norm, you can just let the Alk get back within range from normal WC's. You might want to consider using a salt which has lower levels until your tank needs higher. I believe it's Reefkeeping Magazine (online) where Randy Holmes-Farley has a few articles on Ca, Alk and Mag which you might want to read Jason. Maybe someone can post the link...if not, just do a search there using Randy's name and you should find it :-0)

 

Is there something in your tank that doesn't look good? I ask because I feel we sometimes get stuck on chemistry and test kits rather than just looking at our tanks. If everything looks fine, don't fight it! Don;t worry, be happy! /DesktopModules/ActiveForums/themes/_default//emoticons/smile.gif

 

Make sure to mix well after a drop is added and wait a second. You can sometimes miss the color change, if you go too quickly, then you keep adding drops and it gets messed up......how old is the test? I would definitely take it in and have someone else test it and see what they come up with.

 

Tank looks pretty good. Some (not all) of my zoas are starting to wilt or won't open but acans and other lps look good. The few SPS appear to be okay. I will take water sample in Monday to ACC and see what they show. I use API Reef test kit I purchased about 4 months ago.

 

I couldn't agree more with you Bela!This very subject came up one day at the store, and I feel some people use way more chemicals then is really needed.

 

http://archive.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=102605

 

I would switch to regular instant ocean salt for awhile reef crystals has crazy high alk levels and unless you have a lot of sps corals regular instant ocean will be good enough

 

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2002/11/chemistry This should help :=0)