Alk Reading 4.5

[Reamer27]

Tested my parameters and my alk is reading 4.5. Using the aquaforest test kit for alk and salifert for the others. My salt is the aquaforest reef mix. I tested the alk for the water I used for my wc and it read 6 for alk. I have 3 zoa frags and 1 hammer currently.

Ph is 7.8
Alk 4.5
Calcium 390
Mag 1400
Salinity 1.026

Whats the best approach to raise the alk

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

What salt mix are you using that measured 6 dKH? None should at 35 ppt salinity. You may have a test issue, not a low alk issue.

 

[Reamer27]

What salt mix are you using that measured 6 dKH? None should at 35 ppt salinity. You may have a test issue, not a low alk issue.

It's the aquaforest reef salt. I went and got a different test kit and the salt mix read at 8dkh and my tank measured 6dkh.

 

[Fish Fan]

Tested my parameters and my alk is reading 4.5. Using the aquaforest test kit for alk and salifert for the others. My salt is the aquaforest reef mix. I tested the alk for the water I used for my wc and it read 6 for alk. I have 3 zoa frags and 1 hammer currently.

Ph is 7.8
Alk 4.5
Calcium 390
Mag 1400
Salinity 1.026

Whats the best approach to raise the alk

At 35 ppt or 1.026 SG AquaForrest Reef Salt should mix to 7.7 to 8.3 dKH:

As Randy mentioned, this could be test kit error. I'd add that I think you should double check the calibration on your refractometer. Here's Randy's article on making your own salinity calibration standard solution using just ordinary Morton's table salt and a decent kitchen scale or even measuring spoons:
https://www.reef2reef.com/ams/reef-aquarium-salinity-diy-calibration-standards.956/
Good luck!

 

[Reamer27]

I borrowed a test kit from someone and am reading 6.3 on dkh. I checked the calibration of the refractometer and its accurate. So im chalking this down to a bad test kit and the salt batch mixing lower than its supposed to. Should I try raising it slightly with baking soda?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Baking soda is fine for a one time boost. Longer term I’d look for a balanced alk and calcium addition method of some sort (there are many).

 

[Fish Fan]

Baking soda is fine for a one time boost. Longer term I’d look for a balanced alk and calcium addition method of some sort (there are many).

I'm sorry to ask, but are you confident that the OP's numbers are reliable and warrant dosing baking soda? I am concerned that this is testing error, and I would have thought that you'd think the same. The OP did mention that they are using AquaForest Reef Salt, which should mix to at least 7.7 dKH at 35 ppt, and if not, wouldn't you think this is possibly a low salinity issue? The OP's calcium is lower than what AquaForest Reef Salt should mix to as well; please note the pic I posted above from AquaForest.

I'm genuinely curious; thank you for your help, as always!

 

[ReneReef]

I'm sorry to ask, but are you confident that the OP's numbers are reliable and warrant dosing baking soda? I am concerned that this is testing error, and I would have thought that you'd think the same. The OP did mention that they are using AquaForest Reef Salt, which should mix to at least 7.7 dKH at 35 ppt, and if not, wouldn't you think this is possibly a low salinity issue? The OP's calcium is lower than what AquaForest Reef Salt should mix to as well; please note the pic I posted above from AquaForest.

I'm genuinely curious; thank you for your help, as always!

I totally agree that at this point resting error is waaaaaaayyyyyyy more liekly, than a salt anomaly.

@Reamer27 how much salt (weight) did you add to what volume of water to achieve 35‰?

 

[Reamer27]

I totally agree that at this point resting error is waaaaaaayyyyyyy more liekly, than a salt anomaly.

@Reamer27 how much salt (weight) did you add to what volume of water to achieve 35‰?

I just mixed it into 2.5 gallons rodi until it read 1.026. The refractometer is calibrated. Im wondering if I didnt shake the bag of salt well enough and it wasn't evenly mixed. Im confident in the alk reading at 6.3dkh and my ph slightly lowered from last test. My mag is about where it seems like it should be for the salt mix but the calcium is also slightly low so.

 

[Euphylliaphyle]

I just mixed it into 2.5 gallons rodi until it read 1.026. The refractometer is calibrated. Im wondering if I didnt shake the bag of salt well enough and it wasn't evenly mixed. Im confident in the alk reading at 6.3dkh and my ph slightly lowered from last test. My mag is about where it seems like it should be for the salt mix but the calcium is also slightly low so.

Is your refractometer calibrated at the same temperature as your salt water mix?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I'm sorry to ask, but are you confident that the OP's numbers are reliable and warrant dosing baking soda? I am concerned that this is testing error, and I would have thought that you'd think the same. The OP did mention that they are using AquaForest Reef Salt, which should mix to at least 7.7 dKH at 35 ppt, and if not, wouldn't you think this is possibly a low salinity issue? The OP's calcium is lower than what AquaForest Reef Salt should mix to as well; please note the pic I posted above from AquaForest.

I'm genuinely curious; thank you for your help, as always!

Perhaps I misunderstood, but I thought he did determine the 4.5 dKH test was an error and is really at a more realistic 6.3 dKH with a borrowed kit (post 5).

 

[Reamer27]

Is your refractometer calibrated at the same temperature as your salt water mix?

Yes.

 

[Reamer27]

When I tested the water for the wc the alk read 6. Im assuming it is logical to say that it really would've read around 7.5 with the other test kit assuming the tank alk jumped by 1.8 with the different test kit. This then leads me to believe it was a issue prior to wc that I just caught. Im wondering if its smarter to dry and dose the alk and calcium up or do multiple water changes to try and bring it up?

 

[Euphylliaphyle]

When I tested the water for the wc the alk read 6. Im assuming it is logical to say that it really would've read around 7.5 with the other test kit assuming the tank alk jumped by 1.8 with the different test kit. This then leads me to believe it was a issue prior to wc that I just caught. Im wondering if its smarter to dry and dose the alk and calcium up or do multiple water changes to try and bring it up?

I'd be inclined to do wc. Dosing demands at least somewhat accurate testing. Wc would take test error out of the equation. Until you have a handle on your test problem and fix it, wc seems the safer way to go.

 

[Fish Fan]

Perhaps I misunderstood, but I thought he did determine the 4.5 dKH test was an error and is really at a more realistic 6.3 dKH with a borrowed kit (post 5).

I did miss where the OP tried a different test kit

Thank you for your help!

 

[Reamer27]

I'd be inclined to do wc. Dosing demands at least somewhat accurate testing. Wc would take test error out of the equation. Until you have a handle on your test problem and fix it, wc seems the safer way to go.

Ok I'll try thar out then!

 

[Mathnes]

Ditch the salt, I had the exact same problem with this salt. I always got low and inconsistent readings.

 

[Reamer27]

Ditch the salt, I had the exact same problem with this salt. I always got low and inconsistent readings.

Ok I will do that. Is there a specific salt mix you recommend? Also how often should I do a wc to get the parameters in check without shocking the system?

 

[Troylee]

Ok I will do that. Is there a specific salt mix you recommend? Also how often should I do a wc to get the parameters in check without shocking the system?

It really sounds like low salinity. What tester are you using to check salinity?

 

[Reamer27]

It really sounds like low salinity. What tester are you using to check salinity?

Idk the brand but the reading seems right mathematically. The mag being that high and my fish and corals being seemingly happy also makes me think the salinity is good.