Alkaline issues

[40ways2doit]

Im running a sunsun 370 canister with UV light on , with bio balls , ceramic tubes, phosguard by fluval and mechanical filter sponge( blue one ) and polishing pad. White one. Temp is 77, using quantum sps and mixing to the instructions gives you alk around 8 and ph at 8.3 cal 410-420 mag 1250-1300. Ive done multiple 25% water changes and my alk is still at almost 12. Is there something i should be checking besides water? 2 corals already died and im stafting to wonder . I have 4 fish and clove polys, and a mushroom and a goni which all look fine. Tips appreciated thx

 

[gbroadbridge]

Im running a sunsun 370 canister with UV light on , with bio balls , ceramic tubes, phosguard by fluval and mechanical filter sponge( blue one ) and polishing pad. White one. Temp is 77, using quantum sps and mixing to the instructions gives you alk around 8 and ph at 8.3 cal 410-420 mag 1250-1300. Ive done multiple 25% water changes and my alk is still at almost 12. Is there something i should be checking besides water? 2 corals already died and im stafting to wonder . I have 4 fish and clove polys, and a mushroom and a goni which all look fine. Tips appreciated thx

If your Alkalinity is high after mixing it normally means your Salinity is too high.

How are you measuring Salinity?

 

[40ways2doit]

Hydrometer 1.025-.26 right in the middly

 

[40ways2doit]

If your Alkalinity is high after mixing it normally means your Salinity is too high.

How are you measuring Salinity?

1.025 -1.026 right in the middle

 

[gbroadbridge]

1.025 -1.026 right in the middle

If you have checked the calibration of the salinity tester, then I would get the Alkalinity tested by an LFS or with a different test kit.

 

[EricR]

Is the alkalinity in your newly mixed saltwater testing high as well or does that test as expected (8ish dKH) and it's only your tank that is testing high?

 

[40ways2doit]

Is the alkalinity in your newly mixed saltwater testing high as well or does that test as expected (8ish dKH) and it's only your tank that is testing high?

Yes only the tank is testing high.

 

[EricR]

Yes only the tank is testing high.

I recently started having an issue with alkalinity rising with no dosing. Seems to not be unheard of.

If you're up for some reading, below are a couple of threads that may be of interest:

Alkalinity Rising

Sodium Bisulfate to Reduce Alkalinity

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

What sort of "ceramic tubes"?

Any cement or artificial rock products? Those can boost alk and pH.

 

[40ways2doit]

What sort of "ceramic tubes"?

Any cement or artificial rock products? Those can boost alk and pH.

so im using artificial rock and thats whats leading me to believe the super rise in alkalinity. Ph is stable at 8.0-8.3 but the alk hit almost 16. Its goona take alot of soaking time for these rocks to stabilize i assume even though there are real reef rocks they probably are new

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

FWIW, you can either very slowly add an acid to the tank to lower alk, or drop the alk in water change water as low as you want.

Sodium Bisulfate to Reduce Alkalinity in New Salt Water or in Display Tanks

I just want to record these calculations in their own thread to refer back to in other threads. When alkalinity is too high in new salt water or in a display tank, acid can be used to lower the alkalinity. You can easily use muriatic acid (hydrochloric acid), or sodium bifulfate (e.g...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[40ways2doit]

FWIW, you can either very slowly add an acid to the tank to lower alk, or drop the alk in water change water as low as you want.

Sodium Bisulfate to Reduce Alkalinity in New Salt Water or in Display Tanks

I just want to record these calculations in their own thread to refer back to in other threads. When alkalinity is too high in new salt water or in a display tank, acid can be used to lower the alkalinity. You can easily use muriatic acid (hydrochloric acid), or sodium bifulfate (e.g...

www.reef2reef.com

That will raise the ph?

 

[40ways2doit]

That will raise the ph?

Actually that will lower the ph if science is real

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Actually that will lower the ph if science is real

Of course science is real. lol

Yes, it lowers pH, and lowers alkalinity.

You won't find any chemical additive that can both raise pH and lower alkalinity.