Alkalinity dosing and fish

[kennethgatman]

Hello,
I administered my first dose of alkalinity and calcium last night. The alkalinity was at 8.5 dKH, but when I tested it this morning, it shot up to over 12 dKH, while I aimed for 9 dKH according to the Red Sea test. I used 9 ml of B-ionic based on the BRS alkalinity supplement calculator.

Now, all the fish in my tank are breathing rapidly. Could such a drastic swing in dKH affect their respiration? Should I perform a water change since I only have one coral? I also did some rescaping last night.

Here are the current parameters:

Temperature: 80°F
Salinity: 1.024
pH: 8.4
Ammonia: 0.2 ppm (likely from the rescape; I plan to do a water change)
Nitrite: 0 ppm
Nitrate: 15 ppm (also likely from the rescape; planning a water change)
dKH: +12

 

[vetteguy53081]

Hello,
I administered my first dose of alkalinity and calcium last night. The alkalinity was at 8.5 dKH, but when I tested it this morning, it shot up to over 12 dKH, while I aimed for 9 dKH according to the Red Sea test. I used 9 ml of B-ionic based on the BRS alkalinity supplement calculator.

Now, all the fish in my tank are breathing rapidly. Could such a drastic swing in dKH affect their respiration? Should I perform a water change since I only have one coral? I also did some rescaping last night.

Here are the current parameters:

Temperature: 80°F
Salinity: 1.024
pH: 8.4
Ammonia: 0.2 ppm (likely from the rescape; I plan to do a water change)
Nitrite: 0 ppm
Nitrate: 15 ppm (also likely from the rescape; planning a water change)
dKH: +12

That is a fast increase and precipitation is greatest risk as the sudden rise can affect oxygen levels for fish as well as quick rise in PH which makes the water too alkaline becoming toxic to a degree. Do a major water change and add air stone

@Randy Holmes-Farley

 

[Miami Reef]

Alkalinity dosing and overdoses shouldn’t have any effect to oxygen levels.

 

[get-salty]

Hello from Texas.

Dosing trace elements wont hurt your fish but this will >
Ammonia: 0.2 ppm (likely from the rescape; I plan to do a water change)

even though it is a small amount..
there should be ZERO ammonia.
Increase oxygen by cranking up your flow. for now, aim your pumps towards the surface of the water.

lastly, dosing 9ml of alk into a water parameter that is already at 8.5 (ideal for most corals) is very aggressive having little experience with dosings.

12dkh is fine for now, stop dosing and test it until you see the # drops.

Good luck and happy reefing.

 

[Miami Reef]

Ammonia: 0.2 ppm (likely from the rescape; I plan to do a water change)

Which ammonia test? If API or any test measuring total ammonia, 0.2 ppm is not toxic at all.

 

[Jay Hemdal]

Hello,
I administered my first dose of alkalinity and calcium last night. The alkalinity was at 8.5 dKH, but when I tested it this morning, it shot up to over 12 dKH, while I aimed for 9 dKH according to the Red Sea test. I used 9 ml of B-ionic based on the BRS alkalinity supplement calculator.

Now, all the fish in my tank are breathing rapidly. Could such a drastic swing in dKH affect their respiration? Should I perform a water change since I only have one coral? I also did some rescaping last night.

Here are the current parameters:

Temperature: 80°F
Salinity: 1.024
pH: 8.4
Ammonia: 0.2 ppm (likely from the rescape; I plan to do a water change)
Nitrite: 0 ppm
Nitrate: 15 ppm (also likely from the rescape; planning a water change)
dKH: +12

Welcome to Reef2Reef!

I've never seen changes in alkalinity cause issues like that, not within this range anyway. Do you know the pH level before the supplement was added? Does the tank have good aeration (not just water circulation)? The alkalinity change could be a red herring. Can you post a video of the fish (you tube hosting works well)...