Alkalinity dosing gone wrong

[gabom234]

The alkalinity in my 7 month old 35 gallon waterbox had been steadily going down, until it hit 7.0 dkh this past week. I do weekly testing and water changes, so I figured it was time to start dosing alkalinity. I followed the advice on the forums here and tried my hand at making my own soda ash solution following Randy's recipe #1. I must have messed something up either in making it, or in my calculations because after dosing what I thought was the right amount, my alkalinity shot up to 20 dkh over night. I'm a bit concerned as this was a much bigger increase in alkalinity than I was expecting, and I am trying to figure out what my next step should be. I am mixing salt water currently in case it is recommended to do a water change, so any advice is welcomed. I am trying not to stress too much, as my fish and coral look fine for the moment, but I am worried that this could be damaging.

 

[EgotisticObeseChihuahua]

A water change would definitely be advisable. If you do a 50% water change then it should bring your levels down a lot. Is there any ill effects on your tanks inhabitants and have you done any retests to make sure that it is the correct level?

 

[gabom234]

Ok a quick update. I did that test this morning and I was a bit rushed, so I didn't get a chance to really think about it too much or retest. I just tested again, and I got 8.0 dkh, so I am hoping I may have just botched the test this morning somehow. I will likely retest again in the evening just to make sure, but this second test seems to be much more in line with what I was expecting. I'm hoping the crisis was averted, but I will check again tonight to make sure.

 

[bubbgee]

Ok a quick update. I did that test this morning and I was a bit rushed, so I didn't get a chance to really think about it too much or retest. I just tested again, and I got 8.0 dkh, so I am hoping I may have just botched the test this morning somehow. I will likely retest again in the evening just to make sure, but this second test seems to be much more in line with what I was expecting. I'm hoping the crisis was averted, but I will check again tonight to make sure.

It's possible you tested when the entire does hasn't been introduced into the tank and tested against the saturated dose by mistake.