High ALK 14-17 & 20

[dKNzt]

So I tested yesterday and got 14.5.. Retested and my Hannah would give out 20.. I thought maybe the battery is wrong so I changed that and the same result came up.. Checked my Reagent and it was expired by 1 month... So I decided to take some water to my LFS and they tested my water and got a 17.2 result.

I figured I do another big water change (50G in my 120G Tank with a 20G High Sump)

I have mixed 2 30G Trash cans with Fritz blue box salt for about 2-2.5 hours and I just tested the new fresh water barrel and my Hannah is still giving me 20.0 ALK

What is the issue?? I don't dose my tank with nothing but some AB+ every other day or so.. I just did a water change prior about 2 weeks ago.

The only issues I am having as far as water params is high Nitrates (Over feeding) and the high ALK. Everything else is okay.

 

[dKNzt]

I'm wondering if its my Tap Water in my apartment causing this? I'm not sure if the Hannah will accurately test fresh water but yesterday I tried to test the ALK from the sink and it was high.

 

[killer2001]

It's 100% your tap water then lol.

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

I'm wondering if its my Tap Water in my apartment causing this? I'm not sure if the Hannah will accurately test fresh water but yesterday I tried to test the ALK from the sink and it was high.

You can get an inexpensive freshwater alk test kit for your tap water (are you filtering the tap through RODI?) or have your LFS test your tap...

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

I'm wondering if its my Tap Water in my apartment causing this? I'm not sure if the Hannah will accurately test fresh water but yesterday I tried to test the ALK from the sink and it was high.

Keep an eye on the black Friday sales and get an RODI... Will eliminate a lot of problems

 

[dKNzt]

It's 100% your tap water then lol.

The Hannah will work accurately with fresh water? My SPS that I have in my tank have been fine for 3 weeks its only last week I just noticed 2 were having issues

 

[dKNzt]

Keep an eye on the black Friday sales and get an RODI... Will eliminate a lot of problems

I probably will need to get one. I haven't had to use one for 2 years until I guess this new apartment I'm in has crappier water.

Anything I can do until then to lower this down?

 

[dKNzt]

You can get an inexpensive freshwater alk test kit for your tap water (are you filtering the tap through RODI?) or have your LFS test your tap...

I am not but I am going to take some fresh water in tomorrow. I'm just trying to find a solution now to fix this issue in the mean time.

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

I probably will need to get one. I haven't had to use one for 2 years until I guess this new apartment I'm in has crappier water.

Anything I can do until then to lower this down?

Buy RODI water from your LFS, or at least distilled from the grocery store...
Or, you can add an acid to your new saltwater to lower the alk...

But do remember that rapid parameter swings are often worse than an "abnormal" level. Lower the alk slowly via water changes. The general rule of thumb is to raise or lower by no more than roughly 1 dkh per day.

 

[mdb_talon]

Large water changes with rodi water and a low alkalinity salt is the best bet. Things like acids can lower alkalinity but it is very temporary and is going to swing your alk and pH up and down as you keep adding more to keep it lower

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

Large water changes with rodi water and a low alkalinity salt is the best bet. Things like acids can lower alkalinity but it is very temporary and is going to swing your alk and pH up and down as you keep adding more to keep it lower

Very true, but he asked for a temporary solution...

 

[mdb_talon]

Very true, but he asked for a temporary solution...

Ya. I was just trying to talk him out of it lol

 

[dKNzt]

Ya. I was just trying to talk him out of it lol

I feel you, I was just searching for a temp solution to try and save 2 of my SPS but it seems like they've gone to far gone.

Going to buy a RODI today.

Thanks all for the quick responses.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Tap water can have as much alk as actual seawater, so mixing salt mix into that tap water can double the intended alk.

 

[dKNzt]

E

Tap water can have as much alk as actual seawater, so mixing salt mix into that tap water can double the intended alk.

Heh know I know rookie mistake not knowing about ALK in Tap. I bought an ICECAP Rodi system though. Just drilled one of my trashcans for the float valve. I just need to hit up home depot for longer line tubing to run it from my kitchen outside to my patio.