Need Help With Alkalinity

[Braveheart!]

My Current Numbers

Alkalinity - 14.7 dkh (reef tank is two years old. My Alkalinity was around 9.7 forever)
Calcium - 420 ppm
PH - 7.8 (alway around 7.8)
Salinity - 1.025
Phosphate - .06 (normally .04-.09)
Nitrate - 5 ppm

In the past I added Red sea KH/Alkalinity, but not for a few months

I have dosed Red Sea ab+, but not for several weeks

I run a Carbon bag. (I haven't change in about a month)

I run GFO and change as needed. I do over feed a little

Everything looks good. I do have some white fuzz on my rocks. attached file

Thanks for the help

 

[crazyfishmom]

How do you test for alkalinity?

First suggestion would be to test a fresh batch of salt water and see what you get. Will help us understand where the differential is coming from.

I am going to assume for now that there’s testing error at play because I am sure your corals would be fairly unhappy with alkalinity that high.

 

[Braveheart!]

I tested a new batch it was 9.6

 

[Braveheart!]

I also test new sample of hanna HI772S it was lower but not by much. I did a 15 gallon water change a few days ago and it dropped, bur went back up. FYI, I used a toothbrush to clean my rocks. Hmmmmm

 

[crazyfishmom]

I also test new sample of hanna HI772S it was lower but not by much. I did a 15 gallon water change a few days ago and it dropped, bur went back up. FYI, I used a toothbrush to clean my rocks. Hmmmmm

Odd. I would say do multiple water changes until back to normal; not sure at all what to think!

 

[Braveheart!]

I also test new sample of hanna HI772S it was lower but not by much. I did a 15 gallon water change a few days ago and it dropped, bur went back up. FYI, I used a toothbrush to clean my rocks. Hmmmmm

Thanks

 

[Braveheart!]

Thanks

 

[gbroadbridge]

My Current Numbers

Alkalinity - 14.7 dkh (reef tank is two years old. My Alkalinity was around 9.7 forever)
Calcium - 420 ppm
PH - 7.8 (alway around 7.8)
Salinity - 1.025
Phosphate - .06 (normally .04-.09)
Nitrate - 5 ppm

In the past I added Red sea KH/Alkalinity, but not for a few months

I have dosed Red Sea ab+, but not for several weeks

I run a Carbon bag. (I haven't change in about a month)

I run GFO and change as needed. I do over feed a little

Everything looks good. I do have some white fuzz on my rocks. attached file

Thanks for the help

If you're not dosing anything to the tank, alkalinity could be increasing because of biological consumption of Nitrate.

Perform water changes to lower it - or add more coral to consume it :)

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I tested a new batch it was 9.6

You tested that now with the same exact test kit you used on the tank?

Do you use tap water for anything? It can have more alk than seawater.

 

[Freenow54]

How do you test for alkalinity?

First suggestion would be to test a fresh batch of salt water and see what you get. Will help us understand where the differential is coming from.

I am going to assume for now that there’s testing error at play because I am sure your corals would be fairly unhappy with alkalinity that high.

Like that suggestion They make high alk salt maybe the problem

 

[Braveheart!]

You tested that now with the same exact test kit you used on the tank?

Do you use tap water for anything? It can have more alk than seawater.

Yes the same test kit. No, I don't use any tap water. I did a 10 gallon water change and my reading is 13.2.

 

[Braveheart!]

If you're not dosing anything to the tank, alkalinity could be increasing because of biological consumption of Nitrate.

Perform water changes to lower it - or add more coral to consume it :)

thanks