FirstContact
Active Member
I am using Instant Ocean on SPS in QT. Instant Ocean has a dKH of about 12 and I understand a lot of SPS keepers shoot for 8. Is there a quick solution to this? Or just stick to 12 dKH?
New to SPS dKH 12?
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Monroereef
Well-Known Member
12 is high. You need to bring it down. Around 9 is perfect. What is your calcium? How big is the system?
Something is definitely off, you are either not using the original instant ocean, maybe you are using reef crystals which has a higher alkalinity? Or possibly your refractor meter or whatever you used to measure the salinity is not calibrated/off target.
Instant ocean is about 8 after being mixed
Instant ocean is about 8 after being mixed
Impressive pics love the reef man
tiggs
Active Member
12 dkh is definitely high for regular IO salt. Even RC typically mixes at around 10.5-11 for me consistently. One thing worth mentioning is if a bucket/box of salt has sat for a long period of time, the different elements can settle and the end result is inconsistent mixing batches. Personally, I shake up my salt prior to mixing it each week and the batch results are much more consistent.
As for 12 dkh being too high, that completely depends on your nutrient levels. Many SPS keepers that run higher nutrient level systems keep their alk around 11-12, so they get better growth. This only works at certain levels though. If you run an ULNS, having your alk this high will cause browning and/or burnt tips. In other words, it's not so much that you're targeting a certain number/range for dkh alone. It's that you're targeting a certain number/range of dkh based on whatever your PO3/PO4 levels are. So 12 could either be way too high or absolutely ideal.
As for 12 dkh being too high, that completely depends on your nutrient levels. Many SPS keepers that run higher nutrient level systems keep their alk around 11-12, so they get better growth. This only works at certain levels though. If you run an ULNS, having your alk this high will cause browning and/or burnt tips. In other words, it's not so much that you're targeting a certain number/range for dkh alone. It's that you're targeting a certain number/range of dkh based on whatever your PO3/PO4 levels are. So 12 could either be way too high or absolutely ideal.
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FirstContact
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I would agree with everything in there. That being said, I use RC. My mag sits at 1600 to 1700. CRAZY HIGH right? I have lost some inverts to the high mag but my tank still grows SPS. Quite well actually. My dkh sits 9.5 to 10 typically. I do use Kalkwasser because my calcium sits between 425 and 465 and if I didn't use kalk or dose something it would drop too low.
Scorpius
2500 Club Member
There's a lot that goes into what your alkalinity should be. What works for one tank is a disaster for another. Just picking numbers out of thin air is pointless and counter productive.
Use some hydrochloric acid, found at Lowe’s or Home Depot, to drop you new water change water dkh down to 7 or something. Then let the water aerate until the pH comes back up. Use this method to SLOWLY bring your dkh back down.
I forget the amount of acid needed, but it’s something like 1mL per 4g of water.
Just to clarify, DONT add acid to your display tank, add to your new water change water. Also should mention tbat HCL is very dangerous so do this outside as it is usually fuming at these concentrations.
I forget the amount of acid needed, but it’s something like 1mL per 4g of water.
Just to clarify, DONT add acid to your display tank, add to your new water change water. Also should mention tbat HCL is very dangerous so do this outside as it is usually fuming at these concentrations.
BigJim
Well-Known Member
It is actually sold as muriatic acid. It is basically diluted hydrochloric acid. Definitely read up on the safety precautions because it can be dangerous as Mattrg02 said.
Monroereef
Well-Known Member
I am more interested to know what test kit he used to measure the alk? Still waiting to hear back on his Ca reading and tank size.
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