Alkalinty and calcium ???

he was at 11.98 when the thread started, he has got it to 17 inside 20 mins, what is he dosing?

Steve

 

Incorrect, I posted is was way above 214, I could only say above 214 because that's as high as API test kit says, which is 12 drops, I then posted 17 drops because I don't know what that level is. I never once said I was at 12 exactly.

 

OK, thanks

but how have you achieved that level of DKH? are you dosing something?

Steve

 

I see where Steve is headed, and I agree. 17 doesn't seem possible. I'd have a LFS double check that before I did anything drastic.

 

Just for some input...I am currently reading 580+ Calcium and 14 Alk using the API test kits. I have 2 API Nitrate kits, and one says 20, the other reads 0. Could be the test kits. I dose nothing...just Reef Crystals and RODI. Santa is bringing me some Salifert for Xmas.

 

exactly

when it was 12 - I was fine , 12 is common

17 on the other hand, you got to be taking deliberate action to get anything like that number IMO

Steve

 

I'm thinking it's the test kit. I have not been dosing with anything. The test kit is a year old.

 

I think I will go with a water change and see what the test kit says again, but I think I'm in need of new kits.

 

good thinking Still -a-Newb

I suggest Salifert kit for Alkalinity - easy to use, no need count drops
just read whats left in syringe and compare with a number on the chart provided

Steve

 

try another test kit like salifert or elos. API is ok for the basics including alk but sometimes test kits aren't very accurate so checking with another is a good first step. If you've got a bad test kit, you may not need to do anything.

High alk isn't the worst thing in the world and it is many times best to not try to change it but let the tank take care of itself. Every time you dose something for alk, ca, or mag your balance gets tossed around and it takes a while to stabilize again. Many people keep dosing for this and that trying to deal with and issue and they never get the balance right in their tanks.

My alk was as high as yours at one point and I let the tank adjust itself while I kept monitoring. I made sure I kept the mag and ca from dropping and slowly got it up to an acceptable range. The high alk didn't hurt anything as far as I know. In your case your ca is a bit low but not horrible.