Alkalinity is high..why!?

Alk - 13
CA - 460
pH - 7.8
Nit - 0
Nit - 0
Am - 0
Pho - .25
Temp 75F

So I've had two problems with my water quality these last few weeks.. My Alk is HIGH my pH is LOW.

My LED's are cheapo-crapola but my corals do open and respond, I also spot feed a few times a week so I'm not sure if they look fine because of the food or lights.

What would be causing my ALK to stay so darn high??

I'm dropping close to 10mL of SeaChem Balance a week and still staying at 7.8 I heard this number should not be a problem if everything else is fine but the Alk is spiked so I'm worried..

My tank is 10 gallons, total volume is 9.8 gallons of water (14lbs of LR, 15lbs of sand), I did a 6 gallon water change today, test was done before I did the water change.

 

Stop dosing the Seachem, worry less about the pH and more about the ALK value. You're chasing a pH value with a buffer unfortunately this is the result.

Figure out what your am pH before the lights go is, test again in the afternoon before the lights go off. Get a low and the high then you will know if you have truly have an issue with pH.

You're going to need a magnesium value as well.

 

Should I use my Calcion supplement? If I don't supplement it drops to the low 300's in a few days..

I'll get a magnesium reading and see where it's at..

As always, thank you!

 

Sure no problem Frank.

What salt mix are you using?

It's a small tank so you could get away with something like Kent Marine Parts A/B.

Test kit type too please.

 

Salt is fresh sea water, 1.023 the same as my tank.. I have a few boxes of Petco brand Salt mix that I havent used. It's easier to buy but If I need to mix I will.

Test kit is API :\

I already own a bottle of Calcion, should I quit that?

 

If you do have a low Mag. level which seems likely be very carefull raising it too quickly with that high Alkalinity.DO NOT dose ALK. or Calcium until the magnesium is in the proper range. Your mag. level should be roughly three times your desired Calcium level. so if you want 450 -1350 should be your target Mag. level. Your salt mix plays a big part as well as some brands contain more magnesium then others.
P.S. Charley don't surf either.lmao;D

 

Yeah that is probably why your lower, using NSW not uncommon. You can continue to use that product. It's the Seachem Balance that is raising your alk level too high. What I like about Kent A/B is that it has magnesium/strontium and iodine. Your magnesium might very well be on the low side as well.
Of course using a salt mix like Reef Crystals, Pro Coral and doing water changes you might not have to dose because the tank is small.

 

If you can afford it Hanna alk. meter(awesome) or Salifert,RedSea kits are preferable but can still give false readings on occasion.Only happened to me once with a red sea calcium kit.It tested 400 no matter what.
Good luck.

 

Wow, this many years in the hobby and I've only tested ph once or twice. Don't worry so much about your ph and get that alk, mag and ca in check. If those 3 are good, you are going to be fine.

 

So an update.

My Zoas are opening up again!!

I took the advice, I packed up the SeaChem Balance, I'm no longer worried about pH. Instead of 5 gallon water changes once a week I'm doing 8 gallons every 5 days, my total volume is a tad over 10 gallons but not 11. I read somewhere about a reefer doing 90% WC. After the second one this week everything seems more alive. Even my dragonet is actually swimming around perching on the frag rack and swimming with the clowns.

Now, I'm thinking about ditching the LFS sea water and going with a salt mix. Reason being is my calcium drops rapidly. I am afraid of using Brightwell Calcion since I'm not really balancing any Mg or any other elements. Instead of having to use Kent two part or any other set of chemicals I figure go with a salt made for coral growth and be done with it.

Thoughts?

Any experience with Calcion and just water changes?

What salt mix would you guys suggest?