HELP - Lowering Alk...Unnaturally

Yesterday, I made up some fresh saltwater. I use IO salt. Plain, boring IO. I made up 20 gallons. This morning, in preparation for a change (20 Gallons), I tested my tank water, and then my new batch of saltwater, to get the levels of Alk/Cal/Mg as close as possible. Below are my tank stats:

SG: 1.025
Temp: 78.5
Cal: 450 (Red Sea)
Mg: 1420 (Red Sea)
dKh: 8.2 (Hanna Checker)

All is well. I go and test my newly made up saltwater, and here are the results:

SG: 1.026 (purposely higher as I want my tank SG higher)
Temp: 79
Cal: 440 (Red Sea)
Mg: 1410 (Red Sea)
dKh: 13.7 (Hanna Checker)

I tested it again, same result. Grabbed my Red Sea kit, tested, 13.4. What...The...Crap.

How does one go about lowering Alk, unnaturally. I run biopellets, and have started a preliminary ZeoVit trial run. I cannot raise my Alk to that level. That large of a change instantly could (will) cause a reaction with some of my Acro's.

Advice?

 

I think you will be fine. I've had mine at about 12 dKH (intentionally). I would let it drop slowly and naturally. I think quick alk shifts cause more damage then a little higher levels do.

 

i agree with Kevin, another quick shifts in your Alk will surely give your coral Alk Burn. i lost half my tank to that a few month ago.

let it go down naturally.

 

That is a hard one. It's not the value but the swing it took to get to that value.

If it were me I would let it come down if the corals looked normal or their baseline normal.

I would return the IO and get another bag/box.....

Seems like any intervention now might be more stressful. I guess as a last intervention could bring your Ca up or do water changes with a mix that has a lower alk.

Sorry not much help I know.

 

I haven't changed any water yet. I won't with an Alk level of 13+. I crashed a tank last year due to an Alk swing (much larger swing, but still...).

How will the water in my water change container go down naturally? That is why the question was asked how to lower it unnaturally.

 

Can't return it. Already used 2 bags of the 200 Gallon box...this mix is bag #3 and #4. I've never had a reading above 8 with IO...I always have to supplement Alk/Cal. This batch is higher across the board. Good to know Quality Control is paying off.

 

I would guess that a 20g water change will raise the overall alk no more than 1 DKH. Honestly, you could stop dosing for a day after the water change and you should be good to go. Keep in mind that just raising you specific gravity alone will also raise your levels.

What is your mixing regiment?
Are you mixing the entire bag at once?

 

Ahhh, yeah so Alk will not come down on it own. Very interesting.

Hope someone know the exact answer to that problem.

Great. Well how many bags are in a box?
There is no way you can use that water.
Might want to see if Instant Ocean has a solution or replacement. Or give it to someone with a fish only tank or sell it to someone with a fish only tank.

 

Oh, sorry. I misunderstood you. Well, I personally wouldn't use it. I don't think there is an easy way to reduce alk. Perhaps try and mix in another type of salt mix with more water and see it that lowers it slightly?

 

This seems right up.