Mother of God.... holy dKH....

multiply your meq/l by 2.8, so 3 meq/l * 2.8 = 8.4 dkh 8)

 

what is optimal range???

 

8-11 but there is some room for lower and higher.

 

Some alkalinity conversions for quick use.
7dkh=2.50meq/l=125ppm
8dkh=2.86meq/l=133.9ppm
9dkh=3.21meq/l=160.7ppm
10dkh=3.57meq/l=178.6ppm
11dkh=3.93meq/l=196.4ppm
12dkh=4.29meq/l=214.3ppm
13dkh=4.64meq/l=232.1ppm
14dkh=5.00meq/l=250.0ppm
15dkh=5.36meq/l=267.9ppm
16dkh=5.71meq/l=285.7ppm
17dkh=6.07meq/l=303.6ppm
18dkh=6.43meq/l=321.4ppm
Reef parameters and recommended/desired levels.
Salinity/specific gravity-1.025ppm or 35ppt
temp.-78-82
PH-8.1-8.3
Ammonia/NH3-0 Should be undetectable
Nitrite/NO2-0 Should be undetectable
Nitrate/NO3-0 Acceptable at higher levels in a reef setting @20ppm and 50ppm in fish only.
Phosphate/PO4-0 should be less than .03ppm

Magnesium/Mg-1400ppm This one affects the next 2 readings/levels.
Alk/dKH/KH-7-14. See chart above for conversions.
Calcium/Ca-380-500ppm

 

I've had mine up in the twenties and it came down naturally without hurting anything.
Now if your PH goes way high I would look out.