water alk test

Ive just tested alkalinity twice and i got a reading of 130ppms ?? that seems a little crazy ..i read the instruction leaflet and it says anthing over 120ppms is bad and to consult your lfs ...so i thought i would ask you guys and gals for some advice on lowering it (bi carb soda ) or will bi carb raise it, im a little confused on whats going on.
all other readings were as follows
ph-8.2
ca- 450ppms
p04- 0
no2-0
n03-0
nh4-0
salinity 1.028 ( ive added some fresh will test later for change)

cheers

 

ok to help u out first your density is way to high you want it between 1.023 to 24 for reaf, and for fish only u want 1.020. next are you adding any calcium sub. to your tank? if so check to see if there is an alk sub. i would do a a water change alittle at a time like 10 - 15% everyother day and ad fresh water to the tank to get it down to 1.023

 

OK the salinity is a tad high but that depends on what you are testing the level with A swing arm meter is always off a tad + or - A refractometer is the only way to tell for sure But I found with the swing arm units I kept mine in the day at 1.024 and it was always fine .

Now with the DKH well Alk at 130 ppm is a tad to low use this conversion to adjust what you have and depending on what you keep adjust accordingly With higher DKH values you will have far less algae issue.
To convert use this formula 2.8 dKH = 1.0 meg/l = 50 ppm.

Reef fish can adjust to less then reef quality water But its not fair to them or yourself it gets expensive to replace them. It cause stress and health issues I think.. Try to keep the alk PPM near to 180ppm and ca at 400 and as you bring the alk up a bit to the proper levels the ca will fall from the 450 to 400 , The carbonate levels increase skimmer efficiency also..

 

Okay thanks thats makes it alot clearer , i guess i didnt really understand what was going on

 

as of now alk 170ppm, ca 420ppm,sg 1.025 the skimmer is going crazy giving me green tea ...anyone for a cup..lol
thanks to all who replied

 

You have to keep an eye on the magnesium as that keeps the Carbonates and Calcium playing nicely together in the box of water .. The mag falls off the Ca ad alk will start to yo.yo and one will get on top of the other and it will be harder t keep them both in line and stable . See they really do not like each other kind of like oil and water and the Magnesium acts as the emulsifier to keep them mixed

 

Im going to go down to the lfs and get them to test for magnesium , what is the suggested level?

 

Chemistry and the Aquarium

Learn something new every day Thanks tangster

 

LOL don't we all Not a problm glaed you got it sorted out. It really simple Ca at 450 to 500 alsk a 12 to 14 DKH and Mag at 1500ppm and you have it not much else to test and when you find Ca and Alk yo'yoying the mag is low I test my Mag. every month or so Once I have had it stable for a few weekly testing ..