High Alkalinity

Discussion in 'Water Chemistry' started by Britecloud, Sep 15, 2015.

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  1. Britecloud

    Britecloud Plankton

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    I'm a new aquarist, so please be gentle with me. lol

    I'm unclear how to lower my alkalinity, currently at 14. Magnesium is 1380, Ph is 8.2-8.4. Calcium is 380. If I do a partial water change won't that affect all of the numbers?

    I just set up a back hanging protein skimmer last night. And I have a canister filter.

    I have a reef tank with a bubble tip anemone, hammer, acon and assorted frags. The anemone is new and not really responding. Hasn't eaten, tips not moving.

    Any help would be appreciated. I know there is a broad spectrum of variables. And I may not be familiar with all of the acronyms I see used.

    Thanks
     
    Corailline likes this.
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  3. Corailline

    Corailline Super Moderator

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    It is a dry heat, yeah right !
    Hi Britecloud, what test kit are you using?

    How old is the tank, did you dosing anything, what salt mix? How big is the tank?

    We can figure this out, do not worry, just need some basic information. ;)

    Yes a water change will affect all chemistry, but we need to know if the value of 14 is indeed correct first, what salt mix you're going to use for the water change (is it a bad batch).
     
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  4. Vinnyboombatz

    Vinnyboombatz Giant Squid

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    If the tips aren't moving you may not have enough flow in your aquarium.A picture of your tank will help.Size?Flow rate?
    Hello and welcome.:)
     
  5. Britecloud

    Britecloud Plankton

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    Much for your help! My aquarium is 30 gallon it is about 3 to 4 months old. I use reach crystals as my salt mix.

    I don't know my flow rate. But I did just have one powerhead I put a second up today thinking that I probably need more flow. And it is looking a little better. I also think my skimmer is making an improvement because my hammer looks huge today bigger than it's ever looked


     
  6. Britecloud

    Britecloud Plankton

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    Some pics.
     

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  7. Britecloud

    Britecloud Plankton

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    I forgot you also asked about my testing kits. I use Salifery for magnesium and alkaline. I use the master kit for everything else with an additional calcium separate kid. I don't remember the makers of those but it's one that you see everywhere.
     
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  9. justonwo

    justonwo Fire Shrimp

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    What is your salinity? My sense is that most salt manufacturers err on the high side of bicarbonate concentrations because, as the tank reaches steady state, overall carbonate alkalinity will drop. Newer tanks will not have reached this steady state point because most of the tank water is new. When you have an established tank with modest water changes, the alkalinity level will come down.

    However, be aware that alkalinity is tied to salinity (which is a measure of the total salt concentration in your tank), so a high salinity is likely to produce high alkalinity. I'm also guessing that the alkalinity of your new salt water is pretty high, so a water change will not reduce alkalinity.
     
  10. Britecloud

    Britecloud Plankton

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    Glad you brought up the salinity. It is on the low end 1.022/1.023. So I was afraid to do a water
    Change without treated water since that would bring the salinity down. But also afraid adding more salt would bring up the alkaline. It just seems like there is something(s) not working together here.
     
  11. Corailline

    Corailline Super Moderator

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    It is a dry heat, yeah right !
    Switch to plan old Instant Ocean. Others have had issues with high alk values using RC, I had issues with higher Mag values using RC. The value will fall back down to normal levels within a week if you do not do another water change with the Reef Crystals.
     
  12. SAW39

    SAW39 Ritteri Anemone

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    So, how do you reduce the pH? A few drops of lemon juice plus a buffer?