How to lower kh, Chemist Needed

Discussion in 'Water Chemistry' started by RockinReef, Jan 27, 2009.

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  1. RockinReef

    RockinReef Plankton

    Joined:
    Jul 8, 2008
    Messages:
    14
    Location:
    Tampa, Florida
    Background: I have a 110 Reef Tank with hard and soft corals and a few fish, refugium with lights, Protein Skimmer and a Current Outer Orbit light fixture with 2 x 250 10K HQI-MH + 4 x 54 watt T5 HOs and 18 lunar leds. Chiller set at 79 degrees F and a lot of patience! haha

    Tuesday:
    Calcium: 440
    Magnesium: 1225
    PH: 8.4
    dkh:20 ?

    kh is off the chart. Frequent water changes, have no effect so how do I lower kh without crashing the other levels?

    Do I need a chemist?

    UPDATE AS OF 1/30/2009 21:25 EST

    Good News / Bad News

    FYI - I am using three stage RO water so that is not the problem. I bought new API test kits for Ca, Kh, Ph and Mg.

    As of the last three days the Kh has dropped so is the calcium. I have been dosing with DT's Pure Reef Calcium.

    Here are the readings and doses last three nights in a row:

    Wednesday:
    Ca 360
    dKh 15
    Mg 1230
    Ph 8.4
    I added 50 ml DT's Pure Reef Elements Ca

    Thursday:
    Ca 360
    dKh 14
    Mg 1225
    Ph 8.4
    I added 100ml DT's Pure Reef Elements Ca

    Friday: (Tonight)
    Ca 360
    dKh 13
    Mg 1200
    Ph 8.4
    I added 150 ml DT's Pure Reef Elements Ca

    What does everyone recommend?
     
    Last edited: Jan 30, 2009
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  3. Froc3

    Froc3 Fire Goby

    Joined:
    Sep 19, 2007
    Messages:
    1,318
    Location:
    Saskatoon, Sk
    I would make sure you check your test kit out. With your calcium that high I suspect your kh reading is wrong. Take it in to the LFS and have them check it or buy another kit to test with. GL
     
  4. unclejed

    unclejed Whip-Lash Squid

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    Location:
    Clinton Township, Michigan
     
  5. Daniel072

    Daniel072 Giant Squid

    Joined:
    May 30, 2008
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    3,677
    that has to be a test kit issue. I don't see how your ca would be able to stay that high if the kh is that high. Alk usually causes calcium to drop
     
  6. Bogie

    Bogie Snowflake Eel

    Joined:
    Feb 7, 2008
    Messages:
    2,350
    Location:
    CT
    Or here is what you can do:
    1. Make sure you tested right for Alk using a SW test kit.

    Add magnesium to get up to 1450-1500 ppm (using either epsom salt or Mag chloride + Mag sulf from bulk reef supply, or similar). This will balance the Ca you are about to add.

    Then add a calcium chloride flake to get your Ca from 440 to 520.
    By increasing your Ca by 80 ppm, this will automatically decrease the Alk by 4 dKH, down to ~16 dKH. This is still high, but a safe level and it will drop as it gets consumed.
    You can use the Calculator on the menu to the left to see how much you need to dose of whatever mag and ca product you choose.
     
  7. RockinReef

    RockinReef Plankton

    Joined:
    Jul 8, 2008
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    14
    Location:
    Tampa, Florida
    I am currently only adding calcium individually, no kh? This should bring down the kh eventually, correct?
     
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  9. Dr.Fragenstein

    Dr.Fragenstein Panda Puffer

    Joined:
    Oct 30, 2008
    Messages:
    2,108
    Location:
    SE Wisconsin
    What salt are you using? Are you using TAP water? What is the brand of the test kit? Lastly what is the SG of the water?

    If not using RO water already I would definetly start. That is really the only way to know for sure you are not unintentionally adding CO3s and HCO3- into the water driving up the kH.. Also some salt brands have a higher kH level to them right from the get go, Coralife is typically high!

    Good luck and happy reefing!
     
  10. RockinReef

    RockinReef Plankton

    Joined:
    Jul 8, 2008
    Messages:
    14
    Location:
    Tampa, Florida
    Good News / Bad News

    FYI - I am using three stage RO water so that is not the problem. I bought new API test kits for Ca, Kh, Ph and Mg.

    As of the last three days the Kh has dropped so is the calcium. I have been dosing with DT's Pure Reef Calcium.

    Here are the readings and doses last three nights in a row:

    Wednesday:
    Ca 360
    dKh 15
    Mg 1230
    Ph 8.4
    I added 50 ml DT's Pure Reef Elements Ca

    Thursday:
    Ca 360
    dKh 14
    Mg 1225
    Ph 8.4
    I added 100ml DT's Pure Reef Elements Ca

    Friday: (Tonight)
    Ca 360
    dKh 13
    Mg 1200
    Ph 8.4
    I added 150 ml DT's Pure Reef Elements Ca

    What does everyone recommend?
     
    Last edited: Jan 30, 2009
  11. RockinReef

    RockinReef Plankton

    Joined:
    Jul 8, 2008
    Messages:
    14
    Location:
    Tampa, Florida
    Chemical Education and Advice Needed - Please!

    Good News / Bad News

    FYI - I am using three stage RO water so that is not the problem. I bought new API test kits for Ca, Kh, Ph and Mg.

    As of the last three days the Kh has dropped so is the calcium. I have been dosing with DT's Pure Reef Calcium.

    Here are the readings and doses last three nights in a row:

    Wednesday:
    Ca 360
    dKh 15
    Mg 1230
    Ph 8.4
    I added 50 ml DT's Pure Reef Elements Ca

    Thursday:
    Ca 360
    dKh 14
    Mg 1225
    Ph 8.4
    I added 100ml DT's Pure Reef Elements Ca

    B]Friday: (Tonight)[/b]
    Ca 360
    dKh 13
    Mg 1200
    Ph 8.4
    I added 150 ml DT's Pure Reef Elements Ca

    What does everyone recommend?[/quote]
     
    Last edited: Jan 30, 2009
  12. reef_guru

    reef_guru Humpback Whale

    Joined:
    Apr 4, 2007
    Messages:
    2,753
    Location:
    joliet,il
    sounds like the Ca your dosing isnt strong enough, CaCl works great. 500 Ca, 1500 Mg and 25 dKH is where i keep mine.
     
    Last edited: Jan 31, 2009