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Reload this Page Ok, I can't figure out why my alk is so high.
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  #1  
Old 12/30/2007, 05:40 PM
Maximus Maximus is offline
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Ok, I can't figure out why my alk is so high.
Well, this is a new one for me. I've been testing my alk for the past week and it's been hovering around 10-12 dkh. Why is this strange? It's strange because I haven't been dosing anything and my calcium reactor is not even on. Any ideas? Btw, I added around 20 acro frags (thanks again Tim!) a few days ago and hoped to see the alk go down. Funny thing is it keeps going up. I tested the alk a few days ago and it was around 10 dkh. It is now at 12 dkh. I am totally confused by this. Btw, I am using the Lamotte Alk kit and have double tested each time with the same results. Any ideas?
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  #2  
Old 12/30/2007, 05:45 PM
Maximus Maximus is offline
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I just thought of something. I wonder what the alk of freshly made salt water is?
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  #3  
Old 12/30/2007, 06:01 PM
fishnfst fishnfst is offline
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depends on what mix you use... Test your freshly mixed water...
  #4  
Old 12/30/2007, 06:48 PM
Marko9 Marko9 is offline
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Sang, I do not know which salt you are using, but I have seen Reef Crystals close to 13 before.
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  #5  
Old 12/30/2007, 06:53 PM
Maximus Maximus is offline
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Ahh, that's good to know Mark. I am using IO now. I think I will test it later on today.
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  #6  
Old 12/30/2007, 07:16 PM
hiepatitis hiepatitis is offline
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what is your pH? maybe your pH is low enough for calcium carbonate to dissolve from your substrate or rocks.
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  #7  
Old 12/30/2007, 07:41 PM
rleechb rleechb is offline
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It's the IO. It's known to have high alk/low ca. I mix it w/ oceanic to even things out a bit.
  #8  
Old 12/30/2007, 07:55 PM
Maximus Maximus is offline
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Ph ranges from 7.9-8.25. I can understand the high alk issue with IO but what would lead the alk to increase?
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  #9  
Old 12/30/2007, 09:09 PM
Psionicdragon Psionicdragon is offline
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are you using old reactor media?
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300 gallon tank with too much things!
  #10  
Old 12/30/2007, 09:16 PM
Maximus Maximus is offline
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The reactor isn't on. I've been waiting for the alk to decrease so I can turn it on. LOL, the alk is increasing without it.
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  #11  
Old 12/30/2007, 09:26 PM
Psionicdragon Psionicdragon is offline
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I understand that, but if you are using old media and running water through the chamber, the media that was once dissolved could be leaking in cal/alk in your tank.
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300 gallon tank with too much things!
  #12  
Old 12/30/2007, 09:39 PM
Maximus Maximus is offline
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The reactor has never been turned on so it cannot be leaching any cal/alk in the tank.
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  #13  
Old 12/31/2007, 06:20 PM
FinalPhaze987 FinalPhaze987 is offline
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ive had the same problem before and someone advised to use SeaChem salt for a few water changes...its alk is low (7-8 dKh)...after a 5 15% water changes over 5 weeks the levels were back to normal...a pain to do, but it works
 

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