so, I just got my Salifert KH/Alk test kit and my numbers are sky high

[flyweed]

So I just tested my 20 gallon tank's Alk/kh and it seems to be WAY off the charts. Like I followed the test to the letter, and my dropper syringe was on the last 2 drops when I only began to see a slight color change as it dropped into the test liquid. then when I swirled it turned back to blue/green. So my Alk must be really high. My question is, does it really matter? I am not keeping SPS in my tank at all, and am only doing things like Zoa's, Mushrooms, and maybe a few softies of some sort. Otherwise, just some fish and CUC. How much does having a "perfect" alkalinity and carbonate hardness be for my type of setup? I can certainly do some water changes to get it back down, but just wondering if it really matters that much. Thanks

 

[X-37B]

thanks for that info. I just now did the 2 drop "low res" test. when my liquid turned pink, I read the 1ml syringe and it was at 0.5 ( so then take that times 2) and I get 1.00, correct? So what does that mean Alkalinity-wise??

Look at your paperwork chart.
.5 is 7.7. 7.7×2=alk 15.4.

 

[flyweed]

Look at your paperwork chart.
.5 is 7.7. 7.7×2=alk 15.4.

my paperwork says to just take the reading which is .5ml and multiply by 2. That's it, there is nothing else.

 

[DontWorryReefHappy]

I will retry the test a bit later today. I only use RO/DI water and Instant Ocean salt. I am going to test a batch of my new saltwater as well as the tank again.

Is it a reef tank,? Why aren't you using reef salt with crystal by instant ocean better yet

 

[DontWorryReefHappy]

I will retry the test a bit later today. I only use RO/DI water and Instant Ocean salt. I am going to test a batch of my new saltwater as well as the tank again.

Is it a reef tank,? Why aren't you using reef salt with crystal by instant ocean better yet TtopicMarin Pro-Reef Bucket Sal

 

[X-37B]

my paperwork says to just take the reading which is .5ml and multiply by 2. That's it, there is nothing else.

This chart. 0.50 left is 7.7 dkh.
2ml test is 7.7×2
Same chart you use for 4 ml.

 

[rtparty]

Is it a reef tank,? Why aren't you using reef salt with crystal by instant ocean better yet

Just because a salt has reef in its name, doesn’t make it any better to use for a reef tank.

Reef Crystals is actually a “worse” salt than regular Instant Ocean in my experience. Jacked up parameters, bunch of odd ingredients added, precipitates when mixing, the list goes on

 

[flyweed]

Just because a salt has reef in its name, doesn’t make it any better to use for a reef tank.

Reef Crystals is actually a “worse” salt than regular Instant Ocean in my experience. Jacked up parameters, bunch of odd ingredients added, precipitates when mixing, the list goes on

so I don't think I've ever said I am using reef crystals..as I am not. I know enough to buy the lower Alk Instant Ocean for my particular tank. My tank is primarily a fish only with live rock. a few Zoa's and mushrooms. I am using Instant Ocean salt in my RO/DI water, and that Alk tests at 9.3 on my new water.

 

[rtparty]

so I don't think I've ever said I am using reef crystals..as I am not. I know enough to buy the lower Alk Instant Ocean for my particular tank. My tank is primarily a fish only with live rock. a few Zoa's and mushrooms. I am using Instant Ocean salt in my RO/DI water, and that Alk tests at 9.3 on my new water.

I didn’t quote you. I quoted the other user claiming YOU should be using a “reef” salt

 

[BryanM]

I don't have much to add, except that when I get a test result that doesn't make sense, I re-test.

Going back to what Vintage asked, are you dosing anything, if so what? Dosing something that increases alk seems like a likely culprit considering your mixed water tests at 9.3.

 

[flyweed]

I don't have much to add, except that when I get a test result that doesn't make sense, I re-test.

Going back to what Vintage asked, are you dosing anything, if so what? Dosing something that increases alk seems like a likely culprit considering your mixed water tests at 9.3.

Nope, I've dosed nothing with the exception of the Fluval Cycle bacterial enhancer at the start of the cycle for the first 3 days, as directed on the bottle.

 

[flyweed]

This chart. 0.50 left is 7.7 dkh.
2ml test is 7.7×2
Same chart you use for 4 ml.

Thank you for pointing that out. That helps. So now at least I know where my Alk sits. I am going to test again tonight and if it tests at over 15dkh again, I am going to do another 3-4 gallon water change.