I was just doing a test of all parameters and when i got to the KH test i was a 21 count and still a blue tube…am i in trouble?
It could be the kit API test kits are not known as one of the better brands and KH is one that tends to get bad batches more than other, I would take some to a store or test your kit with a known source.
Sounds like a plan because i thought an 8-12 was the norm.
Try testing NSW and/or replicating the test 3 times, if you haven’t already. Hanna seems to be producing the best hobby-grade test kits at the moment.
I agree there is an issue with the test kit. Any water with dkh that high would not be able to support life.
I would get someone else to test it or try another kit, that just seems way to high.
Are you dosing the tank with anything?
[quote=“billrob71, post:6, topic:4552”]
I would get someone else to test it or try another kit, that just seems way to high.
Are you dosing the tank with anything?[/quote]
I am using KENT Marine superbuffer-dKH…I under dosed it based off the volume of the tank though just as a precaution. It says 1 teaspoon for each 20-30 gallons i used 2.
I wouldn’t dose any more until you get your water tested with either another kit, another forum member, or tested at your LFS. Don’t make the mistake of trusting the test kits, you could really damage your system.
It’s always best asking before acting!
Thats a pretty good buffer. Ive used it before. but you didnt mention how often you dosed. dosing should be calibrated to the tanks consumption rate. so if your tank drops 1 DKH of alkalinity per day, you ad the calculated dose amount per day. if your new tank is not really consuming any alk, then even a half dose, daily will build up a surplus in short order.
Rule one. test and measure and dose as required. you should soon figure out what the norm is for your tank. in time, as you add corals, or bio activity increases which neutralizes alk, your dose may have to increase. but only as needed. you have to get in tune with your tank.
I retested the dkh and it turned yellow at 18 drops (which is still high) but down from the 21 count i stopped at last test.
thats good news… that’ll teach you to follow directions! :
: seriously, those bottles aren’t much help…actually more harm then good usually. I always test first before i dose (not every time, i’ve got it pretty down now, but still test weekly),… and then use a “chemistry calculator”, I’m always on ---------, so i use theirs, very accurate… I don’t know what others use, but this would be a good meeting topic… “dosing techniques” reactors, kalk, 2-part (3 part) and their correct usages…
here’s the link to that calculator…'Reef Chemistry Calculator FV'
thx
an emergency method to reduce a very high ph or alkalinity due to over dosing is to simply dose some SELTZER WATER. not soda ,or quininewater, just plain old unflavored, no addatives Seltzer water from the grocery store. in the Soft drink department. It should be pure carbonated water. lots of fizzy disolved CO2. Carbonic acid. it will neutralize the high alkalinity.
http://www.netpets.com/fish/reference/reefref/lowcarb.html
it works like a calcium reactor to react with carbonates. it shouldn’t take much.
http://www.athiel.com/lib2/tips/lowering.html
or you can add some vinegar. I add vinegar all the time to my Kalwasser for dosing.
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-03/rhf/index.phpb
Whatever you do, dose slow, and wait, and test.