dkh to high

[mmkeeper]

How can I lower my Dkh? I have tried water changes, and sparkling water.

 

[Tangee]

What is your CA level? How high is your dKH? You can lower your dKH by adding only a calcium supplement with no alkalinity buffers, assuming your CA isn't too high also.

Susie

 

[mmkeeper]

Ca is @ 550

 

[Tangee]

That is too high also. What are you using as additives right now? Also, which salt mix?

 

[mmkeeper]

Instant Ocean, I have a calc reactor that I have slowes way down. I tested the my replacement saltwater w/IO and it had a dKH of 11 and my ro/di fresh water is 0.
Since I tested hi I am not using any additives. I have tried a little Kalw to raise my ph after trying carbonated water.

 

[big t]

What dkh is your water at?

 

[mmkeeper]

My dKH is 17

 

[big t]

Well with as high as your calcium is that really isn't all that high. If you want your parameters to be balanced your dkh should be up at 26! I would recommend turning off your calcium reactor, and not adding anything. Just do waterchanges with IO weekly and it will come down before too long.

 

[mmkeeper]

Will it cause any problems being this high?

 

[big t]

What will really cause problems is if you do anthing to drastic and cause a snow storm. I am not a expert by any means, but I would vote to bring it back slowly.

 

[Tangee]

It depends on what's in your tank, but if it were me I'd do exactly as BigT says and bring it down slowly with water changes. What is your PH?

 

[mmkeeper]

Right now ph is @ 8

 

[brisk495]

what is the normal PH fluctuation during the day?

 

[mmkeeper]

It stays @ 8 pretty much all day. I added seltzer water yesterday and it made the ph drop but it has returned to 8

 

[DonW]

If your adding things like seltzer and sparkling water that contain bicarbonate, your only going to give ph a hit and raise you dkh. I'd agree with Tom. Shut down the the reactor and just do a wc or two.

Don

 

[mmkeeper]

Thanks for the advice

 

[NaH2O]

brisk495 - Welcome to Reef Frontiers!!!

 

[plack]

And don't forget to test the levels of the new saltwatermix before you do a 25% water change

 

[mmkeeper]

Thanks my replacement saltwater is running a hardness of 10dKH. By turning my CA reactor way down my Ca and ALK is slowly dropping.

 

[mmkeeper]

Just an update. Ca now 500, dHK now 15. Ph holding at 8.0 Changed 6 gallons of water today.