High KH

[haus]

I just did a 25% pwc earlier today. I ran a complete test just to see where things are. Everything is doing well, ammonia 0, Nitrate 0, Nitrite 0, Ca 450 (a little high I think), pH 8.3. My KH is 160!!!!! Will that go down at all as the new water settles in or am I in trouble? I am trying to get some coraline to grow, so I added Ca to the water, could that be the cause?

 

[steve-s]

160 ppm is actually not that high, it's only a tad outside NSW @ 3.2 mEq/l. The CA is definately a tad high but that also depends on your salinity. Stop adding the Ca and the level will ease back on it's own it time. A short time in that range is nothing to be concerned about.

BTW, try not to test the chemistry for at least a few hours after a water change or dosing. It can often lead to false readings. Post the tank specs tomorrow and see where your at.

Cheers
Steve

 

[haus]

Thanks, I was worried a bit. The test kit that I have says that sw should be between 105-125. My sg is 1.022. I did run the test about 8 hrs after changing the water. I will test again later today and post the results. On the positive side, when I was lookiing in my tank last night, I noticed some red things growing on the lr that wasn't there before. I'm not sure exactly what it is, but I think it is finally some kind of caraline. I will post a pic when my new camera comes in the mail tomorrow!!

thanks again steve

 

[steve-s]

The test kit that I have says that sw should be between 105-125. My sg is 1.022.

The level for chemistry should be decided top down, ie.. salinity then the the rest of which your's is kinda low for keeping inverts. If you have a refractometer, target 35 ppt for the tanks salinity. If a swing arm hydrometer, shoot for 1.025 SG. Be sure you do this very very slowly though. Increase no more than 0.001/day (0.75 ppt).

Once you have a more reasonable reef salinity, alkalinity should be maintained somewhere about 125-150 ppm.

I will test again later today and post the results.

Cheers
Steve