Is it possible to have too much alk?

[sdaccord03]

Every time I measure my alk it is off the charts? I initially filled up my tank with tap water but now I use RO water. Is it possible to have too much alk? I was using a test kit that wasnt very accurate (test strips) so that could be part of it.

Is it possible to have too much Ca or Alk?

Jim

 

[Phyl]

You should probably try a more reliable test kit (Salifert/Seachem) before you jump to any conclusions about your Alk. Yes, if your Alk is too high you won't be able to keep Ca in your tank. I read an article once that described the Ca/Alk balance has having a bowl full of marbles (some Ca and some Alk). If you tried adding more alk to the full bowl of marbles *something* would spill out onto the counter. Likewise adding more Ca is going to make marbles fall out. There is a point where the saturation level is just too great and could cause a crash by the precipitation of the Ca/Alk out of the water.

 

[sdaccord03]

Uh oh. I better start testing Ca. Thanks for the response, Phyl.

 

[BillyZ]

for a little more informaiton, here is a great article I keep on hand that explains a lot of the CA/Alk relationship and how to adjust when necessary.

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/nov2002/chem.htm

hope it helps.