High KH - help please!

[alyxandria]

Ok so here are all of my parameters:

pH: 7.5
NH3: 0
NO2: 0
NO3: 20
Ca: 380
KH: 16.8 (!)
Mg: 1280
PO4: 0.08

And a little background: I started using Instant Ocean saltwater salt. For the past three (5g) water changes I have used Instant Ocean reef salt. I realized after I checked that I had been grabbing spring water instead of distilled. I checked the KH of the spring water and it was high so I assume that's why my KH is so high on top of the reef salts adding KH.

My question: I went out and bought distilled water - should I just keep doing 5g water changes with the reef salt and distilled water until my KH returns? Or will it drop on its own? I read somewhere someone had suggested to just leave it and it will drop.

Thanks!

 

[bribo12]

What test kit are you using? That measurement should be in dKh or meq
Edit: oops nvm the dKh/meq comment. But yeah what test kit

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[alyxandria]

Sorry it's in dKh. RedSea test kits.

 

[bribo12]

Sorry it's in dKh. RedSea test kits.

Hmm that's extremely high. No coral in the tank right? Measure your next batch of sw. It could be a bad batch of salt


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[alyxandria]

Hmm that's extremely high. No coral in the tank right? Measure your next batch of sw. It could be a bad batch of salt


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No corals. Will measure my next batch tomorrow.

 

[alyxandria]

Ok the salt is mixing right now with the distilled water.

I tested the distilled water and the test colour changed to the end colour immediately. So I know that water is fine.

I'll test the water after its finished mixing. I'm pretty sure the salt mix is fine. But will post results in a couple hours when it's fully mixed

 

[mr_X]

If you have no corals, I wouldn't even be testing for it. Getting corals soon? All you need to do to lower alk is add some calcium.

 

[alyxandria]

If you have no corals, I wouldn't even be testing for it. Getting corals soon? All you need to do to lower alk is add some calcium.

I would like to get corals yes. As soon as I can get my lights lol. My calcium right now is 420. If I add calcium won't that make that rise? Will they even out? It's not gonna be about a month until I get corals. Or should I just keep doing the 5g water changes with the distilled until the alk drops?

 

[mr_X]

You should stop wasting your test kits until you are ready. I would just let it sort itself out with weekly water changes.

 

[dcutl002]

Mr_X...could an RO/DI filter help if he wants corals?


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[mr_X]

A RODI can always help. You can be sure the water is 100% pure. It depends on the size of the tank and how much water you are using to figure on how much of a value it would be v.s. purchasing water.

 

[alyxandria]

A RODI can always help. You can be sure the water is 100% pure. It depends on the size of the tank and how much water you are using to figure on how much of a value it would be v.s. purchasing water.

It's on my purchase list for when I have the funds