Water Kh ? It's too high - Aquarium Advice

Herndo · 05-12-2008, 09:19 PM

Just like most the test kits I've seen, you count the drops until it turns yellow/lime and multiply by 10. It took 18 drops tonight right after a water change and 16 drops 3 hours later.

If I'm not mistaken 10-12 is the range I'm shooting for and the only way to lower it is change the water again?

It's a FOWL 8.2 PH, negative for ammonia, nitrite and around 5ppm of nitrate after water change. Been running over 4 years. 55 gallon. Thanks.

cmor1701d · 05-12-2008, 11:31 PM

Who makes the test kit and how old is it?

You may want to read Alk-CHEMISTRY AND THE AQUARIUM for more information

mandown123 · 05-13-2008, 01:08 AM

herndo - i have a titration alk test. i do one vial then divide by 2 and thats the m/eq whatever then multiply by 2.8 to get dkh

dont know if that helps

Kurt_Nelson · 05-13-2008, 01:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Herndo

Just like most the test kits I've seen, you count the drops until it turns yellow/lime and multiply by 10. It took 18 drops tonight right after a water change and 16 drops 3 hours later.

If I'm not mistaken 10-12 is the range I'm shooting for and the only way to lower it is change the water again?

It's a FOWL 8.2 PH, negative for ammonia, nitrite and around 5ppm of nitrate after water change. Been running over 4 years. 55 gallon. Thanks.

If it's an API test (Aquarium Pharmaceuticals) then the number of drops until it turns yellow is the number of dKH. So if it took 16 drops, then you're alkalinity is 16 dkH (which is the same as 5.7 meq/l... divide the dkH by 2. )

You're right more or less... 8-12 dkH is the normally recommended range, but it will depend on your Ca levels. Are you dosing any calcium or alkalinity?

Water changes should bring it back down.

cccapt · 05-13-2008, 08:32 AM

What salt are you using? Are you adding any buffers? 16 dKH is extremely high.

Herndo · 05-13-2008, 09:38 AM

they must have changed something on their end. for years i've had ultra low Kh. I do have a buffer, i used it about a month ago as per instructions. one where you disolve the powder in some water and then put in tank.

i've done 20 gallons worth of water change in last week, plan on doing 10 more today.

what can high Kh due to an aquarium? My 4 clownfish are happy and active and two urchin are quit healthy as well.

Herndo · 05-13-2008, 09:41 AM

Hagen Carbonate/Total Hardness Test Kit

Hagen's user-friendly test kits are the answer for today's aquarist. They are easy to use, fast, accurate, and conveniently packaged with simple, easy to follow instructions. Each test kit includes reagent(s), one glass test tube with cap, one pipette, one lab base, and instruction booklet. For fresh/saltwater. Number of tests depends on water conditions.

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...6&pcatid=13526

Kurt_Nelson · 05-13-2008, 10:29 AM

Test the water you're getting from the LFS and find out its alkalinity. They could be buffering it up for whatever reason. If that's the case, no amount of water changes will bring it down.

Alkalinity in the range you're talking about will not cause any major issues with fish... I think. I'll let the chemistry experts deal with that one. All I know is that high alkalinity will effect your calcium levels in your tank, and keeping them balanced is important to maintain the correct calcium levels for any corals you might have. If you don't have corals, then it's probably not that big of a deal.

Sounds like maybe you over corrected with the buffer you added.

05-12-2008, 09:19 PM	#1 (permalink)
Herndo Aquarium Advice Apprentice Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Lexington SC Posts: 21 Images: 3	Water Kh ? It's too high Just like most the test kits I've seen, you count the drops until it turns yellow/lime and multiply by 10. It took 18 drops tonight right after a water change and 16 drops 3 hours later. If I'm not mistaken 10-12 is the range I'm shooting for and the only way to lower it is change the water again? It's a FOWL 8.2 PH, negative for ammonia, nitrite and around 5ppm of nitrate after water change. Been running over 4 years. 55 gallon. Thanks.

05-12-2008, 11:31 PM	#2 (permalink)
cmor1701d Aquarium Advice Addict Community Mentor Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Belle Mead, NJ Posts: 3,562 Images: 43	Who makes the test kit and how old is it? You may want to read Alk-CHEMISTRY AND THE AQUARIUM for more information __________________ Click here to Vote for Aquarium Advice on AquaRank . Vote EVERY day! Click Here for a list of commonly used acronyms and abbreviations. ____ Cmor

05-13-2008, 08:32 AM	#5 (permalink)
cccapt SW 10 & Over Community Mentor Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Northeast PA Posts: 1,293 Images: 2	What salt are you using? Are you adding any buffers? 16 dKH is extremely high. __________________ 125g reef See My Tank Info Check out The build project

05-13-2008, 09:38 AM	#6 (permalink)
Herndo Aquarium Advice Apprentice Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Lexington SC Posts: 21 Images: 3	saltwater from the LFS they must have changed something on their end. for years i've had ultra low Kh. I do have a buffer, i used it about a month ago as per instructions. one where you disolve the powder in some water and then put in tank. i've done 20 gallons worth of water change in last week, plan on doing 10 more today. what can high Kh due to an aquarium? My 4 clownfish are happy and active and two urchin are quit healthy as well.

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05-13-2008, 01:08 AM	#3 (permalink)
mandown123 Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Staten Island, NY Posts: 297	herndo - i have a titration alk test. i do one vial then divide by 2 and thats the m/eq whatever then multiply by 2.8 to get dkh dont know if that helps

05-13-2008, 09:41 AM	#7 (permalink)
Herndo Aquarium Advice Apprentice Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Lexington SC Posts: 21 Images: 3	Hagen Carbonate/Total Hardness Test Kit Hagen's user-friendly test kits are the answer for today's aquarist. They are easy to use, fast, accurate, and conveniently packaged with simple, easy to follow instructions. Each test kit includes reagent(s), one glass test tube with cap, one pipette, one lab base, and instruction booklet. For fresh/saltwater. Number of tests depends on water conditions. http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...6&pcatid=13526

05-13-2008, 10:29 AM	#8 (permalink)
Kurt_Nelson Aquarium Advice Addict Community Mentor Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: WA Posts: 2,014 Images: 28	Test the water you're getting from the LFS and find out its alkalinity. They could be buffering it up for whatever reason. If that's the case, no amount of water changes will bring it down. Alkalinity in the range you're talking about will not cause any major issues with fish... I think. I'll let the chemistry experts deal with that one. All I know is that high alkalinity will effect your calcium levels in your tank, and keeping them balanced is important to maintain the correct calcium levels for any corals you might have. If you don't have corals, then it's probably not that big of a deal. Sounds like maybe you over corrected with the buffer you added.