Alk Level - Aquarium Advice

ClaytonMG · 08-12-2007, 11:10 PM

I'm new here, I've been using this site for advice for about 2 months now since that's when I got into saltwater aquariums. The only thing I haven't been able to find is what to do if the alkinity is too high. I know that if you add a buffer, it will raise the alk to a safe level, but what if it's too high? Is there such a thing as too high? I have a 20 gallon tank and the alk is high but the PH is normal. So far I haven't had any problems with any of my fish (2 dwarf angels, 2 ocellaris clownfish and a chocolate chip starfish). So if anyone could that would be awesome! Thank you!

ccCapt · 08-12-2007, 11:18 PM

What do you consider high? And what is your calcium?

ClaytonMG · 08-12-2007, 11:33 PM

According to the test from Red Sea, my Alk is at around 3.6. I don't have a calcium test, didn't even realize that I needed one until a little bit ago. I'll have to get one on Wednesday, but will my fish be alright at this level? They've been in there for 2 months now without any problems...

Kurt_Nelson · 08-13-2007, 01:39 AM

3.6 meq/l is not high at all. In fact, it's right about where you want it. 3.6 meq/l is equivalent to about 10 dkH, if you're looking at other alkalinity scales. Not sure why you thought it was high. Are you looking at charts for freshwater, perhaps?

Here's a link for "ideal" water parameters: (saltwater is at the bottom of the page)

http://www.peteducation.com/article....articleid=3355

ClaytonMG · 08-13-2007, 04:59 PM

I will read exactly what this card says:

Low 0-1.6
Normal 1.7 - 2.8
High 2.9-3.6

It's from Red Sea and it says "Marine Aquariums" at the top so I am assuming its for saltwater aquariums... But thank you for the link, it's actually very helpful.

Kurt_Nelson · 08-13-2007, 08:27 PM

Wow! As you can tell, I've never used Red Sea kits! I think Red Sea needs to add some clarification to what it means by "high". Granted, I suppose those figures could be considered "high", but I think most equate "high" with dangerous - as you did. In this case, "high" is good.

Or maybe Red Sea salt mix has "normal" alkalinity (by their definition) and it's a marketing thing?

ClaytonMG · 08-13-2007, 10:09 PM

Well basically what I got out of it is exactly what you said, "high" is bad. If you read their instruction manual, it says that the ocean's natural alkinity is around 2.2 which would be in their "normal" range. So I just figured 3.6 is probably not that good then...

Innovator · 08-13-2007, 10:47 PM

Aquariums (reefs) benefit from a higher meq/L between 3.0 - 4.5 considering the bioloads we tend to maintain. Higher alk readings actually induce calcification.

08-12-2007, 11:10 PM	#1
ClaytonMG Aquarium Advice Newbie Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 8	Alk Level I'm new here, I've been using this site for advice for about 2 months now since that's when I got into saltwater aquariums. The only thing I haven't been able to find is what to do if the alkinity is too high. I know that if you add a buffer, it will raise the alk to a safe level, but what if it's too high? Is there such a thing as too high? I have a 20 gallon tank and the alk is high but the PH is normal. So far I haven't had any problems with any of my fish (2 dwarf angels, 2 ocellaris clownfish and a chocolate chip starfish). So if anyone could that would be awesome! Thank you!

08-12-2007, 11:18 PM	#2
ccCapt SW 10 & Over Community Mentor Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Northeast PA Posts: 1,861 Images: 3	What do you consider high? And what is your calcium? __________________ 125g reef See My Tank Info Check out The build project /Larry

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08-12-2007, 11:33 PM	#3
ClaytonMG Aquarium Advice Newbie Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 8	According to the test from Red Sea, my Alk is at around 3.6. I don't have a calcium test, didn't even realize that I needed one until a little bit ago. I'll have to get one on Wednesday, but will my fish be alright at this level? They've been in there for 2 months now without any problems...

08-13-2007, 04:59 PM	#5
ClaytonMG Aquarium Advice Newbie Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 8	I will read exactly what this card says: Low 0-1.6 Normal 1.7 - 2.8 High 2.9-3.6 It's from Red Sea and it says "Marine Aquariums" at the top so I am assuming its for saltwater aquariums... But thank you for the link, it's actually very helpful.

08-13-2007, 10:09 PM	#7
ClaytonMG Aquarium Advice Newbie Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 8	Well basically what I got out of it is exactly what you said, "high" is bad. If you read their instruction manual, it says that the ocean's natural alkinity is around 2.2 which would be in their "normal" range. So I just figured 3.6 is probably not that good then...

08-13-2007, 10:47 PM	#8
Innovator Aquarium Advice Addict Community Mentor Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 1,597	Aquariums (reefs) benefit from a higher meq/L between 3.0 - 4.5 considering the bioloads we tend to maintain. Higher alk readings actually induce calcification.