Alk from 8.75 -> 10.2

[BudgetR33f]

My alk went from 8.75 dkh (yesterday) to 10.2 dkh (today). While not on purpose, my salinity also fell ~.001. Calc and mag are still roughly the same from yesterday (calc.: 405 -> 405, mag.: 1175 -> 1200). I’ve only had the salifert test kit for a couple days now, so it is possible that the one i did yesterday was wrong and this one is right. even But my old kit still showed around 8.6. Any answers?

 

[crazyfishmom]

My alk went from 8.75 dkh (yesterday) to 10.2 dkh (today). While not on purpose, my salinity also fell ~.001. Calc and mag are still roughly the same from yesterday (calc.: 405 -> 405, mag.: 1175 -> 1200). I’ve only had the salifert test kit for a couple days now, so it is possible that the one i did yesterday was wrong and this one is right. even But my old kit still showed around 8.6. Any answers?

Have you confirmed that today’s results are accurate by repeating the test a couple of times? Have you tested fresh saltwater mix? Do you dose?

 

[BudgetR33f]

Have you confirmed that today’s results are accurate by repeating the test a couple of times? Have you tested fresh saltwater mix? Do you dose?

I did the test 4 times all showing around 10 dkh. I also technically did a water change on sunday while i was acclimating new fish, but the test the day after at the same time still showed 8.75. I do dose

 

[crazyfishmom]

I did the test 4 times all showing around 10 dkh. I also technically did a water change on sunday while i was acclimating new fish, but the test the day after at the same time still showed 8.75. I do dose

What are you dosing with? Have your nutrients climbed recently? Alkalinity consumption can decrease significantly if phosphates go up quickly which can then lead to spikes.

 

[Miami Reef]

What salt mix do you use? Can you test the alk in new saltwater? If the alk result matches the specification of the salt brand, then it’s likely the kit is accurate; thus, so would the 10dKH result.

 

[BudgetR33f]

What are you dosing with? Have your nutrients climbed recently? Alkalinity consumption can decrease significantly if phosphates go up quickly which can then lead to spikes.

Dosing 2ml all for reef, I’ll test phosphate and nitrate which are probably higher because i just went from one to 2 clownfish on sunday. However, i still dont believe it would cause alk to jump that much because even with my one clownfish i only had .3 dkh consumption

 

[BudgetR33f]

What salt mix do you use? Can you test the alk in new saltwater? If the alk result matches the specification of the salt brand, then it’s likely the kit is accurate, thus, so would be the 10dKH result.

I use red sea blue bucket, ill test alk in the mix i used now

 

[crazyfishmom]

Dosing 2ml all for reef, I’ll test phosphate and nitrate which are probably higher because i just went from one to 2 clownfish on sunday. However, i still dont believe it would cause alk to jump that much because even with my one clownfish i only had .3 dkh consumption

I had a similar situation with AFR where my consumption dropped overnight from 1.5 dkh a day to about 0.6 dkh. I was able to tie it to a spike in phosphate levels. As soon as phosphates went down, dkh went back up. I am lucky that I ahead continuous monitoring and saw that my alkalinity was increasing so I backed off on my dose by quite a bit and that helped me maintain stability. I had been dosing 150 mL of AFR and had to go down to 60 for a few days. Back up to 150 now.

 

[Miami Reef]

because even with my one clownfish i only had .3 dkh consumption

Do you keep coral? If so, what types?

 

[BudgetR33f]

What salt mix do you use? Can you test the alk in new saltwater? If the alk result matches the specification of the salt brand, then it’s likely the kit is accurate; thus, so would the 10dKH result.

The mix is also 8.75

 

[BudgetR33f]

I had a similar situation with AFR where my consumption dropped overnight from 1.5 dkh a day to about 0.6 dkh. I was able to tie it to a spike in phosphate levels. As soon as phosphates went down, dkh went back up. I am lucky that I ahead continuous monitoring and saw that my alkalinity was increasing so I backed off on my dose by quite a bit and that helped me maintain stability. I had been dosing 150 mL of AFR and had to go down to 60 for a few days. Back up to 150 now.

Testing nutrients now

 

[BudgetR33f]

Do you keep coral? If so, what types?

Euphyllia, zoas, anacropora, monti cap, toadstool leather, (dying) goni, and gsp

 

[BudgetR33f]

I had a similar situation with AFR where my consumption dropped overnight from 1.5 dkh a day to about 0.6 dkh. I was able to tie it to a spike in phosphate levels. As soon as phosphates went down, dkh went back up. I am lucky that I ahead continuous monitoring and saw that my alkalinity was increasing so I backed off on my dose by quite a bit and that helped me maintain stability. I had been dosing 150 mL of AFR and had to go down to 60 for a few days. Back up to 150 now.

nitrates are around 2, testing posphate atm

 

[Miami Reef]

The mix is also 8.75

It’s a little higher than the specification. Perhaps you are striving for more color in the vial than is necessary. It should be the first hint of a color change.

IMO Your alk in the display should be in the mid-9 range, assuming you made the salt mix around 35ppt.

7-11dKH is a good target range. You are doing great. You can reduce the dose or temporarily stop, if you’d like. I wouldn’t worry about the nutrients stopping consumption, unless they are too low.

Adding a small clownfish shouldn’t cause a nutrient spike.

 

[BudgetR33f]

It’s a little higher than the specification. Perhaps you are striving for more color in the vial than is necessary. It should be the first hint of a color change.

IMO Your alk in the display should be in the mid-9 range, assuming you made the salt mix around 35ppt.

7-11dKH is a good target range. You are doing great. You can reduce the dose or temporarily stop, if you’d like. I wouldn’t worry about the nutrients stopping consumption, unless they are too low.

Adding a small clownfish shouldn’t cause a nutrient spike.

I’ve been going until the vial shows pure pink, otherwise it will just show grey with a small hint of pink. Is that wrong?

 

[crazyfishmom]

I’ve been going until the vial shows pure pink, otherwise it will just show grey with a small hint of pink. Is that wrong?

Titration should be considered final when you have a color change. If you over saturate you may over estimating. You add a drop and mix, if the color goes back to what it was before then you add another, mix and see if there’s a change. Going to fully pink is over shooting the test.

 

[BudgetR33f]

Titration should be considered final when you have a color change. If you over saturate you may over estimating. You add a drop and mix, if the color goes back to what it was before then you add another, mix and see if there’s a change. Going to fully pink is over shooting the test.

Ok thank you. That would make more sense.

 

[Miami Reef]

I’ve been going until the vial shows pure pink, otherwise it will just show grey with a small hint of pink. Is that wrong?

Have you always used Salifert to test alkalinity or did you switch from a different alk test brand?

 

[Miami Reef]

I find the Red Sea Blue Alkalinity to be spot on 8dKH. I think it’s a decent reference point. You only need to make sure the salinity is 35ppt (1.0264 s/g).

 

[BudgetR33f]

Have you always used Salifert to test alkalinity or did you switch from a different alk test brand?

Use salifert for everything except phopshate and sometimes nitrate (i have hanna and salifert for nitrate)