ALK is way to high Help needed

funny718 · Jun 13, 2010

I Think I have a huge problem my ALK is way to high for some time now and dont know how to get it down. I did search the forums and it say leave it and will go down it self but this is not happing at, been like this for 2 months, coarls are not dying or anything but are not growin and I have about 20 SPS frag in my 120g tek tank bb with 30g sump.
also saw somthing about doing water change right now every tuesday i do a WC of 15g is this to much or to little to bring the ALK down plz help i just want to get it to around 8-9dkh not 15.4. Also i havent dose anything into the tank well phytoplankton about once a week could this be the cuase and i also use an ro/di system and reef crystals salt.

Thanx in advance

dkh 15.4
cal 500
pH 8.1-8.2
Sg 1.025
Temp 79-80F
Mag 1400
Phosphates 0 undetectable Salifert Test
Nitrates 0 undetectable Salifert Test
Nitrites 0 undetectable Salifert Test

funny718 · Jun 13, 2010

never mind i got it down with a big WC.

650-IS350 · Jun 13, 2010

water change or if you ever heard of using small amounts of seltzer water to lower it.

gilmour01 · Jun 13, 2010

you probably shouldnt drop it all at once, but gradually with a few smaller water changes.

RBursek · Jun 13, 2010

I am surprized even with RC salt that it is 15Alk, I would think a testing error, since according to the last salt test RC Alk ran 13 at 1.0264SG, I use RC and mix to 1.025SG and my Alk runs about 11 with API test kit. I never heard about selzer water to lower Alk, just PH from the CO2 in it, but may have learned something new.

lReef lKeeper · Jun 13, 2010

lowering it that fast was probably not a good idea, slower is always better in this hobby. keep us posted on the status of your corals.

funny718 · Jun 13, 2010

thanx guys for ur help i only did another 15g water change and saw it drop down to 13dkh so i knew that was the way to go so right now its still at 13dkh ill do another water change in a day or so and see if it comes down some more.