Testing Alk and using baking soda to increase

[Nman]

Hi I’ve just changed all my test kits to salfert and when testing alk when it changes colour what is left in the syringe you compare how many ml you have left in the syringe and then look at the chart to tell you what your Alk is . I have 1and half ml which says on the chart 15.3 . Am I doing this test correct. Also you will of covered this but if I was to increase Alk can I use baking soda I don’t know much about the use of it . Thanks everyone nman

 

[Saltyreef]

Be sure you are looking at dkh.
If its 15 its way too high.
You need to let it drop. What salt mix are you using and what are you using to test the salinity?

 

[biom]

Here BRS video how to use Salifert test
It is is not possible to have 1.5ml left, the syringe is 1ml

 

[Nman]

Salt instant ocean and tmc refractometer . Salinity has always 1.023 but was letting evaporation take it up slowly to 1.025 when it reaches this then put on the auto top up which keeps salinity bang on . Her is a photo of instructions

 

[Nman]

Here BRS video how to use Salifert test
It is is not possible to have 1.5ml left, the syringe is 1ml

Sorry 0.02 which on the chart says 15.3 if Iam looking at it right

 

[jsker]

You do not want to adding baking soda directly out of the box.

Here is some information
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/raising-alkalinity-with-baking-soda.420962/post-4905495

 

[Nman]

Sorry 0.02 which on the chart says 15.3 if Iam looking at it right

Hi biom link doesn’t open

 

[Saltyreef]

Here BRS video how to use Salifert test
It is is not possible to have 1.5ml left, the syringe is 1ml

Good point. Didnt catch that lol.

15dkh would be .02 left in the syringe

 

[Nman]

You do not want to adding baking soda directly out of the box.

Here is some information
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/raising-alkalinity-with-baking-soda.420962/post-4905495

Thanks for the info

Good point. Didnt catch that lol.

15dkh would be .02 left in the syringe

View attachment 3089840

no he’s got a good set of eyes lol sorry was 0.02

 

[Saltyreef]

So you got 15dkh alkalinity without dosing anything. I would assume you are unknowingly mixing your salt water at too high of a PPT thinking its lower.
Common issue with an uncalibrated salinity measuring tool.

Or you are using a pro salt with elevated alk.

Can you clarify?

 

[biom]

Hi biom link doesn’t open

Hmm sorry, I am not very good in posting links obviously
Maybe just Google it: Salifert Alkalinity Reef Tank Test Kits: Trusted, Affordable ...

Just be sure taking exactly 1 ml of the solution and dont wait the color change to deep pink - lilak is ok

 

[Nman]

So you got 15dkh alkalinity without dosing anything. I would assume you are unknowingly mixing your salt water at too high of a PPT thinking its lower.
Common issue with an uncalibrated salinity measuring tool.

Or you are using a pro salt with elevated alk.

Can you clarify?

No instant ocean mixed at temp 78 and 800gr of salt to 23litres that when fully mixed salinity 1.023 . Give me 10 minutes and I will test again

 

[Nman]

Hmm sorry, I am not very good in posting links obviously
Maybe just Google it: Salifert Alkalinity Reef Tank Test Kits: Trusted, Affordable ...

Just be sure taking exactly 1 ml of the solution and dont wait the color change to deep pink - lilak is ok

Thanks for your help you and all others

 

[Saltyreef]

No instant ocean mixed at temp 78 and 800gr of salt to 23litres that when fully mixed salinity 1.023 . Give me 10 minutes and I will test again

Are you simply going by weight of salt and volume of water? Or are you verifying with a meter of some sort?

That looks normal but if you are using tap water, thats another possible reason. Tap water has high alkalinity.

 

[Nman]

Are you simply going by weight of salt and volume of water? Or are you verifying with a meter of some sort?

That looks normal but if you are using tap water, thats another possible reason. Tap water has high alkalinity. I think you might of hit it on the head

Saltyreef you might of hit it on the head I’ve been using tap water for 7 months lol you could definitely be right . Looks like no raising but lowering. Yep you boys are good never thought. I’ve got a 4 stage RO coming Monday when I had marine years ago I had a ro so why not now though I was getting away with it lol . Did the test same again . Photos attached and thank you everybody for your help on this

same result 0.01 sky high then

I just weigh the salt and I have a tub marked 23 litres or am I doing that wrong done it like that for years lol

 

[Saltyreef]

Saltyreef you might of hit it on the head I’ve been using tap water for 7 months lol you could definitely be right . Looks like no raising but lowering. Yep you boys are good never thought. I’ve got a 4 stage RO coming Monday when I had marine years ago I had a ro so why not now though I was getting away with it lol . Did the test same again . Photos attached and thank you everybody for your help on this View attachment 3089871View attachment 3089874View attachment 3089881View attachment 3089885View attachment 3089893same result 0.01 sky high then View attachment 3089868I just weigh the salt and I have a tub marked 23 litres or am I doing that wrong done it like that for years lol

Awesome! Glad we could help. Deductive reasoning lol.

I always opted for the glacier water machines at the store. Even RO from a burnt out membrane is more favorable than tap water.

If you need help setting up the RODI just ping us again!

 

[Nman]

Awesome! Glad we could help. Deductive reasoning lol.

I always opted for the glacier water machines at the store. Even RO from a burnt out membrane is more favorable than tap water.

If you need help setting up the RODI just ping us again!

Thanks very much I need my hands slapped should of nown better thanks again salty reef and everybody for your input. Great guys spot on nman Going to post a YouTube video

 

[Nman]

 

[Nman]

Best place for API test kits LoL

 

[biom]

The good news is you dont need to dose baking soda anytime soon lol.
Joke aside I am sure you are quite aware but 15+ kH could be dangerous if here are any corals