Salifert Alk test reads 5.60 alk!

[AuntKaren]

We have been having nitrate problems in our 24G nano Reef tank with 3" LS and 26 lb LR. Inhabitants are 2 small chromis, 2- 1 1/2"crabs, 5 tiny blueleg crabs and 5 snails with one skunk cleaner shrimp. 1 frogspawn coral, 1 colt coral, 1 ricordea frag and one zoo frag.

Salinity - 1.025
pH - 8.0
Ammonia - 0
Temp - 78
Nitrate - .80
Nitrite - 0
alk - 5.6 (in meq/L)
KH - 15.7

We have gotten the pH up from 7.8 using PH8.3 Marine buffer and water changes erased the ammonia (.25) and nitrite levels (.25). It took a week to get our alk test but today it arrived and the results are posted above.

So.... what do we do next?

We have Reef Advantage Calcium, and Reef Builder (raises Carbonate Alkalinity).

Do we add both the reef builder and the Reef advantage on the same day? If not, which do we do first?

[unleashed]

accually dont add any alk buffers your levels are on he high side as per my instructions for saliferts alk test kit.are you testing cal levels? those should be at range of 350-450

[AuntKaren]

um the nitrates are 80 not .8 We're workin on it, we're workin on it!

[AuntKaren]

Well, after 5 water changes of 25% we finally have levels approaching the acceptable range. As soon as the levels are where they are supposed to be we will test more often and not have to catch up anything

[Whoyah]

A couple questions:

Have you tested for calcium? I am curious what it is at, probably on the low side. Raising the calcium should help lower the alk.

Have you tested the alk of the of the new water used for water changes? Hopefully it should be in the accpetable range noted earlier. If not you will be constantly battling this problem.

Once you get your alk down it will be much easier to adjust your pH levels. Just as an FYI, I keep my alk at around 9.5 and pH bounces from 8.15 (morning) to 8.35 (night). Also I use Kent 2 part to maintain my levels on alk and calcuim.

Good luck.

[unleashed]

A couple questions:

Have you tested for calcium? I am curious what it is at, probably on the low side. Raising the calcium should help lower the alk.

Have you tested the alk of the of the new water used for water changes? Hopefully it should be in the accpetable range noted earlier. If not you will be constantly battling this problem.

Once you get your alk down it will be much easier to adjust your pH levels. Just as an FYI, I keep my alk at around 9.5 and pH bounces from 8.15 (morning) to 8.35 (night). Also I use Kent 2 part to maintain my levels on alk and calcuim.

Good luck. how are you testing you alk at those levels the salifert test kit doesnt go that high up.as shown above.DK range does however but if look closely 9.5 dk is within good ranges

[RWalston]

Try reading some of these articles

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2002-04/rhf/feature/index.php

[RWalston]

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-12/rhf/index.php

[RWalston]

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-05/rhf/index.php

[RWalston]

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-09/rhf/index.php

[RWalston]

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/nov2002/chem.htm

[RWalston]

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/feb2003/chem.htm