high alkalinity

[105man]

My reef and fish tank just tested at 7 meq/l alkalinity...which apparently is high, but I don't know whether being high is a problem...most of what's talked about is dealing with low alkalinity.

I did notice my PH had dropped a little...it had been about 8.2 the last time I tested, and now is between 7.8-8.0

Calcium, using two different test kits, is between 360-400.

All other tests are excellent.

What would you suggest?

[Phantom Phish]

Take a look at this article by Randy Holmes-Farley (www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/nov2002/chem.htm). It's one of the best I've found on dealing with calcium and alkalinity problems, and easy to understand. If you look at that article you're way up in zone 3. It sounds like you're headed for some large water changes, as your calcium and alkalinity are way out of balance. That or trying to get back in balance with a calcium chloride additive, such as Kents turbo calcium and then waiting for levels to naturally fall back into normal reef ranges. HTH

[105man]

Interesting article. I use the B-Ionic Calcium Buffer System, which is 2 parts: one part is alkalinity, the other is calcium.

Should I stop using?...or should I reduce the dose of the alkalinity by half?

I had been using the 2 parts several times a week.

[Phantom Phish]

Your problem is that your alkalinity is way high, while your calcium is slightly low, or in other words, they are out of balance. For a reef tank you want to work on bringing your alkalinity down to the 2.5-4.0 meq/l range, and boost your calcium up to the 400-450 ppm range. I wouldn't add any alkalinity at all for now.

If I were you, I think I'd do some water changes with a good balanced salt mix. What salt are you currently using?

[105man]

Red sea salt.

Can I add just the calcium part of B-Ionic without the alkalinity part?

[tdwyatt]

yup, might be cheaper with usp grade CaCl2 powder and make yer own.

[Doug1]

Calcium Chloride? isn't there a commercially available product that is outside the aquarium trade, that one could use to raise calcium levels, then resume the 2 part once the parameters are in line?

[tdwyatt]

Originally posted by Doug1
Calcium Chloride? isn't there a commercially available product that is outside the aquarium trade, that one could use to raise calcium levels, then resume the 2 part once the parameters are in line?

The idea here is correct, but I am a little hesitant to recommend the pool products or the ice melting stuff, as who knows what other items you'll be adding to your system. I know USP grade CaCl2 will work fine, and you can prolly get it cheaply enough on the Internet. I have seen it advertized in some of the print media ads (FAMA comes to mind) by the pound, this would be more than a gracious plenty for most reefers.

hth

[105man]

So, do I understand the collective advice to be to add just the calcium part of the B-Ionic (say, 2-3 times a week), and not add the alkalinity part at all for a while?

Im sure you know this, but the part labeled alkalinity says it raises alk by .74 meq/L....the part for calcium, the contents of which are chloride, calcium, mag, potass, strontium, and others, says it raises calcium concentration by 16ppm.

I wasn't sure that you could just use the calcium part, but I guess so.

[tdwyatt]

yup...