Alk/DKH to high, and why? - Page 3

Pro_builder · 11-26-2006, 03:55 AM

Boomer,
I may feel really stupid after this post and your answer.....

I just came in the house and my wife was vaccumning the floor next to the tank and also in the basement near the sump. No big deal, till I found out that she was using that Arm n Hammer Baking soda carpet fresh. Now don't get me wrong here it wasn't just a sprinkle here and a sprinkle there. The floor was white!!

So, I look at the box, it has Baking soda in it, to nuetralize the odors......... Now she vaccumns Everyday, after I leave for work.

Would this be enough baking soda getting in the air to cause this problem with the Alk?
Needless to say, she doesn't use anything on the carpet from now on. I threw the box away!

I figure I need to let the tank sit for awhile to let it come down and wo a test on it after a week, then 2 weeks to see were I am at then.

What is your take on all of this??????

Boomer · 11-26-2006, 11:21 AM

Nope Troy the wife is safe "I think"

She would have to be sprinkling it in the tank all most, as if it was the floor.. Putting it on the floor would not produce enough dust to raise the Alk that much and then there is that calcium rising and there is no calcium in BS. 1`teaspoon in 50 gal will rise the Alk 1 dkh and your alk is going upo like 2-3dHK. Your tank we will say is like 200 gals net water, so 200 / 50 = 4 x 2 or 3 = 8-12 tsps she would have to get in the tank. Based on your posts that is like here putting in 3-4 tsps / day. Maybe she is being a good wife and helping you with your pH by dumping some of the box in the sump

Maybe there is a Baking Soda Fariy in your house

Pro_builder · 11-26-2006, 11:54 AM

ok, just a thought.

Pro_builder · 11-30-2006, 11:24 AM

Here are the param's for RO water:
pH: 6.5
Alk: 1 DKH
Ca++: 25 ppm
Orp: 225

Tap water:
pH 6.65
Alk: 1.25 DKH
Orp: 275

Pro_builder · 11-30-2006, 11:29 AM

The LFS that I bought 30 lbs of my LR from uses Kalkwasser and Purple up in his tanks.
Could the purple up be adding to my problems with just this small amount of his LR addition? I alny have 30 lbs of his and 120 lbs of International Marines LR.

I still haven't done a water change since 11/5/2006, almost a month, at that point I did a 90 gallon water change, since I had the green water problem.

Pro_builder · 11-30-2006, 11:33 AM

If my problem is from the purple up that he uses, how do I get rid of it?
Also, my pH is riding drastically (at least me me), It never gets below 8.27 and risies to 8.35 durning the daytime (lights on). Any good ways to drop this? I have my fuge lights on reverse of the tank.
Also, starting to get the slime algae back, just in case that is an indicator of something that might help.

Boomer · 11-30-2006, 12:19 PM

Your pH is perfect, most wish they had that. NSW is 8.3

Your RO is also Ok.

It may be the PU I don't know. But I do not see it being the PU, not just from some LR and all the WC' you have done. It is not the kalk he used. If it is the PU it will work itself out of the system in time but I do not buy the PU theory in your case.

Pro_builder · 11-30-2006, 12:21 PM

ok, thanks, should I resume my water change schedule then? Or let it sit for a while longer?

lgerold · 12-03-2006, 12:55 PM

Hi!

What about your salinity? Do you trust your reading? I mention this because my calcium was running very high, and I couldn't get it down. I found out that my salinity readings were way off - reading much lower than actual. So, as I corrected (lowered) my salinity the calcium level dropped into normal range.

Justa thought...

Pro_builder · 12-03-2006, 04:39 PM

Salinity is right on at 1.026 by a Refractometer and LFS Refractometer.

Pro_builder · 12-21-2006, 11:32 AM

Just an update Boomer.
pH 8.02
Orp 325
Temp 79
Alk 12.2
Ca++ 480
The Alk is dropping, but the Ca++ is still up there a long ways, but also dropping from the previous. All suppliments are still turned off and the water changes have not been done.
I am wandering if I shouldn't do a water change to try to raise the pH back were it should be? Or, is there a better way to raise the pH with out raising anything else?
Thanks in advance

Pro_builder · 12-24-2006, 04:27 PM

Okay Boomer,
I have finally gotten my parameters down were they are supposed to be... ...I think.
Orp 308
Temp 79
Alk 10.75
Ca++ 425
But, the pH I can't get above 7.99 and keep it there. I am dropping to 7.5 at night, with fuge light on and 7.99 during the day just before the lights go off.

Any suggestions on this? Or do I just need to resume the water changes?

Boomer · 12-25-2006, 01:20 PM

What did you do or did you do anything to make that nice pH you had drop ?

Pro_builder · 12-25-2006, 01:29 PM

I haven't done anything yet, including no water changes.
It has been over a month since I did a water change, there has been no new additions to the tank, but the coraline has really started to grow on the LR and back glass.
The skimmer has almost stopped producing much skimmate too, which I figure is because of the cleanliness of the crystal clear water. he he he lol
my orp is down to about 275 right now, with a pH of 7.96.

Should I start dripping Kalk again?

Pro_builder · 12-25-2006, 01:38 PM

Maybe I should switch salt brands now????? Since I am still running the Junk brand.... ....IO.

11-26-2006, 03:55 AM	#31 (permalink)
Pro_builder DIY Moderator Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Oxford, Iowa Posts: 1,746 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Alk/DKH to high, and why? Boomer, I may feel really stupid after this post and your answer..... I just came in the house and my wife was vaccumning the floor next to the tank and also in the basement near the sump. No big deal, till I found out that she was using that Arm n Hammer Baking soda carpet fresh. Now don't get me wrong here it wasn't just a sprinkle here and a sprinkle there. The floor was white!! So, I look at the box, it has Baking soda in it, to nuetralize the odors......... Now she vaccumns Everyday, after I leave for work. Would this be enough baking soda getting in the air to cause this problem with the Alk? Needless to say, she doesn't use anything on the carpet from now on. I threw the box away! I figure I need to let the tank sit for awhile to let it come down and wo a test on it after a week, then 2 weeks to see were I am at then. What is your take on all of this?????? __________________ -Troy 180 gallon Reef, 3- 250 XM 15K MH Electronic ballast, 380 watts VHO Actinics, 2- 5 watt LED Moon lights, 100 gal rubbermaid sump, 75 gallon Fuge, ETSS 600 Skimmer, 4700-5400 gph pump for return, Octopus 3000 controller, Iwaki 40 RL skimmer pump, 2- 65w PC 10K fuge lights, 2 55 gallon barrels, Custom light oak stand and hood, misc pumps, extra 600 gallon rated tank size protein skimmer. Purple tang, yellow tang, pacific blue tang, 2 green chromis, 1 Sand sifting star, snails, hermit crabs, 2 mated perculas, pulsing Xenia, Anenome, mushrooms, ricordia, zoanthids, kenya tree 1 1/2" tall, misc other hitchhiker stuff. DIY is my dream... ...well OK the only way I can afford this Addiction!! Just as the light goes on in my head... ... I break the bulb!!

11-26-2006, 11:21 AM	#32 (permalink)
Boomer Reef Sanctuary's Mr. Wizard Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Duluth, Minnesota Posts: 2,201 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Alk/DKH to high, and why? Nope Troy the wife is safe "I think" She would have to be sprinkling it in the tank all most, as if it was the floor.. Putting it on the floor would not produce enough dust to raise the Alk that much and then there is that calcium rising and there is no calcium in BS. 1`teaspoon in 50 gal will rise the Alk 1 dkh and your alk is going upo like 2-3dHK. Your tank we will say is like 200 gals net water, so 200 / 50 = 4 x 2 or 3 = 8-12 tsps she would have to get in the tank. Based on your posts that is like here putting in 3-4 tsps / day. Maybe she is being a good wife and helping you with your pH by dumping some of the box in the sump Maybe there is a Baking Soda Fariy in your house __________________ Boomer Want to Talk Chemistry ! The Reef Chemistry Forum Want to See More ! The Coral Realm If you See Me Running You Better Catch-Up An explosion can be defined as a loud noise, accompanied by the sudden going away of things, from a place where they use to be.

11-26-2006, 11:54 AM	#33 (permalink)
Pro_builder DIY Moderator Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Oxford, Iowa Posts: 1,746 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Alk/DKH to high, and why? ok, just a thought. __________________ -Troy 180 gallon Reef, 3- 250 XM 15K MH Electronic ballast, 380 watts VHO Actinics, 2- 5 watt LED Moon lights, 100 gal rubbermaid sump, 75 gallon Fuge, ETSS 600 Skimmer, 4700-5400 gph pump for return, Octopus 3000 controller, Iwaki 40 RL skimmer pump, 2- 65w PC 10K fuge lights, 2 55 gallon barrels, Custom light oak stand and hood, misc pumps, extra 600 gallon rated tank size protein skimmer. Purple tang, yellow tang, pacific blue tang, 2 green chromis, 1 Sand sifting star, snails, hermit crabs, 2 mated perculas, pulsing Xenia, Anenome, mushrooms, ricordia, zoanthids, kenya tree 1 1/2" tall, misc other hitchhiker stuff. DIY is my dream... ...well OK the only way I can afford this Addiction!! Just as the light goes on in my head... ... I break the bulb!!

11-30-2006, 11:24 AM	#34 (permalink)
Pro_builder DIY Moderator Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Oxford, Iowa Posts: 1,746 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Alk/DKH to high, and why? Here are the param's for RO water: pH: 6.5 Alk: 1 DKH Ca++: 25 ppm Orp: 225 Tap water: pH 6.65 Alk: 1.25 DKH Orp: 275 __________________ -Troy 180 gallon Reef, 3- 250 XM 15K MH Electronic ballast, 380 watts VHO Actinics, 2- 5 watt LED Moon lights, 100 gal rubbermaid sump, 75 gallon Fuge, ETSS 600 Skimmer, 4700-5400 gph pump for return, Octopus 3000 controller, Iwaki 40 RL skimmer pump, 2- 65w PC 10K fuge lights, 2 55 gallon barrels, Custom light oak stand and hood, misc pumps, extra 600 gallon rated tank size protein skimmer. Purple tang, yellow tang, pacific blue tang, 2 green chromis, 1 Sand sifting star, snails, hermit crabs, 2 mated perculas, pulsing Xenia, Anenome, mushrooms, ricordia, zoanthids, kenya tree 1 1/2" tall, misc other hitchhiker stuff. DIY is my dream... ...well OK the only way I can afford this Addiction!! Just as the light goes on in my head... ... I break the bulb!!

11-30-2006, 11:29 AM	#35 (permalink)
Pro_builder DIY Moderator Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Oxford, Iowa Posts: 1,746 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Alk/DKH to high, and why? The LFS that I bought 30 lbs of my LR from uses Kalkwasser and Purple up in his tanks. Could the purple up be adding to my problems with just this small amount of his LR addition? I alny have 30 lbs of his and 120 lbs of International Marines LR. I still haven't done a water change since 11/5/2006, almost a month, at that point I did a 90 gallon water change, since I had the green water problem. __________________ -Troy 180 gallon Reef, 3- 250 XM 15K MH Electronic ballast, 380 watts VHO Actinics, 2- 5 watt LED Moon lights, 100 gal rubbermaid sump, 75 gallon Fuge, ETSS 600 Skimmer, 4700-5400 gph pump for return, Octopus 3000 controller, Iwaki 40 RL skimmer pump, 2- 65w PC 10K fuge lights, 2 55 gallon barrels, Custom light oak stand and hood, misc pumps, extra 600 gallon rated tank size protein skimmer. Purple tang, yellow tang, pacific blue tang, 2 green chromis, 1 Sand sifting star, snails, hermit crabs, 2 mated perculas, pulsing Xenia, Anenome, mushrooms, ricordia, zoanthids, kenya tree 1 1/2" tall, misc other hitchhiker stuff. DIY is my dream... ...well OK the only way I can afford this Addiction!! Just as the light goes on in my head... ... I break the bulb!!

11-30-2006, 11:33 AM	#36 (permalink)
Pro_builder DIY Moderator Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Oxford, Iowa Posts: 1,746 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Alk/DKH to high, and why? If my problem is from the purple up that he uses, how do I get rid of it? Also, my pH is riding drastically (at least me me), It never gets below 8.27 and risies to 8.35 durning the daytime (lights on). Any good ways to drop this? I have my fuge lights on reverse of the tank. Also, starting to get the slime algae back, just in case that is an indicator of something that might help. __________________ -Troy 180 gallon Reef, 3- 250 XM 15K MH Electronic ballast, 380 watts VHO Actinics, 2- 5 watt LED Moon lights, 100 gal rubbermaid sump, 75 gallon Fuge, ETSS 600 Skimmer, 4700-5400 gph pump for return, Octopus 3000 controller, Iwaki 40 RL skimmer pump, 2- 65w PC 10K fuge lights, 2 55 gallon barrels, Custom light oak stand and hood, misc pumps, extra 600 gallon rated tank size protein skimmer. Purple tang, yellow tang, pacific blue tang, 2 green chromis, 1 Sand sifting star, snails, hermit crabs, 2 mated perculas, pulsing Xenia, Anenome, mushrooms, ricordia, zoanthids, kenya tree 1 1/2" tall, misc other hitchhiker stuff. DIY is my dream... ...well OK the only way I can afford this Addiction!! Just as the light goes on in my head... ... I break the bulb!!

11-30-2006, 12:19 PM	#37 (permalink)
Boomer Reef Sanctuary's Mr. Wizard Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Duluth, Minnesota Posts: 2,201 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Alk/DKH to high, and why? Your pH is perfect, most wish they had that. NSW is 8.3 Your RO is also Ok. It may be the PU I don't know. But I do not see it being the PU, not just from some LR and all the WC' you have done. It is not the kalk he used. If it is the PU it will work itself out of the system in time but I do not buy the PU theory in your case. __________________ Boomer Want to Talk Chemistry ! The Reef Chemistry Forum Want to See More ! The Coral Realm If you See Me Running You Better Catch-Up An explosion can be defined as a loud noise, accompanied by the sudden going away of things, from a place where they use to be.

11-30-2006, 12:21 PM	#38 (permalink)
Pro_builder DIY Moderator Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Oxford, Iowa Posts: 1,746 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Alk/DKH to high, and why? ok, thanks, should I resume my water change schedule then? Or let it sit for a while longer? __________________ -Troy 180 gallon Reef, 3- 250 XM 15K MH Electronic ballast, 380 watts VHO Actinics, 2- 5 watt LED Moon lights, 100 gal rubbermaid sump, 75 gallon Fuge, ETSS 600 Skimmer, 4700-5400 gph pump for return, Octopus 3000 controller, Iwaki 40 RL skimmer pump, 2- 65w PC 10K fuge lights, 2 55 gallon barrels, Custom light oak stand and hood, misc pumps, extra 600 gallon rated tank size protein skimmer. Purple tang, yellow tang, pacific blue tang, 2 green chromis, 1 Sand sifting star, snails, hermit crabs, 2 mated perculas, pulsing Xenia, Anenome, mushrooms, ricordia, zoanthids, kenya tree 1 1/2" tall, misc other hitchhiker stuff. DIY is my dream... ...well OK the only way I can afford this Addiction!! Just as the light goes on in my head... ... I break the bulb!!

12-03-2006, 12:55 PM	#39 (permalink)
lgerold Scopas Tang Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Brainerd, Mn Posts: 473 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Alk/DKH to high, and why? Hi! What about your salinity? Do you trust your reading? I mention this because my calcium was running very high, and I couldn't get it down. I found out that my salinity readings were way off - reading much lower than actual. So, as I corrected (lowered) my salinity the calcium level dropped into normal range. Justa thought... __________________ Lucy Upgrade from 125 long to 210 on 1/7/07. 66 gallon sump/refugium. 10 hrs of light: 500 watt pc actinic 10 hrs 400 watt pc daylight 6 hrs 500 watt MH 4 hrs 180 lbs branch liverock. 100 lbs + assorted liverock. 3"+ DSB. Fish - Foxface, Yellow Tang, Mimic Tang, 2 Tomato Clowns, pair True Percula Clowns (and their 6 inch pastel green carpet), Mandarin, Scooter Blenny, Bartlett's Anthias, Royal Gramma, Pseudochromis Splendens. Blue/Gold Crocea Clam, Teardrop Squamosa Clam Coral favorites include: 2 Acanastreas, Pink Cynaria, Green Cynaria, Birdsnest, Trumpets, Red and Pink and Green Goniporas (3), Frogspawn (peach favorite), Fox Coral, Diploastrea, Blasto, 3 Fungia (orange, purple, and green) and many others.

12-03-2006, 04:39 PM	#40 (permalink)
Pro_builder DIY Moderator Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Oxford, Iowa Posts: 1,746 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Alk/DKH to high, and why? Salinity is right on at 1.026 by a Refractometer and LFS Refractometer. __________________ -Troy 180 gallon Reef, 3- 250 XM 15K MH Electronic ballast, 380 watts VHO Actinics, 2- 5 watt LED Moon lights, 100 gal rubbermaid sump, 75 gallon Fuge, ETSS 600 Skimmer, 4700-5400 gph pump for return, Octopus 3000 controller, Iwaki 40 RL skimmer pump, 2- 65w PC 10K fuge lights, 2 55 gallon barrels, Custom light oak stand and hood, misc pumps, extra 600 gallon rated tank size protein skimmer. Purple tang, yellow tang, pacific blue tang, 2 green chromis, 1 Sand sifting star, snails, hermit crabs, 2 mated perculas, pulsing Xenia, Anenome, mushrooms, ricordia, zoanthids, kenya tree 1 1/2" tall, misc other hitchhiker stuff. DIY is my dream... ...well OK the only way I can afford this Addiction!! Just as the light goes on in my head... ... I break the bulb!!

12-21-2006, 11:32 AM	#41 (permalink)
Pro_builder DIY Moderator Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Oxford, Iowa Posts: 1,746 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Alk/DKH to high, and why? Just an update Boomer. pH 8.02 Orp 325 Temp 79 Alk 12.2 Ca++ 480 The Alk is dropping, but the Ca++ is still up there a long ways, but also dropping from the previous. All suppliments are still turned off and the water changes have not been done. I am wandering if I shouldn't do a water change to try to raise the pH back were it should be? Or, is there a better way to raise the pH with out raising anything else? Thanks in advance __________________ -Troy 180 gallon Reef, 3- 250 XM 15K MH Electronic ballast, 380 watts VHO Actinics, 2- 5 watt LED Moon lights, 100 gal rubbermaid sump, 75 gallon Fuge, ETSS 600 Skimmer, 4700-5400 gph pump for return, Octopus 3000 controller, Iwaki 40 RL skimmer pump, 2- 65w PC 10K fuge lights, 2 55 gallon barrels, Custom light oak stand and hood, misc pumps, extra 600 gallon rated tank size protein skimmer. Purple tang, yellow tang, pacific blue tang, 2 green chromis, 1 Sand sifting star, snails, hermit crabs, 2 mated perculas, pulsing Xenia, Anenome, mushrooms, ricordia, zoanthids, kenya tree 1 1/2" tall, misc other hitchhiker stuff. DIY is my dream... ...well OK the only way I can afford this Addiction!! Just as the light goes on in my head... ... I break the bulb!!

12-24-2006, 04:27 PM	#42 (permalink)
Pro_builder DIY Moderator Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Oxford, Iowa Posts: 1,746 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Alk/DKH to high, and why? Okay Boomer, I have finally gotten my parameters down were they are supposed to be... ...I think. Orp 308 Temp 79 Alk 10.75 Ca++ 425 But, the pH I can't get above 7.99 and keep it there. I am dropping to 7.5 at night, with fuge light on and 7.99 during the day just before the lights go off. Any suggestions on this? Or do I just need to resume the water changes? __________________ -Troy 180 gallon Reef, 3- 250 XM 15K MH Electronic ballast, 380 watts VHO Actinics, 2- 5 watt LED Moon lights, 100 gal rubbermaid sump, 75 gallon Fuge, ETSS 600 Skimmer, 4700-5400 gph pump for return, Octopus 3000 controller, Iwaki 40 RL skimmer pump, 2- 65w PC 10K fuge lights, 2 55 gallon barrels, Custom light oak stand and hood, misc pumps, extra 600 gallon rated tank size protein skimmer. Purple tang, yellow tang, pacific blue tang, 2 green chromis, 1 Sand sifting star, snails, hermit crabs, 2 mated perculas, pulsing Xenia, Anenome, mushrooms, ricordia, zoanthids, kenya tree 1 1/2" tall, misc other hitchhiker stuff. DIY is my dream... ...well OK the only way I can afford this Addiction!! Just as the light goes on in my head... ... I break the bulb!!

12-25-2006, 01:20 PM	#43 (permalink)
Boomer Reef Sanctuary's Mr. Wizard Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Duluth, Minnesota Posts: 2,201 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Alk/DKH to high, and why? What did you do or did you do anything to make that nice pH you had drop ? __________________ Boomer Want to Talk Chemistry ! The Reef Chemistry Forum Want to See More ! The Coral Realm If you See Me Running You Better Catch-Up An explosion can be defined as a loud noise, accompanied by the sudden going away of things, from a place where they use to be.

12-25-2006, 01:29 PM	#44 (permalink)
Pro_builder DIY Moderator Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Oxford, Iowa Posts: 1,746 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Alk/DKH to high, and why? I haven't done anything yet, including no water changes. It has been over a month since I did a water change, there has been no new additions to the tank, but the coraline has really started to grow on the LR and back glass. The skimmer has almost stopped producing much skimmate too, which I figure is because of the cleanliness of the crystal clear water. he he he lol my orp is down to about 275 right now, with a pH of 7.96. Should I start dripping Kalk again? __________________ -Troy 180 gallon Reef, 3- 250 XM 15K MH Electronic ballast, 380 watts VHO Actinics, 2- 5 watt LED Moon lights, 100 gal rubbermaid sump, 75 gallon Fuge, ETSS 600 Skimmer, 4700-5400 gph pump for return, Octopus 3000 controller, Iwaki 40 RL skimmer pump, 2- 65w PC 10K fuge lights, 2 55 gallon barrels, Custom light oak stand and hood, misc pumps, extra 600 gallon rated tank size protein skimmer. Purple tang, yellow tang, pacific blue tang, 2 green chromis, 1 Sand sifting star, snails, hermit crabs, 2 mated perculas, pulsing Xenia, Anenome, mushrooms, ricordia, zoanthids, kenya tree 1 1/2" tall, misc other hitchhiker stuff. DIY is my dream... ...well OK the only way I can afford this Addiction!! Just as the light goes on in my head... ... I break the bulb!!

12-25-2006, 01:38 PM	#45 (permalink)
Pro_builder DIY Moderator Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Oxford, Iowa Posts: 1,746 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Alk/DKH to high, and why? Maybe I should switch salt brands now????? Since I am still running the Junk brand.... ....IO. __________________ -Troy 180 gallon Reef, 3- 250 XM 15K MH Electronic ballast, 380 watts VHO Actinics, 2- 5 watt LED Moon lights, 100 gal rubbermaid sump, 75 gallon Fuge, ETSS 600 Skimmer, 4700-5400 gph pump for return, Octopus 3000 controller, Iwaki 40 RL skimmer pump, 2- 65w PC 10K fuge lights, 2 55 gallon barrels, Custom light oak stand and hood, misc pumps, extra 600 gallon rated tank size protein skimmer. Purple tang, yellow tang, pacific blue tang, 2 green chromis, 1 Sand sifting star, snails, hermit crabs, 2 mated perculas, pulsing Xenia, Anenome, mushrooms, ricordia, zoanthids, kenya tree 1 1/2" tall, misc other hitchhiker stuff. DIY is my dream... ...well OK the only way I can afford this Addiction!! Just as the light goes on in my head... ... I break the bulb!!

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