ALK too high?

[tontra]

I tested my alkalinity early afternoon today and it read 10.2. What is the optimal level for alk and whats the best time of the day to test?

[prow]

your Alk is not too high. if that 10.2 is in dkh?? there really is no optimal level. it is a balancing act between Ca+, Alk and ph. Alk is also used up by Mg+ and other proccess. to start off try keeping Alk between 2.5-4meq/L or 7-11dKH (dkh is just the german measurement, like meters to yards) and Ca+ levels between 380–450ppm with ph ranging 7.8-8.5 (ph should not swing more than 0.25 with in 24hours). what are your Ca+ and ph levels at? also is the 10.2- dkh or meq/L??
here is a good read about Ca+ and Alk. Calcium and Alkalinity by Randy Holmes-Farley - Reefkeeping.com

here is one on correcting any imbalances you might have. Chemistry and the Aquarium

there are many links within those links for other common issues such ph problems and fixes. just a tip, before you try to fix anything first research and try to determine if there is a problem and if so whats causing the problem. many end up raising the Alk because they are trying to fix what they think is a low ph issue but is really a high Alk issue and adding buffer to raise the ph only makes the Alk issue worse, not that you did just an example of common things people do.

[Woodstock]

Great info Prow!

Your alk is within acceptable range. What is the calcium?

[tontra]

Originally Posted by prow

your Alk is not too high. if that 10.2 is in dkh?? there really is no optimal level. it is a balancing act between Ca+, Alk and ph. Alk is also used up by Mg+ and other proccess. to start off try keeping Alk between 2.5-4meq/L or 7-11dKH (dkh is just the german measurement, like meters to yards) and Ca+ levels between 380–450ppm with ph ranging 7.8-8.5 (ph should not swing more than 0.25 with in 24hours). what are your Ca+ and ph levels at? also is the 10.2- dkh or meq/L??
here is a good read about Ca+ and Alk. Calcium and Alkalinity by Randy Holmes-Farley - Reefkeeping.com

here is one on correcting any imbalances you might have. Chemistry and the Aquarium

there are many links within those links for other common issues such ph problems and fixes. just a tip, before you try to fix anything first research and try to determine if there is a problem and if so whats causing the problem. many end up raising the Alk because they are trying to fix what they think is a low ph issue but is really a high Alk issue and adding buffer to raise the ph only makes the Alk issue worse, not that you did just an example of common things people do.

Thanks for all the useful info, I'll be sure to make good use of it. OK so my calcium is at 360 and my KH has a dKH of 10.2. In the meaurement table of my salifert test kit it says that natural sea water has a dKH of 8 so I assumed I should be aiming for 8. As for my pH, I bought a stupid milwuakee Ph pen and dont know how to use it....

[prow]

Originally Posted by tontra

Thanks for all the useful info, I'll be sure to make good use of it. OK so my calcium is at 360 and my KH has a dKH of 10.2. In the meaurement table of my salifert test kit it says that natural sea water has a dKH of 8 so I assumed I should be aiming for 8. As for my pH, I bought a stupid milwuakee Ph pen and dont know how to use it....

no prob glad to help. yeah natural sea water is about 8dkh but because of the volume of water only a small percentage of the alk is being used up. plus there are proccess that keep things balanced. in our tanks this is not so. the alk gets used up quick. so most keep there alk higher than normal sea water to compensate for this, a safty net you could say. adding balanced sup helps but still alk is used by many things so we end up haveing to forever balance it. the trick is using the right thing.
for you i would use kent turbo Ca to raise your Ca levels to 420ish. get some seachems reef builder(more for your dkh) and seachems reef buffer(more for your ph). both the seachems effect the dkh and ph, its just one effects one value more so than the other and visversa. so do this;

raise your Ca+ with kent turbo Ca+
raise your dkh with reef builder
raise your ph with reef buffer

use these to raise there respective levels tell you get within the "acceptable" ranges.
give this link a read to help you decide what is the best way to dose for your system after you get Ca+, ph and alk with in ranges pick one and your off. ask any questions here there are plenty of people here to that will help you with which ever method works best for you. HAPPY REEFING!!!!!!Chemistry and the Aquarium